Is Conway, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Conway tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 30 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Conway Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Conway Compares
Conway's water is 78% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 82% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Arkansas, it ranks #8 of 13 cities (41% below the state average of 51 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), Conway ranks #228 of 258 for hardness.
What Conway's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 30 PPM - Low Concern
Conway's water is slightly hard at 30 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Conway is softer than 82% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Conway's water has TTHMs at 42.8 ppb and HAA5 at 23.9 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Conway's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 42.8 ppb (53% of the legal limit, but 285x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 23.9 ppb (40% of the legal limit, but 239x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.147 ppb, which is 7.4x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 30 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 39 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.653 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Conway Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.7 mg/L chlorine, many Conway residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Conway
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request Central Arkansas Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Conway's Water Supply
Water Utility: Central Arkansas Water
Water Source: Beaver Reservoir (Surface Water)
Population Served: 64,008
Hardness: 30 PPM (1.8 grains per gallon)
Conway's drinking water comes from surface sources — Beaver Reservoir. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 64,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Central Arkansas Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Central Arkansas Water in Conway, AR, including ZIP codes:
72001, 72013, 72016, 72025, 72027, 72028, 72030, 72031, 72032, 72033, 72034, 72035, 72039, 72044, 72047, 72051, 72058, 72061, 72063, 72067, 72070, 72080, 72088, 72106, 72107, 72110, 72111, 72125, 72126, 72127, 72130, 72131, 72141, 72153, 72156, 72157, 72181, 72519, 72528, 72530, 72533, 72540, 72543, 72545, 72546, 72555, 72560, 72566, 72567, 72581, 72617, 72629, 72636, 72639, 72645, 72650, 72657, 72658, 72659, 72663, 72675, 72679, 72680, 72686, 72801, 72802, 72811, 72812, 72823, 72829, 72834, 72835, 72837, 72843, 72845, 72846, 72847, 72858
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Conway to Other Arkansas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Conway Water
Is Conway tap water safe to drink?
Where does Conway's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Conway?
What are disinfection byproducts in Conway's water?
Is chromium-6 in Conway's water?
Why does Conway water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Conway tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Conway compare to the Arkansas average?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Conway Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 30 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Conway's water data.