Is Leslie, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
78.7/100
waterverge.com Leslie, AR — Water Quality Report
Leslie's drinking water received a grade of B (78.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 730 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 46 violations on record, including 30 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
What to know about Leslie's water
Leslie ranks #236 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, Leslie may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Leslie, AR water safe to drink?
Leslie's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (78.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 730 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Leslie
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Leslie's water quality assessment. Grade: B (78.7/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4873). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation history
Leslie's water system has 46 total violations on record, including 30 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Searcy 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 Leslie's water come from?
Leslie's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 730 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Leslie residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Leslie'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.
Leslie'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 Leslie
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Leslie, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ROYAL OAK ENTERPRISES-OXLEY LESLIE, AR72645 | — | — | 3.9 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D4 — exceptional droughtSearcy County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 52.3% 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
Searcy 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
No contaminant data available for this city.
See how Leslie compares by contaminant
Explore where Leslie ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Leslie's water comes from
Leslie'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 730 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Leslie
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LESLIE WATER SYSTEM | AR0000500 | 730 | SWP |
How Leslie compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Leslie's score of 78.7/100 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.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Leslie, AR
Wikipedia →Leslie is a city in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. Located within the Boston Mountains, the most rugged subset of The Ozarks, the city was founded as a railroad and lumber town. Renamed from the original Wiley's Cove in 1887, the city saw prosperity relating to these industries through the 1920s. Several properties in Leslie are listed on the National Register of Historic Places throughout the city. As of the 2020 census, Leslie had a population of 375.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Leslie's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Searcy
Frequently asked questions
Is Leslie, AR tap water safe to drink?
Leslie's water quality earned a grade of B (78.7/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #236 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Leslie's water?
46 violations are on record.
How is Leslie'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 Leslie?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Leslie's water come from?
Leslie's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 730 residents.
What health violations has Leslie's water system had?
Leslie has 30 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.
How does Leslie's water compare to other cities?
Leslie ranks #236 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 32% of state cities) and #8580 out of 15744 cities nationally (46th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Leslie's small water system affect quality?
Leslie's system serves approximately 730 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 46 violations on record.