Sebastian County, AR · PWSID AR0000507
Fort Smith Water Utilities lead service lines
15 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Fort Smith Water Utilities reported 1 lead and 14 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 49,594 in its inventory. That's about 1 in 3,306 lines. Another 16,887 (34%) are still listed as unknown material.
Ranks #10 of 18 Arkansas systems with confirmed lead lines, and #4,045 nationally.
<0.1% of Fort Smith Water Utilities's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement. That's lower than the Arkansas average (0.9%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead <0.1%
- Galvanized (replace) <0.1%
- Unknown 34%
- Non-lead 66%
Total service lines reported: 49,594. Reported all required service line types. Population served: 86,209; 35,693 connections.
Lead test results
Fort Smith Water Utilities's most recent 90th-percentile lead result (Jan 2023–Dec 2025) was 1 ppb, below both the 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level that takes effect in 2027. This means 90% of homes sampled were at or below that level; individual homes, especially those with lead lines, can be higher.
Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported to EPA, in parts per billion. Dashed lines: 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level from November 1, 2027.
Progress since 2025 Q1
Reported lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines went from 15 in 2025 Q1 to 15 in 2026 Q3: no change. Lines of unknown material went from 16,887 to 16,887, no change.
Quarterly counts reported to EPA. A drop usually means lines were replaced or confirmed non-lead; a rise usually means more lines were identified. Replacement progress rankings.
Lead rule violations
EPA's data lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations for Fort Smith Water Utilities since 2015. That covers testing, reporting, corrosion control and public notice requirements; it isn't a guarantee about any individual home.
Source: EPA SDWIS violation records for the Lead and Copper Rule.
Where the water comes from
Fort Smith Water Utilities's main water source is surface water (rivers, lakes or reservoirs). It sells water to 14 other water systems: Cedarville Waterworks FBCC, Mountainburg Water and Sewer, Van Buren Waterworks, Hwy 71 Water District #1 Pwa, Oak Grove Water Association, Concord Water & Sewer PFB of Crawford Co, Winslow Waterworks, Barling Waterworks, Arkoma (OK), Sequoyah Co. RWD #7 (OK), Fcmtc Waterworks, Chester Water Works, Franklin-Sebastian Pwa, Lee Creek RWD (OK).
Source: EPA SDWIS water system and facility records.
Check your own address
These counts cover the whole system. To see whether your line is lead, use the utility's address-level inventory. Utilities had to prepare one by October 16, 2024 and make it publicly accessible; systems serving more than 50,000 people must post it online.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test on the pipe where water enters your home.
Protect your drinking water now
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, filter water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead. Run cold water for a few minutes after it sits for hours, and never use hot tap water for cooking.
How to pick a lead-certified filter · How to test your water for lead
Getting the line replaced
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Fort Smith Water Utilities whether it replaces the private side for free or with a cost share before you hire anyone. If you want it done sooner, or your utility doesn't cover your side, a licensed plumber can quote it. What replacement costs.
County pages: Lead pipes in Sebastian County
Cities served
ZIP codes served
ZIP codes whose center falls inside Fort Smith Water Utilities's mapped service area (EPA service area boundaries). Neighboring utilities may serve parts of the same ZIP.
729017290372904729087291672923
Other water systems nearby
| System | Lead + galv. | Unknown |
|---|---|---|
| James Fork Regional Water District | 0 | 5,101 |
| Greenwood Waterworks | 0 | 1,649 |
| Barling Waterworks | 0 | 474 |
| Milltown-Washburn Water Users | 0 | 1,714 |
| Riversouth Rural Water Dist | 0 | 1,810 |
| Lavaca Waterworks | 0 | 891 |
| Mansfield Waterworks | 0 | 1,198 |
| Hartford Waterworks | 0 | 365 |
Check another water system
Questions
Does Fort Smith Water Utilities have lead pipes?
Yes. Fort Smith Water Utilities reported 1 lead service lines and 14 galvanized lines that must be replaced, out of 49,594 total. 16,887 more are of unknown material.
How do I check if my home's service line is lead?
Look up your address on Fort Smith Water Utilities's official service line inventory, which utilities must make publicly available. You can also scratch the pipe where it enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and does not attract a magnet.
When will Fort Smith Water Utilities replace lead service lines?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, most systems must replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037, starting from November 1, 2027. The rule is being challenged in court, so dates could change. Many utilities run free or cost-share programs now.
Has Fort Smith Water Utilities had lead violations?
EPA's data shows no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for Fort Smith Water Utilities.
Which water filters remove lead?
Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction, or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis. Check the certification on NSF's listings, not just the box.
Embed or cite this data
Local news sites, blogs and community groups can embed this card. It updates when EPA releases new data.
Citation: Lead Pipe Map, "Fort Smith Water Utilities lead service lines," https://leadpipemap.com/ar/fort-smith-water-utilities/. Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Download the full dataset on the data page.