Is Palestine, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
92.7/100
waterverge.com Palestine, AR — Water Quality Report
Palestine'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 1,649 residents using purchased ground 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 6 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Palestine's water
Palestine ranks #51 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Palestine purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 3.51 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
As a small community water system, Palestine may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Palestine, AR water safe to drink?
Palestine's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (92.7/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,649 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Palestine
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Palestine's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92.7/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4873). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Violation history
Palestine's water system has 6 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
St. Francis County has experienced 7 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. Local water sources include Languille River At Palestine.
Where does Palestine's water come from?
Palestine's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,649 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Languille River At Palestine (river).
What Palestine residents can do
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.
Palestine'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 Palestine
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Palestine, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
BOAR'S HEAD PROVISIONS CO INC. - FORREST CITY FORREST CITY, AR72335 | — | — | 5.7 mi |
FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS FORREST CITY, AR72335 | — | — | 6.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtSaint Francis County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 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
St. Francis County has experienced 7 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 Palestine compares by contaminant
Explore where Palestine ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Palestine's water comes from
Palestine purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Palestine's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,649 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Palestine
Palestine is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Palestine
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PALESTINE WATER ASSOCIATION | AR0000536 | 1,649 | GWP |
How Palestine compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Palestine's score of 92.7/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Palestine, AR
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Palestine's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across St. Francis
Frequently asked questions
Is Palestine, AR tap water safe to drink?
Palestine'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 #51 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Palestine's water?
6 violations are on record.
How is Palestine'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 Palestine?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Palestine's water come from?
Palestine's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,649 residents.
Is Palestine's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Palestine 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 6 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 Palestine's water compare to other cities?
Palestine ranks #51 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 85% of state cities) and #1142 out of 15744 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 Palestine's small water system affect quality?
Palestine's system serves approximately 1,649 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 6 violations on record.