Little Rock, AR Water Quality Report

Is Little Rock tap water safe? See PFAS and lead contamination levels for Little Rock, Arkansas. Compare to EPA limits and get filter recommendations.

Quick Answers

Is Little Rock tap water safe to drink? Little Rock tap water meets most federal EPA limits, but PFAS compounds have been detected at an average of 21.38 ppt across 1 compound. A certified pitcher filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended for sensitive populations.

What contaminants are in Little Rock water? Top PFAS compounds detected in Little Rock water: lithium (32.7 ppt). See the full table for all monitored contaminants and comparison to EPA limits.

What filter should I use in Little Rock? Reverse osmosis removes 90%+ of PFAS, lead, and arsenic. NSF-53 certified pitcher and faucet filters (ZeroWater, Clearly Filtered, LifeStraw) work for smaller households. Skip standard Brita filters for PFAS removal.

Little Rock Water Quality Summary

EPA testing has detected PFAS "forever chemicals" in Little Rock drinking water. Recent monitoring found a peak level of 32.7 ppt across 2 water systems, representing an average of 21.38 ppt across 1 detected compound.

Contamination Level: MODERATE – Moderate contamination – PFAS detected at meaningful levels; filtration recommended.

Top Detected Compounds

  • lithium: 32.7 ppt (exceeds EPA 4 ppt limit for PFOA/PFOS)

Lead in Little Rock Water

EPA Lead and Copper Rule testing has recorded 12 lead samples for Little Rock water systems, with a 90th-percentile high of 0.003 mg/L (within the EPA 0.015 mg/L action level). There is no safe level of lead for children; if your home was built before 1986, a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead-removal filter is recommended.

About the Data

These figures come from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) testing program, 2023-2025. UCMR5 is the most comprehensive national drinking water survey in US history, covering 66,000+ public water systems. Population of Little Rock: approximately 202,591.

ZIP Codes Served

72201, 72202, 72204, 72205, 72206

What Little Rock Residents Should Do

  1. Enter your exact ZIP code at knowyourexposure.com for address-level data
  2. Install an NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis filter (removes 94-99% of PFAS)
  3. If you're in a high-exposure group (pregnant, young children), consider a PFAS home test kit
  4. Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) annually