Is Jacksonville, AR tap water safe?
Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it
Summary
No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Central Arkansas Water.
5 public water systems serve parts of Jacksonville. The largest, Central Arkansas Water, serves 368,455 people. Your water bill names your system.
Largest system
Central Arkansas Water
368,455 people · Surface water · EPA ID AR0000465
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.
Lead: 1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0
Across Arkansas, 0 of 172 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 7 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Arkansas results.
Jacksonville homes and lead pipes
Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.
Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Jacksonville city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
Other water systems serving Jacksonville
- Jacksonville Waterworks32,875 people · Purchased surface water · Arkansas · lists this cityNo PFAS above limits
- Grand Prairie Bayou 2 Public Works Authority13,138 people · Purchased surface water · Arkansas · reported ZIPs hereLithium above screening level
- Mid-Arkansas Utilities Public Water Authority11,745 people · Purchased surface water · Arkansas · reported ZIPs hereNo PFAS above limits
- US Air Force Base Little Rock Water System8,618 people · Purchased surface water · Arkansas · reported ZIPs hereNo PFAS above limits
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Sherwood 5 mi Central Arkansas Water | None above limits | 1 ppb |
| Cabot 9 mi Cabot Waterworks | None above limits | 1 ppb |
| North Little Rock 9 mi Central Arkansas Water | None above limits | 1 ppb |
| Little Rock 17 mi Central Arkansas Water | None above limits | 1 ppb |
| Conway 23 mi Conway Water System | None above limits | 1 ppb |
| Benton 33 mi Benton Waterworks | None above limits | 1 ppb |
Jacksonville ZIP codes (2)
- 72076
- 72099
Questions
Is Jacksonville tap water safe to drink?
Central Arkansas Water has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.
Who supplies water in Jacksonville, AR?
5 public water systems serve parts of Jacksonville. The largest is Central Arkansas Water (368,455 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Does Jacksonville tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Central Arkansas Water had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.
Do Jacksonville homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 51% of Jacksonville homes as built before 1980 (Arkansas: 40%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Central Arkansas Water's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.