WaterVerge

Is Taylor, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?

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

2K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: AR0000858
Overall Score
41 / 100
Violations
22 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#335 of 345 in Arkansas Top 96% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
FGRADE
Water Quality Grade
41/100
waterverge.com
F 41/100

Taylor, AR — Water Quality Report

Taylor's drinking water received a grade of F (41 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,906 residents using groundwater.

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 33 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 22 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Taylor's water

Taylor ranks #335 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

Taylor relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

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

The system has seen 18 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
41 out of 100 Grade F
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
19/20
A
Lead at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Taylor, AR water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Taylor's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (41/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,906 residents using groundwater (wells).

22
Active Violations
2.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Taylor

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Taylor's water quality assessment. Grade: F (41/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE LAURA

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

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3215). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Taylor's water system has 33 total violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 22 remain unresolved. 18 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherRPTMONTTMCLMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Apr 2025 Public Notice Open
Feb 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open
Jan 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open
Dec 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Columbia County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 Bayou Dorcheat Near Springhill, Bodcau Bayou Near Springhill.

HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3541
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3215
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS
Flood FEMA DR-1176

Where does Taylor's water come from?

Taylor's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,906 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Bayou Dorcheat Near Springhill (river), Bodcau Bayou Near Springhill (river).

What Taylor residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Taylor'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
2.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 13% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

33
Total violations
13
Health-based
22
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

33 Total
22 Active
13 Health-based
11 Resolved
Violations by category
Revised Total Coliform Rule
10
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
9
Total Coliform Rule
9
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
4
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Apr 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Feb 2025 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jan 2025 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Dec 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jun 2024 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
May 2024 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Apr 2024 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Mar 2024 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Feb 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Feb 2024 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jan 2024 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Dec 2023 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Dec 2023 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Apr 2018 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jun 2017 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Mar 2017 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 33 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Taylor

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
TEIJIN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES LOUISIANA LLC
Plastics and Rubber · TEIJIN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES INC
SAREPTA, LA71071
9.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Columbia 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)
14.5%
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

Columbia County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Aug 2020
HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA #3541
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3215
Apr 1997
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS
Flood FEMA #1176
May 1991
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #907
May 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #865
Jun 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #437

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.0 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 1.0 ppb from 1993 (1.0 ppb) to 2003 (2.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
1,906
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Taylor's water comes from

Groundwater

Taylor's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 1,906 people through 2 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Taylor

Taylor is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Bayou Dorcheat Near Springhill
river
Bodcau Bayou Near Springhill
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Taylor

System Name PWSID Population Source
WALKER CREEK STATELINE RWA AR0000858 1,340 GW
TAYLOR WATERWORKS AR0000114 566 GW
Regional Comparison

How Taylor compares

Full Arkansas rankings →

Taylor's score of 41/100 is below the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. 10 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

Taylor (this city)
41
Springdale
79.1
Fort Smith
45.5
Arkansas avg
75
City Profile

About Taylor, AR

Wikipedia →

Taylor is a city in Columbia County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, Taylor had a population of 579.

Economic Profile
$47,500
Median Income
$83,329
Median Home Value
$944/mo
Median Rent
0%
Unemployment
Community
40.4
Median Age
264
People / sq mi
14.6%
College Educated
82.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Taylor, AR tap water safe to drink?

Taylor's water quality earned a grade of F (41/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #335 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.

What contaminants are in Taylor's water?

Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 33 violations are on record.

How is Taylor'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 Taylor?

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

Where does Taylor's water come from?

Taylor's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,906 residents.

What health violations has Taylor's water system had?

Taylor has 13 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. 22 violations remain unresolved.

Is Taylor's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Taylor 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 33 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 Taylor's water compare to other cities?

Taylor ranks #335 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 3% of state cities) and #15071 out of 15744 cities nationally (4th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.