01The verdict: is New Blaine water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, New Blaine's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of B+ (80.1/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,263 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in New Blaine's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓3 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓New Blaine's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,263 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 7.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 14 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
New Blaine ranks #227 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, New Blaine may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in New Blaine's water
Every contaminant flagged in New Blaine, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 7.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Arkansas
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Arkansas
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03New Blaine's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 14 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
7 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 5 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 7 ppb (2003) — 47% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where New Blaine's water comes from
New Blaine's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,263 people
Residents served across New Blaine's service area.
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 2,263 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAST LOGAN CO RURAL WATER | AR0000809 | 2,263 | Purchased Surface Water |
05Pressure on New Blaine's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Logan County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Logan County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How New Blaine compares
Scores for nearby Arkansas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Arkansas average (75/100)
New Blaine scores 80.1/100 — above the Arkansas average of 75/100. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities. Full Arkansas rankings →
69.3 / 100DFayetteville, AR
46.4 / 100BSpringdale, AR
79.1 / 100DFort Smith, AR
45.5 / 100BHot Springs, AR
81.2 / 100BRogers, AR
71.9 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in New Blaine's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 7.0 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for New Blaine alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is New Blaine, AR tap water safe to drink?
New Blaine's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #227 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in New Blaine's water?
Lead was measured at 7.0 ppb (90th percentile). 14 violations are on record.
How is New Blaine'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 New Blaine?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Blaine's water come from?
New Blaine's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,263 residents.
What health violations has New Blaine's water system had?
New Blaine has 11 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
How does New Blaine's water compare to other cities?
New Blaine ranks #227 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 34% of state cities) and #7917 out of 15382 cities nationally (49th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Blaine's small water system affect quality?
New Blaine's system serves approximately 2,263 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 14 violations on record.