Is Cove, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Cove ranks. What to do next ↓
82.9/100
waterverge.com Cove, AR — Water Quality Report
Cove's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 651 residents using purchased surface 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 11 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Cove's water
Cove ranks #206 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it below average 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, Cove may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Cove, AR water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Cove's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of B+ (82.9/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 651 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Cove
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Cove's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.9/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3215). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation history
Cove's water system has 11 total violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Polk County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Cove's water come from?
Cove's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 651 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Cove 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.
Cove'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 Cove
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Cove, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
HATFIELD LUMBER CO HATFIELD, AR71945 | — | — | 4.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtPolk 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
Polk County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Cove compares by contaminant
Explore where Cove ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Cove's water comes from
Cove's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
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 651 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Cove
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| COVE WATERWORKS | AR0000439 | 651 | SWP |
How Cove compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Cove's score of 82.9/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Cove, AR
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Cove's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Polk
Frequently asked questions
Is Cove, AR tap water safe to drink?
Cove's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #206 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Cove's water?
11 violations are on record.
How is Cove'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 Cove?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Cove's water come from?
Cove's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 651 residents.
What health violations has Cove's water system had?
Cove has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
How does Cove's water compare to other cities?
Cove ranks #206 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 40% of state cities) and #6708 out of 15744 cities nationally (57th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Cove's small water system affect quality?
Cove's system serves approximately 651 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 11 violations on record.