Is Rosston, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D — but Chlorate was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
46/100
waterverge.com Rosston, AR — Water Quality Report
Rosston's drinking water received a grade of D (46 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,180 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 63 violations on record, including 44 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
What to know about Rosston's water
Rosston ranks #323 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.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.13 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, Rosston may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 22 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Rosston, AR water safe to drink?
Rosston's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (46/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,180 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Rosston
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Rosston's water quality assessment. Grade: D (46/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4873). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Rosston's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Rosston's water system has 63 total violations on record, including 44 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved. 22 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Nevada County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1991. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Rosston's water come from?
Rosston's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 2,180 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Rosston residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Rosston's water.
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.
Rosston'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
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtNevada 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
Nevada County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1991. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Rosston compares by contaminant
Explore where Rosston ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Rosston's water comes from
Rosston'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 private ownership and serves approximately 2,180 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving Rosston
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BODCAW RURAL WATER SYSTEM | AR0000887 | 1,430 | SWP |
| ROSSTON WATER DEPARTMENT | AR0000395 | 750 | GW |
How Rosston compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Rosston's score of 46/100 is below the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. 9 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Rosston, AR
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Rosston's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Hempstead
Frequently asked questions
Is Rosston, AR tap water safe to drink?
Rosston's water quality earned a grade of D (46/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #323 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Rosston's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 63 violations are on record.
How is Rosston'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 Rosston?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Rosston's water come from?
Rosston's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,180 residents.
What health violations has Rosston's water system had?
Rosston has 44 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in February 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 14 violations remain unresolved.
How does Rosston's water compare to other cities?
Rosston ranks #323 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 6% of state cities) and #14014 out of 15744 cities nationally (11th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.