WaterVerge

Is Diamond City, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 17 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: AR0000061
Overall Score
73.6 / 100
Violations
17 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#257 of 345 in Arkansas Top 64% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
73.6/100
waterverge.com
B- 73.6/100

Diamond City, AR — Water Quality Report

Diamond City's drinking water received a grade of B- (73.6 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,290 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 30 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Diamond City's water

Diamond City ranks #257 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, Diamond City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
73.6 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
32.6/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
17/20
B
Lead at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Diamond City, AR water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Diamond City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (73.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,290 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

17
Active Violations
4.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Diamond City

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Diamond City's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (73.6/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE LAURA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule, Public Notice.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3215). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Diamond City's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 4.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Diamond City's water system has 30 total violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

RPTTTOtherMONMRMCL
Most recent violations:
May 2021 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open
Jul 2020 Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule Open
Jun 2020 Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule Open
Jun 2020 Public Notice Open
May 2020 Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Boone County has experienced 6 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.

HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3541
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3215
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-865

Where does Diamond City's water come from?

Diamond City's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,290 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Diamond City residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Diamond City's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Diamond City'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
4.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 27% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

30
Total violations
11
Health-based
17
Active / unresolved
May 2021
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

30 Total
17 Active
11 Health-based
13 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
12
Revised Total Coliform Rule
7
Total Coliform Rule
6
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
2
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
May 2021 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2020 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jun 2020 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jun 2020 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
May 2020 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Apr 2020 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Mar 2020 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Feb 2020 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2020 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2020 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Dec 2019 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2019 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2019 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2019 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jun 2016 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2009 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2019 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Nov 2019
Mar 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Mar 2017
Feb 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Feb 2017
Showing 20 of 30 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Boone 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
8.9%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

6
Declared disasters
Aug 2020
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Boone County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Aug 2020
HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA #3541
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3215
May 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #865
Apr 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #375
Jan 1972
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #321
Feb 1969
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #254

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 4.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 4.0 ppb from 1992 (8.0 ppb) to 2002 (4.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Diamond City compares by contaminant

Explore where Diamond City ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,290
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Diamond City's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Diamond City'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 1,290 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Diamond City

System Name PWSID Population Source
DIAMOND CITY WATER AR0000061 1,290 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Diamond City compares

Full Arkansas rankings →

Diamond City's score of 73.6/100 is on par with the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

Diamond City (this city)
73.6
Springdale
79.1
Fort Smith
45.5
Arkansas avg
75
City Profile

About Diamond City, AR

Economic Profile
$39,453
Median Income
$94,667
Median Home Value
$628/mo
Median Rent
1.3%
Unemployment
Community
43.8
Median Age
122
People / sq mi
13.8%
College Educated
75.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Diamond City, AR tap water safe to drink?

Diamond City's water quality earned a grade of B- (73.6/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #257 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.

What contaminants are in Diamond City's water?

Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 30 violations are on record.

How is Diamond City'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 Diamond City?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Diamond City's water come from?

Diamond City's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,290 residents.

What health violations has Diamond City's water system had?

Diamond City has 11 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in May 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 17 violations remain unresolved.

How does Diamond City's water compare to other cities?

Diamond City ranks #257 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 26% of state cities) and #10052 out of 15744 cities nationally (36th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Diamond City's small water system affect quality?

Diamond City's system serves approximately 1,290 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 30 violations on record.