Nitrate In Drinking Water In Arkansas
What residents of Arkansas need to know about nitrate in drinking water — including how it enters water, which utilities have documented violations, and what steps to take.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is nitrate in drinking water a real concern in Arkansas?
Yes — Arkansas is a major poultry, rice, and soybean producing state, and nitrate from poultry litter and fertilizer has been documented in private wells in eastern and northwestern agricultural counties.
Is this mostly a public-water issue, a private-well issue, or both?
Primarily private well users in Arkansas's Delta region and northwest Arkansas poultry country; some small public systems drawing from shallow groundwater have also documented nitrate concerns.
What is the main reason residents should care?
Arkansas produces more broiler chickens than any state except Georgia, with major concentrations in northwest Arkansas (the so-called 'Poultry Triangle'). Poultry litter applied as fertilizer combined with the state's intensively farmed Delta region creates significant nitrate loading pathways to shallow groundwater.
Key Facts
| EPA Nitrate MCL | 10 mg/L as N |
| NW Arkansas poultry | Major broiler chicken concentration — poultry litter is a significant nitrate source |
| Delta region | Intensive rice, soybean, cotton farming with shallow alluvial aquifers vulnerable to nitrate |
| Private well risk | Owner's responsibility to test — no automatic monitoring |
| State oversight | Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) |
Why This Matters in Arkansas
Arkansas is one of the top poultry-producing states in the nation. Northwest Arkansas — Benton, Washington, and Carroll Counties — has an extraordinary concentration of poultry growing operations, processing plants, and the headquarters of major poultry companies. Poultry litter application on surrounding cropland is a documented source of nitrate loading in this region. The Arkansas Delta (east Arkansas) has intensive rice, soybean, and cotton production with heavy fertilizer use. Shallow alluvial aquifers in the Delta are vulnerable to surface contamination. Private well users in both regions should test for nitrate. ADH monitors public water systems and provides guidance on private well testing.
Critical — Infants Under 6 Months
Do not use tap water that exceeds 10 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen to prepare infant formula or feed infants under six months. Boiling will concentrate nitrate — do not boil. Use bottled water or a certified reverse osmosis system (NSF/ANSI 58) until the issue is resolved.
Arkansas Utilities With Nitrate Violation Records
The utilities listed below have at least one nitrate violation on record in EPA's SDWIS database. Violations may be open or resolved — see individual utility pages for current status and risk level.
Jonesboro Water System
Arkansas · 79,889 served
Liberty Utilities
Arkansas · 43,438 served
Bella Vista Poa
Arkansas · 39,419 served
City Corporation
Arkansas · 29,260 served
Centerton Waterworks
Arkansas · 27,243 served
Vilonia Waterworks
Arkansas · 24,690 served
West Memphis Waterworks
Arkansas · 24,419 served
Van Buren Waterworks
Arkansas · 22,725 served
Washington Water Authority Wwa
Arkansas · 20,140 served
Bryant Waterworks
Arkansas · 19,607 served
How Nitrate Gets Into Drinking Water
Agricultural fertilizer and manure runoff
Nitrogen-based fertilizers and animal waste applied to Arkansas cropland can leach into groundwater or run off into surface water supplies. This is the dominant nitrate pathway in most agricultural regions.
Septic system effluent
Failing or poorly sited septic systems release nitrogen-rich wastewater near drinking water wells. Rural areas with high well density and aging septic infrastructure face elevated risk.
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)
Large livestock facilities generate significant waste. Lagoon leaks and overapplication of manure to nearby fields can create localized nitrate hotspots in groundwater.
Natural geological deposits
In some regions, naturally occurring nitrogen compounds in soil and bedrock contribute background nitrate levels to groundwater independent of agricultural activity.
Who Should Pay Closest Attention
Private well users in northwest Arkansas poultry counties (Benton, Washington, Carroll) and east Arkansas Delta counties should test for nitrate annually. Families with infants using formula should obtain current nitrate test results before using well water.
Households with infants under six months
Pregnant residents
Private well owners in agricultural areas
Households near livestock operations or CAFOs
Rural residents on shallow groundwater wells
Households with older or failing septic systems nearby
How to Check Your Situation in Arkansas
- 1
Identify your water utility. Use the ZIP lookup below or browse the Arkansas utility directory on this site.
- 2
Read your utility's page on this site to see its current risk level and any open nitrate violations.
- 3
Review your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — mailed annually or available on the utility's website. It must disclose any MCL exceedances.
- 4
If you are on a private well, arrange testing at a Arkansas Department of Health (ADH)-certified lab. Your state health department maintains a list of certified labs. Annual testing is recommended in agricultural areas.
- 5
If you have an infant under six months, use bottled water or a certified RO system (NSF/ANSI 58) immediately as a precautionary measure — do not wait for test results if you are in a high-risk area.
- 6
If your utility issues a nitrate exceedance notice, follow their guidance and do not use tap water for infants until the issue is resolved.
Treatment Options
Carbon filters and boiling do not remove nitrate. Only the options below are effective.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58 — Reverse Osmosis
RO systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 reduce nitrate by 85–95% at the point of use. Under-sink installation required. The most practical residential option for nitrate concerns.
Distillation
Distillation units effectively remove nitrate along with most other dissolved contaminants. Suitable for drinking and cooking water — not whole-house use.
Anion Exchange
Ion exchange systems designed for nitrate removal exchange nitrate ions for chloride on a resin bed. Effective as a point-of-entry system; requires periodic regeneration and monitoring.
Carbon filters do NOT remove nitrate
Standard pitcher filters, faucet filters, and under-sink carbon units — including those certified NSF/ANSI 42 or 53 — do not remove nitrate. Do not use these for nitrate reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Nitrate — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with nitrate records
Arkansas State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Lead in Drinking Water
A separate but common concern
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 85–95% of nitrate
Well Water Guide
Private well testing and safety
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
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Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) ↗