EL DORADO, Arkansas Tap Water Quality

27,879 people served · 13 water systems

Failing

EL DORADO, Arkansas is a small city with 27,879 residents served by a network of 13 public water systems. Water service covers ZIP code 71730.

EL DORADO has accumulated a significant number of EPA health-based violations. Reviewing the contaminants involved, requesting your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and using certified point-of-use filtration is strongly advisable.

EPA reporting identifies Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Chromium (Total), and Coliform Bacteria among the regulated contaminants associated with EL DORADO's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

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Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

71730

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving EL DORADO. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)disinfectant

EPA Code 2950 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.08 mg/L

Last Reading

81 UG/L

First Reported

Jan 2021

Most Recent

Jul 2025

What this violation means

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter — leaves, soil, algae — in source water. They are among the most commonly reported violations because utilities pulling from surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) struggle to balance disinfection with byproduct formation. Long-term exposure has been linked to bladder cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Recommended precautions

→Activated carbon filters (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) effectively reduce TTHMs.
→Letting water sit uncovered allows TTHMs to off-gas — leave a pitcher in the fridge for several hours.
→Shower with the bathroom fan on; TTHMs can volatilize into the air during hot showers.
→Boiling reduces TTHMs through volatilization, but only after extended boiling.

Read the complete guide to Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Coliform Bacteriamicrobial

EPA Code 8000 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0 per 100 mL presence/absence

Last Reading

—

First Reported

Oct 2022

Most Recent

Oct 2022

What this violation means

Total coliform bacteria are themselves usually harmless, but their presence signals that the water distribution system has a vulnerability — typically a cracked pipe, loss of pressure, or back-siphonage — that could allow disease-causing pathogens to enter. Repeated coliform-positive samples trigger mandatory utility investigation.

Recommended precautions

→If your utility issues a boil-water advisory, boil all drinking and cooking water for at least one minute.
→Use bottled water until the advisory is lifted.
→Ice from icemakers and beverages made before the advisory should be discarded.
→UV light and chlorination both kill coliform bacteria — most home filters do not.

Read the complete guide to Coliform Bacteria

Chromium (Total)chemical

EPA Code 1094 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.1 mg/L

Last Reading

9.8 MFL

First Reported

Jan 2021

Most Recent

Jan 2021

What this violation means

The EPA regulates total chromium, which includes both trivalent (Cr-3, an essential nutrient) and hexavalent (Cr-6, the carcinogen made famous by the Erin Brockovich case). California has set a separate Cr-6 MCL of 10 ppb; the federal standard does not yet distinguish the two.

Recommended precautions

→Reverse osmosis effectively removes chromium.
→Some specialized ion exchange resins target hexavalent chromium specifically.
→Standard carbon filters do not reliably remove chromium.

Read the complete guide to Chromium (Total)

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving EL DORADO

LISBON WATER ASSOCIATION

PWSID: AR0000716

439 served

OAK MANOR WATER ASSOCIATION

PWSID: AR0000558

338 served

WESSON-NEWELL WATER ASSOC

PWSID: AR0000103

658 served

WILDWOOD WATER ASSOCIATION

PWSID: AR0000562

1,350 served

4 violations

LAWSON-URBANA WATER ASSOC

PWSID: AR0000548

1,108 served

PARKERS CHAPEL PUBLIC WATER

PWSID: AR0000560

2,391 served

FAIRCREST WATER ASSOCIATION

PWSID: AR0000544

1,329 served

EL DORADO WATERWORKS

PWSID: AR0000550

17,932 served

3 violations

HARMONY WATER ASSOCIATION

PWSID: AR0000546

336 served

26 violations

BANKS WATERWORKS

PWSID: AR0000068

244 served

OLD UNION PUBLIC WATER AUTHORITY

PWSID: AR0000559

1,200 served

2 violations

MOUNT HOLLY WATERWORKS

PWSID: AR0000002

384 served

LOUANN WATERWORKS

PWSID: AR0000406

170 served

What Can You Do?

✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EL DORADO, Arkansas tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had numerous EPA violations in the last 5 years. Consider filtered water.

How many EPA violations does EL DORADO have?▼

EL DORADO has 35 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 13 water systems serving 27,879 people.

What contaminants have been found in EL DORADO water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 2950, 1094, 8000. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in EL DORADO?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in EL DORADO?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.