Is Caldwell, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Caldwell ranks. What to do next ↓
93.8/100
waterverge.com Caldwell, AR — Water Quality Report
Caldwell's drinking water received a grade of A (93.8 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,585 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead data is not currently available for this system. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 3 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Caldwell's water
Caldwell ranks #29 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Caldwell purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Caldwell may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Caldwell, AR water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Caldwell's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (93.8/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,585 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Caldwell
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Caldwell's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.8/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4873). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Violation history
Caldwell's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
Flood & environmental risk
St. Francis County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Languille River Near Colt, Languille River At Palestine.
Where does Caldwell's water come from?
Caldwell's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,585 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Languille River Near Colt (river), Languille River At Palestine (river).
What Caldwell residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Caldwell's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Caldwell
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Caldwell, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
BOAR'S HEAD PROVISIONS CO INC. - FORREST CITY FORREST CITY, AR72335 | — | — | 5.5 mi |
FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS FORREST CITY, AR72335 | — | — | 6.6 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtSaint Francis County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
St. Francis County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
No contaminant data available for this city.
See how Caldwell compares by contaminant
Explore where Caldwell ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Caldwell's water comes from
Caldwell purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Caldwell's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,585 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Caldwell
Caldwell is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Caldwell
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CALDWELL WATER | AR0000532 | 1,585 | GWP |
How Caldwell compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Caldwell's score of 93.8/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Caldwell, AR
Wikipedia →Caldwell is a town in St. Francis County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 451 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Caldwell's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across St. Francis
Frequently asked questions
Is Caldwell, AR tap water safe to drink?
Caldwell's water quality earned a grade of A (93.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #29 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Caldwell's water?
3 violations are on record.
How is Caldwell'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 Caldwell?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Caldwell's water come from?
Caldwell's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,585 residents.
What health violations has Caldwell's water system had?
Caldwell has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2010. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is Caldwell's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Caldwell uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 3 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Caldwell's water compare to other cities?
Caldwell ranks #29 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 92% of state cities) and #724 out of 15744 cities nationally (95th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Caldwell's small water system affect quality?
Caldwell's system serves approximately 1,585 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 3 violations on record.