PFAS in Craighead, Lawrence, Randolph Counties: Understanding Water Data to Choose Treatment

This week, your focus is on choosing the right class of treatment system to address potential PFAS concerns in your household water in Craighead, Lawrence, and Randolph Counties, Arkansas.

Understanding Plumbing Material and Age Separate from Source Water

The materials and age of your home's plumbing can influence PFAS measurements independently of the water source. Older pipes, fixtures, or internal components might contribute to PFAS or affect water quality by sorption or leaching processes. However, the EPA’s public water system record pertains to source water quality as it enters the distribution system, not the effects of your household plumbing. To distinguish plumbing contributions, testing your tap water directly through a certified laboratory is necessary.

Interpreting Median and Range in Public Water System PFAS Data

For the LAWRENCE CO REG WATER DIST system, which serves over 7,400 people with surface water, the EPA’s 2023-2025 monitoring detected no PFAS compounds above reporting levels in 14 samples. Specifically, measurements for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and others were all below detection thresholds, with no readings above the federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) effective in 2024. This means the reported data reflect nondetectable levels, not the absence of PFAS. The median value, given all nondetects, lies below the method’s reporting limits, offering a conservative estimate of the water system’s PFAS presence.

How Sampling Depth, Well Depth, and Source Type Affect PFAS Expectations

The public water system in this region relies on surface water sources rather than wells, so depth-related PFAS variability typical in groundwater does not apply here. Surface water may have different PFAS profiles influenced by watershed activities and treatment processes. If your household uses a private well or a different source, independent testing is essential because the system’s public data does not reflect your water’s PFAS levels. Similarly, sampling at different points in the distribution network, or at home taps, can show variation due to treatment or plumbing conditions.

Adjustments for Large Households, Second Homes, or Seasonal Properties

Household size and water usage patterns impact system sizing and treatment requirements. Larger households consume more water, potentially increasing treatment media demands. Seasonal or second homes with intermittent use may face different challenges, such as stagnation effects that alter PFAS distribution in plumbing. Treatment solutions must be flexible to accommodate these variables without assuming the public system data fully represent these scenarios.

Recognizing Seasonal and Multi-Year Changes in PFAS Records

The EPA’s monitoring for this system spans from February to November 2023, part of a multi-year occurrence survey (2023-2025). These data do not show temporal spikes or declines in PFAS above detection limits, indicating consistent low levels in this period. Seasonal variations in surface water quality can occur but have not resulted in detectable PFAS in this system sample. Longer-term changes or unusual events require continued monitoring and may warrant retesting at the household level.

To summarize, the EPA’s public water system record for LAWRENCE CO REG WATER DIST in Craighead, Lawrence, and Randolph Counties is based on surface water samples and shows no PFAS detections above reporting levels in recent monitoring. This data set reflects system-source water quality, not individual household conditions influenced by plumbing or private wells. For deciding the appropriate PFAS treatment, a certified test of your home’s water is essential.

The C-Series PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter ships ready to configure for households seeking removal of PFAS compounds identified as a concern. It provides targeted treatment for the range of PFAS compounds regulated federally beginning in 2024.

For more detailed information, consult the EPA’s public water system occurrence data at the official website.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2023-11-15. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for LAWRENCE CO REG WATER DIST (AR0000688), AR: 140 results across 10 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level