Fort Smith, AR Water Safety: 95/100 (2026)
13 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Fort Smith by AR authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Fort Smith Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Fort Smith, AR
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Fort Smith.
Fort Smith Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,817 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.19 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Fort Smith
Multiple utilities divide Fort Smith, AR's water service — 3 leading providers among 5 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 13 ZIP codes in Fort Smith, Arkansas, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 94,001 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Fort Smith — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fort Smith: A (95/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Fort Smith water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 13 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72901 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
| 72902 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
| 72903 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
| 72904 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
| 72905 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
| 72906 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
| 72908 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
| 72913 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
| 72914 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
| 72916 | A | Fort Smith Water Utilities | 86,209 |
All ZIP Codes in Fort Smith
- 72901 [A]
- 72902 [A]
- 72903 [A]
- 72904 [A]
- 72905 [A]
- 72906 [A]
- 72908 [A]
- 72913 [A]
- 72914 [A]
- 72916 [A]
- 72917 [A]
- 72918 [A]
- 72919 [A]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Fort Smith
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Fort Smith: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Fort Smith, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Fort Smith are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,233–$2,633 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 36% above the Arkansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Fort Smith
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Fort Smith appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Fort Smith
352 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Fort Smith, and 38% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Fort Smith has a moderate flood history with 352 FEMA claims averaging $33,679 per payout. 38% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,817</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Fort Smith, AR