01The verdict: is Pleasant Grove water safe?
Pleasant Grove's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of C+ (68.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,862 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Lead is over its legal limit
Measured at 45.0 ppb against the EPA Action Level of 15 ppb. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓A flood-prone service area
7 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Pleasant Grove's drinking water received a grade of C+ (68.6 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,862 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 45.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 72 violations on record, including 44 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Pleasant Grove ranks #277 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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. Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water. As a small community water system, Pleasant Grove may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Pleasant Grove's water
Every contaminant flagged in Pleasant Grove, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Exceeds the EPA action level. Lead enters at the service line, not the treatment plant — your address matters more than the city average. Lead service line replacement and an NSF 53-certified point-of-use filter are recommended.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. | 45.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
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
03Pleasant Grove'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 72 violations on record, including 44 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Pleasant Grove.
▲ Up 44 ppb since 1992. The latest reading (45 ppb, 2010) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Pleasant Grove's water comes from
Pleasant Grove'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.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,862 people
Residents served across Pleasant Grove'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 2,862 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLEASANT GROVE | AR0000720 | 2,613 | Purchased Surface Water |
| GUION WATER DEPARTMENT | AR0000626 | 249 | Purchased Surface Water |
05Pressure on Pleasant Grove'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.
Flood & storm history
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Craighead County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Izard County is in D1 (moderate 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 Pleasant Grove compares
Scores for nearby Arkansas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Arkansas average (75/100)
Pleasant Grove scores 68.6/100 — below the Arkansas average of 75/100. It outscores 2 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 Pleasant Grove's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. Lead level (45.0 ppb) exceeds the EPA action level of 15 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 Pleasant Grove 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 Pleasant Grove, AR tap water safe to drink?
Pleasant Grove's water quality earned a grade of C+ (68.6/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #277 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Pleasant Grove's water?
Lead was measured at 45.0 ppb (90th percentile). 72 violations are on record.
How is Pleasant Grove'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 Pleasant Grove?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Pleasant Grove's water come from?
Pleasant Grove's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,862 residents.
What health violations has Pleasant Grove's water system had?
Pleasant Grove has 44 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2008. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Pleasant Grove's water compare to other cities?
Pleasant Grove ranks #277 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 20% of state cities) and #10885 out of 15382 cities nationally (29th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.