01The verdict: is Bull Shoals water safe?
Bull Shoals's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (87.3/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,835 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
2 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
6 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Bull Shoals's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,835 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 17 violations on record, including 15 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Bull Shoals ranks #145 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. As a small community water system, Bull Shoals may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Bull Shoals's water
Every contaminant flagged in Bull Shoals, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 4.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Arkansas
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Arkansas
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Bull Shoals's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 17 violations on record, including 15 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
8 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 2 ppb since 1992. Latest reading: 4 ppb (2004) — 27% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Bull Shoals's water comes from
Bull Shoals's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems (1 wholesaler), operated under local government ownership.
2,835 people
Residents served across Bull Shoals's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,835 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BULL SHOALS WATER SYSTEM | AR0000352 | 2,835 | Purchased Surface Water |
| MARION COUNTY REG WATER DIST | AR0000770 | — | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Bull Shoals
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Bull Shoals's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Bull Shoals's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
4 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
6 federal disaster declarations on record for Marion County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Bull Shoals compares
Scores for nearby Arkansas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Arkansas average (75/100)
Bull Shoals scores 87.3/100 — above the Arkansas average of 75/100. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities. Full Arkansas rankings →
69.3 / 100DFayetteville, AR
46.4 / 100BSpringdale, AR
79.1 / 100DFort Smith, AR
45.5 / 100BHot Springs, AR
81.2 / 100BRogers, AR
71.9 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Bull Shoals's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Bull Shoals's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Bull Shoals alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Bull Shoals, AR tap water safe to drink?
Bull Shoals's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #145 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Bull Shoals's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 17 violations are on record.
How is Bull Shoals's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Bull Shoals?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Bull Shoals's water come from?
Bull Shoals's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,835 residents.
What health violations has Bull Shoals's water system had?
Bull Shoals has 15 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2018. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Bull Shoals's water compare to other cities?
Bull Shoals ranks #145 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 58% of state cities) and #4102 out of 15382 cities nationally (73th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.