WaterVerge

Is Marmaduke, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

4K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: AR0000483
Overall Score
92.2 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#60 of 345 in Arkansas Top 9% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
92.2/100
waterverge.com
A 92.2/100

Marmaduke, AR — Water Quality Report

Marmaduke's drinking water received a grade of A (92.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,993 residents using groundwater.

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 18 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Marmaduke's water

Marmaduke ranks #60 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Marmaduke relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
92.2 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
19/20
A
Lead at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Marmaduke, AR water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Marmaduke's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (92.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,993 residents using groundwater (wells).

3
Active Violations
2.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Marmaduke

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Marmaduke's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92.2/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4873). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE LAURA

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Marmaduke's water system has 18 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

MROtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Dec 2010 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2004 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Dec 2003 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Sep 2002 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Aug 2002 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Greene 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.

SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4873
HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3541
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3215

Where does Marmaduke's water come from?

Marmaduke's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 3,993 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Marmaduke residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Monitor alerts during storms

Marmaduke'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
2.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 13% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

18
Total violations
4
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
Dec 2010
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

18 Total
3 Active
4 Health-based
15 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
15
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Dec 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Dec 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Sep 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2002
Aug 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2002
Jul 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2002
Jul 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2002
May 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2002
Dec 2001 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2001
Oct 2001 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 2001
Dec 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2000
Nov 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2000
Jul 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 1996
Dec 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Dec 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Other Violation Resolved Dec 1995
Mar 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1992
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Marmaduke

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Marmaduke, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 81 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Transportation Equipment · TENNECO INC
PARAGOULD, AR72450
Zinc compounds469.7 mi
GRT RUBBER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Plastics and Rubber · GRT RUBBER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
PARAGOULD, AR72450
Zinc compounds229.0 mi
PRYSMIAN CABLES & SYSTEMS USA LLC
Primary Metals · PRYSMIAN CABLES & SYSTEMS (US) INC
PARAGOULD, AR72450
Copper149.5 mi
GREENBRIER CENTRAL LLC
Transportation Equipment · GREENBRIER COS
MARMADUKE, AR72443
0.5 mi
ANCHOR PACKAGING INC
Chemicals · ANCHOR PACKAGING INC
MARMADUKE, AR72443
0.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D4 — exceptional drought

Greene County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 0.6% 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
12.5%
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
May 2025
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Greene 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.

May 2025
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4873
Aug 2020
HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA #3541
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3215
Apr 1997
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS
Flood FEMA #1176
Apr 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #375
Feb 1969
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #254

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.0 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 increased by 1.0 ppb from 1993 (1.0 ppb) to 2003 (2.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
3,993
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Marmaduke's water comes from

Groundwater

Marmaduke's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 3,993 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Marmaduke

System Name PWSID Population Source
LAFE REGIONAL WATER DISTRIBUTION DISTRIC AR0000483 2,583 GW
MARMADUKE WATERWORKS AR0000225 1,410 GW
Regional Comparison

How Marmaduke compares

Full Arkansas rankings →

Marmaduke's score of 92.2/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Marmaduke (this city)
92.2
Springdale
79.1
Fort Smith
45.5
Arkansas avg
75
City Profile

About Marmaduke, AR

Wikipedia →

Marmaduke is a city in Greene County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,212 in 2020.

Economic Profile
$48,021
Median Income
$104,413
Median Home Value
$732/mo
Median Rent
5.8%
Unemployment
Community
30.9
Median Age
418
People / sq mi
15.5%
College Educated
43.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Marmaduke, AR tap water safe to drink?

Marmaduke's water quality earned a grade of A (92.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #60 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.

What contaminants are in Marmaduke's water?

Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 18 violations are on record.

How is Marmaduke'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 Marmaduke?

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

Where does Marmaduke's water come from?

Marmaduke's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 3,993 residents.

What health violations has Marmaduke's water system had?

Marmaduke has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2010. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.

Is Marmaduke's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Marmaduke uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 18 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Marmaduke's water compare to other cities?

Marmaduke ranks #60 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 83% of state cities) and #1334 out of 15744 cities nationally (92th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.