And in some Arkansas waterways, it's more risky than other.
"That's the reason it's on the list because it would be affecting the aquatic life," said Sarah Clem of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.
She said everything from cattle to industry is polluting Arkansas' water.
"Through our permitting system, we can put a limitation on that industry to say you can only discharge x amount of that -- and therefore it would limit that amount of pollutant going into the stream and it would eventually come off the list," Clem said.
The battle for clean rivers and streams is not only taking place in Arkansas, it's taking place across the nation.
THV spoke with Ed Barum of the Arkansas Public Health Department and he said that, sadly, it's nothing new.
"In arkansas it's swim at your own risk and it always has been that way. There have always been sources of pollution and contamination and many of them are naturally-occuring sources of E. coli for instance, that's something that we worry about," Barum said.
Barum said he grew up eating freshwater fish in Arkansas, but said nothing is risk-free.
"There can be a risk from consuming any kind of wild game or unregulated source of food like that. You wash it, you prepare it properly, you cook it thoroughly and you minimize your risk," Barum said.
Runoff from ditches, fields, etc -- all over the United States -- add to the pollution.
Among that pollution: leads and pathogens.
"We're always trying to do better. Are we resource strapped? Absolutely. But we are doing the best we can to protect the waters of the state," Clem said.
THV also asked her if Arkansas' rivers and streams will ever be clear enough to see to the bottom. Clem said it is possible if society makes it a priority to restore them to that quality.
There is a public comment period for citizens to submit their input to ADEQ before they submit this Impaired Waterbodies List to the EPA.
The deadline is February 17th.
Written statements should be sent to:
Jim Wise, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Water Division -- 5301 Northshore Drive -- North Little Rock, AR 72218
Or comments can be emailed to: ImpairedWater-Comments@adeq.state.ar.us