WaterVerge

Is Lamer, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: AR0000288
Overall Score
90.2 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#92 of 345 in Arkansas Top 15% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90.2/100
waterverge.com
A 90.2/100

Lamer, AR — Water Quality Report

Lamer's drinking water received a grade of A (90.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,885 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 19 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Lamer's water

Lamer ranks #92 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, Lamer may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90.2 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
42.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
19/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Lamer, AR water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Lamer's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (90.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,885 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

2
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Lamer

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lamer's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Lamer's water system has 19 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MONRPTMCLMROther
Most recent violations:
Oct 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jun 2021 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open
Jun 2015 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Aug 2013 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2010 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Where does Lamer's water come from?

Lamer's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,885 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Lamer residents can do

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.

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
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

19
Total violations
2
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Oct 2023
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

19 Total
2 Active
2 Health-based
17 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
13
Revised Total Coliform Rule
2
Surface Water Treatment Rule
2
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Jun 2021 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2023 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Oct 2023
Jun 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2015
Aug 2013 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2013
Jul 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2010
Jun 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2010
Aug 2004 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2004
Apr 2004 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2004
Aug 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2003
Jun 2001 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2001
Mar 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2000
Oct 1999 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation Resolved Nov 1999
May 1999 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 1999
Aug 1997 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 1997
Aug 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Other Violation Resolved Aug 1996
Aug 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 1996
Mar 1994 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Other Violation Resolved Mar 1994
Mar 1994 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1994
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Johnson 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)
8.6%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 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 1.0 ppb from 1993 (2.0 ppb) to 2002 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,885
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Lamer's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Lamer'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 1,885 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Lamer

System Name PWSID Population Source
LAMAR WATERWORKS AR0000288 1,885 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Lamer compares

Full Arkansas rankings →

Lamer's score of 90.2/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Lamer (this city)
90.2
Springdale
79.1
Fort Smith
45.5
Arkansas avg
75
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Lamer, AR tap water safe to drink?

Lamer's water quality earned a grade of A (90.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #92 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.

What contaminants are in Lamer's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 19 violations are on record.

How is Lamer'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 Lamer?

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

Where does Lamer's water come from?

Lamer's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,885 residents.

What health violations has Lamer's water system had?

Lamer has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.

How does Lamer's water compare to other cities?

Lamer ranks #92 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 73% of state cities) and #2362 out of 15744 cities nationally (85th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Lamer's small water system affect quality?

Lamer's system serves approximately 1,885 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 19 violations on record.