Is Lead Hill, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded F, with 38 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
43/100
waterverge.com Lead Hill, AR — Water Quality Report
Lead Hill's drinking water received a grade of F (43 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 585 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 82 violations on record, including 29 health-based violations. 38 remain unresolved.
What to know about Lead Hill's water
Lead Hill ranks #331 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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, Lead Hill may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 35 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Lead Hill, AR water safe to drink?
Lead Hill's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (43/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 585 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Lead Hill
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lead Hill's water quality assessment. Grade: F (43/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.
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.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Lead Hill's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Lead Hill's water system has 82 total violations on record, including 29 health-based violations. 38 remain unresolved. 35 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
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.
Where does Lead Hill's water come from?
Lead Hill's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 585 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Lead Hill residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Lead Hill's water.
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.
Lead Hill'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Lead Hill
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Lead Hill, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
TYSON POULTRY INC BERGMAN FEED MILL BERGMAN, AR72615 | — | — | 8.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D4 — exceptional droughtMarion County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 8.3% of the county is in D4 (exceptional) drought. 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
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.
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. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Lead Hill compares by contaminant
Explore where Lead Hill ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Lead Hill's water comes from
Lead Hill'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 585 people through 3 water systems.
Water systems serving Lead Hill
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEAD HILL WATERWORKS | AR0000063 | 525 | SWP |
| LAKE BULL SHOALS ESTATES WATER | AR0000031 | 60 | SWP |
| OZARK MTN REGIONAL PWA | AR0000998 | — | SW |
How Lead Hill compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Lead Hill's score of 43/100 is below the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. 10 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Lead Hill, AR
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Lead Hill's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Boone
Frequently asked questions
Is Lead Hill, AR tap water safe to drink?
Lead Hill's water quality earned a grade of F (43/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #331 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Lead Hill's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 82 violations are on record.
How is Lead Hill'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 Lead Hill?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Lead Hill's water come from?
Lead Hill's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 585 residents.
What health violations has Lead Hill's water system had?
Lead Hill has 29 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 38 violations remain unresolved.
How does Lead Hill's water compare to other cities?
Lead Hill ranks #331 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 4% of state cities) and #14715 out of 15744 cities nationally (7th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.