Is Little Rock, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Little Rock tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 24 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Little Rock Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Little Rock Compares
Little Rock's water is 83% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 89% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Arkansas, it ranks #12 of 13 cities (53% below the state average of 51 PPM). Among smaller cities, Little Rock ranks #241 of 288 for hardness.
What Little Rock's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 24 PPM - Low Concern
Little Rock's water is slightly hard at 24 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Little Rock is softer than 89% 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. Little Rock's water has TTHMs at 48.9 ppb and HAA5 at 32.6 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
Little Rock's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 48.9 ppb (61% of the legal limit, but 326x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 32.6 ppb (54% of the legal limit, but 326x 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 0.185 ppb, which is 9.2x 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) | 24 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 47 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 | 0.9 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Good news for Little Rock residents. Your water quality is generally good. Most homes in this area do not need a water softener. If you have concerns about lead (especially in buildings constructed before 1986) or chlorine taste, a point-of-use filter is the most practical and cost-effective solution.
How to Test Your Water in Little Rock
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 Little Rock's Water Supply
Water Utility: Central Arkansas Water
Water Source: Lake Maumelle, Lake Winona (Surface Water)
Population Served: 8,618
Hardness: 24 PPM (1.4 grains per gallon)
Little Rock's drinking water comes from surface sources — Lake Maumelle, Lake Winona. 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 9,000 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 Little Rock, AR, including ZIP codes:
72053, 72065, 72164, 72180, 72183, 72201, 72202, 72203, 72204, 72205, 72206, 72207, 72209, 72210, 72211, 72212, 72214, 72215, 72216, 72217, 72219, 72221, 72222, 72223, 72225, 72227, 72231, 72255, 72260, 72295
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Little Rock to Other Arkansas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Little Rock Water
Is Little Rock tap water safe to drink?
Where does Little Rock's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Little Rock?
What are disinfection byproducts in Little Rock's water?
Is chromium-6 in Little Rock's water?
Can I drink Little Rock tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Little Rock compare to the Arkansas average?
What water filter is best for Little Rock?
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.