Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026

FORT SMITH WATER UTILITIES

Serving 86,209 residents in FORT SMITH, Arkansas .

National rank 64th percentile
Arkansas rank 75th percentile
Data confidence Medium
Quick answer

FORT SMITH WATER UTILITIES delivers tap water graded C (67/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 86,209 residents in FORT SMITH, Arkansas using surface water. The most significant water quality concerns are: Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 479-784-2331.

Data sources for this grade: utilities.csv EWG Tap Water Database ⓘ How did we get this rating?
86,209
People served
1
City served
21
Contaminants detected
10
Above health guidelines
0
EPA violations (5 yr)

Is FORT SMITH tap water safe to drink?

FORT SMITH WATER UTILITIES delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (67/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.

The utility serves 86,209 residents in FORT SMITH, drawing from surface water.

Public testing data identifies 10 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Bromodichloromethane, Trichloroacetic acid, Chloroform, Dichloroacetic acid, Dibromochloromethane, Chromium (hexavalent), Nitrate and nitrite. For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.

Top concerns in this water

Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for FORT SMITH WATER UTILITIES.

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 19.2 ppb, 319x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 30.8 ppb, 206x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 16.9 ppb, 169x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.

Contact FORT SMITH WATER UTILITIES

Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.

General Contact

Address801 CARNALL AVE, SUITE 500, FORT SMITH, AR 72901
Main phone479-784-2331

Recommended water filters for FORT SMITH

Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.

Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.

Score breakdown

This utility's overall score of 67/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →

Health Guideline Performance
10 / 40
Legal Compliance
20 / 20
High-Risk Contaminants
20 / 20
Compliance History
10 / 10
Source Water Vulnerability
7 / 10

Contaminants detected — international standards comparison

Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →

Contaminant Detected EWG
US health-based
EPA
US legal
EU DWD
Europe
WHO
global
CA PHG
strictest US
Tested
sample year
Status
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Disinfection byproduct
19.2 ppb 0.06 319× over
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
30.8 ppb 0.15 80.0 100 206× over
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
16.9 ppb 0.1 60.0 60 169× over
Bromodichloromethane
Disinfection byproduct
4.93 ppb 0.06 82× over
Trichloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct
6.29 ppb 0.1 63× over
Chloroform
Disinfection byproduct
24.7 ppb 0.4 62× over
Dichloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct
9.08 ppb 0.2 45× over
Dibromochloromethane
Disinfection byproduct
0.675 ppb 0.1 6.8× over
Chromium (hexavalent)
Heavy metal
0.0741 ppb 0.02 3.7× over
Nitrate and nitrite
Inorganic
0.229 ppm 0.14 10.0 11.3 11.3 10 1.6× over
Strontium-90
Radiological
0.31 pCi/L 0.35 Below guideline
Tritium
Other
179.4 pCi/L 400.0 Below guideline
Manganese
Heavy metal
11.9 ppb 100.0 50 80 Below guideline
Aluminum
Heavy metal
68.5 ppb 600.0 200 600 Below guideline
Monochloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct
1.47 ppb 53.0 Below guideline
Vanadium
Other
0.103 ppb 21.0 Below guideline
Monobromoacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct
0.0283 ppb 25.0 Below guideline
Strontium
Radiological
0.0252 ppb 1500.0 Below guideline
Chromium (total)
Heavy metal
0.66 ppb 100.0 Below guideline
Fluoride
Inorganic
0.738 ppm 4.0 1.5 1.5 Below guideline
Strontium-89
Radiological
0.06 pCi/L Below guideline

All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.

Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.

FORT SMITH WATER UTILITIES service area

This water system serves 1 community in Sebastian County, Arkansas. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.

About this water system

Public Water System ID
AR0000507
Owner type
Local government
Source water
Surface water
Service connections
35,693
Service area
FORT SMITH, Sebastian County, Arkansas