WaterVerge

Is Subiaco, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded C+, with 7 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

783 residents served 2 water systems PWSID: AR0000135
Overall Score
66.4 / 100
Violations
7 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#281 of 345 in Arkansas Top 72% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
C+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
66.4/100
waterverge.com
C+ 66.4/100

Subiaco, AR — Water Quality Report

Subiaco's drinking water received a grade of C+ (66.4 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 783 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 3.0 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 90 violations on record, including 64 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Subiaco's water

Subiaco ranks #281 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.

As a small community water system, Subiaco may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
66.4 out of 100 Grade C+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
18.4/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
19/20
A
Lead at 3.0 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: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Subiaco, AR water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Subiaco's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (66.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 783 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

7
Active Violations
3.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Subiaco

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Subiaco's water quality assessment. Grade: C+ (66.4/100).

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

3 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.

Disaster
HURRICANE LAURA

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

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

3 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

2 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

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

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Subiaco's water system has 90 total violations on record, including 64 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MCLMROtherTT
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 TTHM Resolved
Jul 2025 TTHM Resolved
Jul 2025 TTHM Resolved
Apr 2020 TTHM Resolved
Apr 2020 TTHM Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Logan 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.

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

Where does Subiaco's water come from?

Subiaco's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 783 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Subiaco residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Subiaco'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
3.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 20% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

90
Total violations
64
Health-based
7
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

90 Total
7 Active
64 Health-based
83 Resolved
8 SNC
Violations by category
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
41
Surface Water Treatment Rule
16
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
11
Total Coliform Rule
10
Interim and Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
4
Apr 2016 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2009 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2002 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2002 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2025 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2025
Jul 2025 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2025
Jul 2025 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2025
Apr 2020 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Jun 2020
Apr 2020 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Jun 2020
Apr 2020 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Jun 2020
Mar 2020 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved May 2020
Mar 2020 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved May 2020
Jan 2020 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Mar 2020
Oct 2019 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Dec 2019
Oct 2019 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Dec 2019
May 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2017
Aug 2015 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 2015
Showing 20 of 90 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Subiaco

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 450,082 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
TYSON POULTRY INC.
Food · TYSON FOODS INC
SCRANTON, AR72863
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)450,0826.7 mi
BUTTERBALL LLC
Food · SEABOARD CORP
ALIX, AR72820
8.3 mi
AAM METAL FORMING - SUBIACO
Transportation Equipment · AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS INC
SUBIACO, AR72865
0.3 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Logan 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)
11.6%
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

7
Declared disasters
Aug 2020
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Logan 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.

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 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3215
May 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #865
Jan 1972
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #321

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 3.0 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 increased by 3.0 ppb from 1992 (2.0 ppb) to 2004 (5.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
783
Water Systems
2
Source breakdown
Purchased Surface Water
1
Surface Water
1
Water Source

Where Subiaco's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Subiaco'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 783 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Subiaco

System Name PWSID Population Source
SUBIACO CITY WATERWORKS AR0000135 533 SWP
SUBIACO ACADEMY WATERWORKS AR0000334 250 SW
Regional Comparison

How Subiaco compares

Full Arkansas rankings →

Subiaco's score of 66.4/100 is below the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 2 of 10 nearby cities. 8 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

Subiaco (this city)
66.4
Springdale
79.1
Fort Smith
45.5
Arkansas avg
75
City Profile

About Subiaco, AR

Economic Profile
$55,227
Median Income
$129,205
Median Home Value
$450/mo
Median Rent
15.3%
Unemployment
Community
32.8
Median Age
103
People / sq mi
19.2%
College Educated
89.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Subiaco, AR tap water safe to drink?

Subiaco's water quality earned a grade of C+ (66.4/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #281 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.

What contaminants are in Subiaco's water?

Lead was measured at 3.0 ppb (90th percentile). 90 violations are on record.

How is Subiaco'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 Subiaco?

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

Where does Subiaco's water come from?

Subiaco's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 783 residents.

What health violations has Subiaco's water system had?

Subiaco has 64 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 7 violations remain unresolved.

How does Subiaco's water compare to other cities?

Subiaco ranks #281 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 19% of state cities) and #11381 out of 15744 cities nationally (28th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.