Is Widener, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
86/100
waterverge.com Widener, AR — Water Quality Report
Widener's drinking water received a grade of A- (86 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 507 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead data is not currently available for this system. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 16 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
What to know about Widener's water
Widener ranks #164 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Widener 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, Widener may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Widener, AR water safe to drink?
Widener's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 507 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Widener
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Widener's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4873). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Violation history
Widener's water system has 16 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
St. Francis 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.
Where does Widener's water come from?
Widener's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 507 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Widener residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Widener'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.
Widener'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.
Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Widener
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Widener, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
BOAR'S HEAD PROVISIONS CO INC. - FORREST CITY FORREST CITY, AR72335 | — | — | 7.7 mi |
FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS FORREST CITY, AR72335 | — | — | 7.5 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtSaint Francis 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
St. Francis 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.
Full contaminants report
No contaminant data available for this city.
See how Widener compares by contaminant
Explore where Widener ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Widener's water comes from
Widener purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Widener'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 507 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Widener
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WIDENER WATERWORKS | AR0000538 | 507 | GWP |
How Widener compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Widener's score of 86/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Widener, AR
Wikipedia →Widener is a town in St. Francis County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 212 at the 2020 census, a decline from 273 in 2010.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Widener's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across St. Francis
Frequently asked questions
Is Widener, AR tap water safe to drink?
Widener's water quality earned a grade of A- (86/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #164 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Widener's water?
16 violations are on record.
How is Widener'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 Widener?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Widener's water come from?
Widener's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 507 residents.
Is Widener's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Widener 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 16 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 Widener's water compare to other cities?
Widener ranks #164 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 52% of state cities) and #5013 out of 15744 cities nationally (68th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Widener's small water system affect quality?
Widener's system serves approximately 507 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 16 violations on record.