01The verdict: is Tillar water safe?
Tillar's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 535 residents using groundwater (wells).
7 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 2.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
5 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Tillar's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 535 residents using purchased ground 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 30 violations on record, including 12 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
Tillar ranks #142 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Tillar purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. As a small community water system, Tillar may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Tillar's water
Every contaminant flagged in Tillar, 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.
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 |
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
03Tillar'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 30 violations on record, including 12 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Tillar.
▼ Down 0 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 2 ppb (2004) — 13% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Tillar's water comes from
Tillar purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under private ownership.
535 people
Residents served across Tillar's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Tillar's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 535 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WKMM RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION | AR0000700 | 310 | Purchased Groundwater |
| TILLAR WATERWORKS | AR0000186 | 225 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Tillar
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Tillar'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.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
5 federal disaster declarations on record for Drew County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Drew County is in D4 (exceptional 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 Tillar compares
Scores for nearby Arkansas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Arkansas average (75/100)
Tillar scores 87.7/100 — above the Arkansas average of 75/100. It outscores 7 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 Tillar's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Tillar's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Tillar 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 Tillar, AR tap water safe to drink?
Tillar's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #142 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Tillar's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 30 violations are on record.
How is Tillar'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 Tillar?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Tillar's water come from?
Tillar's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 535 residents.
What health violations has Tillar's water system had?
Tillar has 12 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2013. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 7 violations remain unresolved.
Is Tillar's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Tillar 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 30 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 Tillar's water compare to other cities?
Tillar ranks #142 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 59% of state cities) and #3885 out of 15382 cities nationally (75th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.