01The verdict: is North Little Rock water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, North Little Rock's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (92.7/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,500 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in North Little Rock's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 5.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓North Little Rock's drinking water received a grade of A (92.7 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,500 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.0 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 2 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
North Little Rock ranks #52 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it above 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, North Little Rock may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in North Little Rock's water
Every contaminant flagged in North Little Rock, 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. | 5.0 | 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
03North Little Rock'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 2 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for North Little Rock.
▲ Up 1 ppb since 2000. Latest reading: 5 ppb (2003) — 33% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where North Little Rock's water comes from
North Little Rock'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 state ownership.
1,500 people
Residents served across North Little Rock'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 state ownership and serves approximately 1,500 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAMP ROBINSON | AR0000877 | 1,500 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near North Little Rock
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence North Little Rock's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on North Little Rock'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
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 844 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
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Pulaski County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
Drought
Pulaski County is in D2 (severe 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 North Little Rock compares
Scores for nearby Arkansas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Arkansas average (75/100)
North Little Rock scores 92.7/100 — above the Arkansas average of 75/100. It outscores 9 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 North Little Rock's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
North Little Rock's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
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 North Little Rock 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 North Little Rock, AR tap water safe to drink?
North Little Rock's water quality earned a grade of A (92.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #52 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in North Little Rock's water?
Lead was measured at 5.0 ppb (90th percentile). 2 violations are on record.
How is North Little Rock'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 North Little Rock?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does North Little Rock's water come from?
North Little Rock's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,500 residents.
What health violations has North Little Rock's water system had?
North Little Rock has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2013. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
How does North Little Rock's water compare to other cities?
North Little Rock ranks #52 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 85% of state cities) and #1141 out of 15382 cities nationally (93th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does North Little Rock's small water system affect quality?
North Little Rock's system serves approximately 1,500 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 2 violations on record.