WaterVerge

Is Perryville, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B, with 22 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

7K residents served 3 water systems PWSID: AR0000413
Overall Score
78.8 / 100
Violations
22 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Surface water
#235 of 345 in Arkansas Top 54% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
78.8/100
waterverge.com
B 78.8/100

Perryville, AR — Water Quality Report

Perryville's drinking water received a grade of B (78.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 6,793 residents using surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 115 violations on record, including 55 health-based violations. 22 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Perryville's water

Perryville ranks #235 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.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
78.8 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
29.8/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Surface water.
Water Safety

Is Perryville, AR water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Perryville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (78.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 6,793 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

22
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
8 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Perryville

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Perryville's water quality assessment. Grade: B (78.8/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE LAURA

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

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4441). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Surface Water Treatment Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Perryville's water system has 115 total violations on record, including 55 health-based violations. 22 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRMONTTMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2019 Surface Water Treatment Rule Resolved
Jun 2017 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2016 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2016 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Perry County has experienced 8 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 Arkansas River Near Morrilton, Fourche La Fave River Near Houston, Maumelle River At Williams Junction, Maumelle River West Of Wye, Maumelle River Near Wye.

HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3541
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4441
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-3414

Where does Perryville's water come from?

Perryville's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 6,793 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Arkansas River Near Morrilton (river), Fourche La Fave River Near Houston (river), Maumelle River At Williams Junction (river), Maumelle River West Of Wye (river), Maumelle River Near Wye (river).

What Perryville residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Perryville'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
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

115
Total violations
55
Health-based
22
Active / unresolved
Jul 2021
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

115 Total
22 Active
55 Health-based
93 Resolved
Violations by category
Surface Water Treatment Rule
54
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
17
Total Coliform Rule
17
Miscellaneous Other Rules
9
Consumer Confidence Rule
5
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
May 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Apr 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Mar 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Feb 2015 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Feb 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2015 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Dec 2014 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2014 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2014 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jul 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2009 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2007 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2003 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
May 2003 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2002 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Showing 20 of 115 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Perryville

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 45,368 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
GREEN BAY PACKAGING INC. ARKANSAS KRAFT DIV
Paper · GREEN BAY PACKAGING INC
MORRILTON, AR72110
Manganese compounds45,3687.1 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Perry 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
10.1%
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

8
Declared disasters
Aug 2020
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Perry County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Aug 2020
HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA #3541
Jun 2019
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4441
May 2019
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #3414
Sep 2008
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING ASSOCIATED WITH HURRICANE GUSTAV
Hurricane FEMA #1793
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3215
May 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #865

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 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 decreased by 6.0 ppb from 1993 (7.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
6,793
Water Systems
3
Source breakdown
Surface Water
1
Purchased Surface Water
1
Groundwater
1
Water Source

Where Perryville's water comes from

Surface Water

Perryville'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 6,793 people through 3 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Perryville

Perryville is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Arkansas River Near Morrilton
river
Fourche La Fave River Near Houston
river
Maumelle River At Williams Junction
river
Maumelle River West Of Wye
river
Maumelle River Near Wye
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Perryville

System Name PWSID Population Source
PERRYVILLE WATERWORKS AR0000413 5,538 SW
HOUSTON WATERWORKS AR0000414 650 SWP
BIGELOW WATERWORKS AR0000411 605 GW
Regional Comparison

How Perryville compares

Full Arkansas rankings →

Perryville's score of 78.8/100 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.

Perryville (this city)
78.8
Springdale
79.1
Fort Smith
45.5
Arkansas avg
75
City Profile

About Perryville, AR

Wikipedia →

Perryville is a city in and the county seat of Perry County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, Perryville had a population of 1,373. It is part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metropolitan area.

Economic Profile
$53,929
Median Income
$109,284
Median Home Value
$605/mo
Median Rent
3.9%
Unemployment
Community
43.7
Median Age
118
People / sq mi
12.2%
College Educated
66.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Perryville, AR tap water safe to drink?

Perryville's water quality earned a grade of B (78.8/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #235 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.

What contaminants are in Perryville's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 115 violations are on record.

How is Perryville'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 Perryville?

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

Where does Perryville's water come from?

Perryville's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 6,793 residents.

What health violations has Perryville's water system had?

Perryville has 55 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 22 violations remain unresolved.

How does Perryville's water compare to other cities?

Perryville ranks #235 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 32% of state cities) and #8504 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.