Government monitoring from 2001 to 2005 shows no perchlorate detected above reporting levels in the Jonesboro Water System, which serves 81,888 people across Craighead, Greene, and Poinsett Counties in Arkansas.

Understanding Your Water System’s Perchlorate Record

Median and Range Values as a Homeowner Sees Them

The Jonesboro Water System results show 15 samples with zero detections above 4.0 micrograms per liter for perchlorate. This means perchlorate was not measurable at levels above the minimum reporting threshold during that timeframe. For a homeowner, this suggests that perchlorate is not present at quantifiable levels in the system’s supply water according to these samples.

Distinguishing Perchlorate from Similar Water Concerns

Perchlorate is a chemical that can occur naturally or from industrial sources. It differs from other common water issues like iron staining or hardness because its effects and measurement criteria are unique. Unlike aesthetic concerns, perchlorate’s presence is evaluated differently and does not relate to taste or mineral content. It's important not to confuse perchlorate with unrelated substances that may affect water clarity or odor.

What Detected, Median, and Range Indicate in These Records

"Detected" means the chemical was measurable with laboratory instruments in at least one sample, but in this case, perchlorate was not detected above the reporting level. "Median" reflects the midpoint value when all sample results are arranged numerically, useful to understand typical levels. "Range" shows the span between the lowest and highest detected values. Here, with no values above 4.0 µg/L, a homeowner sees that perchlorate did not register in these tests at reportable levels.

Role of Plumbing Materials and Age Separate from Source Water

Household Plumbing’s Limited Effect on Perchlorate

Since perchlorate originates from the water source or system infrastructure, plumbing materials or the age of pipes generally do not impact perchlorate levels. Corrosion or leaching of certain metals can alter other water characteristics but do not generate perchlorate. Therefore, household plumbing changes are unlikely to affect perchlorate presence.

Identifying Household Symptoms Related and Unrelated to Perchlorate

Symptoms Not Indicative of Perchlorate

• Discolored or bad-smelling water
• Visible sediment or cloudiness
• Metallic taste
• Scale buildup or staining on fixtures

These issues commonly arise from other water constituents, not perchlorate.

What Would Suggest Testing for Perchlorate

Perchlorate exposure concerns generally involve specific health-related inquiries or professional recommendations rather than sensory observations. The best way to know your household’s perchlorate level is through direct water testing by a certified laboratory equipped to measure at or below the EPA reporting level of 4.0 µg/L.

Next Steps Based on the Official Water System Record

The Jonesboro Water System’s federal record covers public water supply from groundwater sources serving households in Craighead, Greene, and Poinsett Counties. It does not describe water in individual homes. For testing your tap water specifically for perchlorate, consider sending a sample to a certified laboratory. Should perchlorate be a concern after testing, the Pentair Perchlorate Filter is a documented technology that ships ready to configure for residential point-of-entry treatment, addressing perchlorate removal from household water.

For the original government data, visit the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule database at the EPA website.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2003-12-16. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR1 monitoring (2001-2005) for JONESBORO WATER SYSTEM (AR0000124), AR: 15 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level