Lead service lines in Benton, AR
Lead service lines are water pipes made of lead that connect homes to the public water main. Lead can leach into drinking water, especially in older homes and when water is corrosive. Benton serves about 63,700 people across four water systems.
What we know about lead in Benton
The water utilities serving Benton have not reported any confirmed lead service lines to the Environmental Protection Agency. This is good news—but it's important to understand what "not reported" means.
Water systems are required to inventory their service lines and tell the EPA whether pipes are lead, galvanized (steel coated with zinc, which can also contain lead), or unknown material. If a utility hasn't found lead, it may mean:
- They've tested and confirmed no lead pipes exist in their system.
- They're still in the process of surveying their pipes (many utilities nationwide are behind on this work).
- Records are incomplete or uncertain.
The four utilities serving Benton are:
- Benton Waterworks (serves ~30,681 people)
- Salem Water Users LLC (serves ~22,775 people)
- Southwest Water Users LLC (serves ~9,573 people)
- Arkansas Health Center (serves ~700 people)
What you can do now
If you live in Benton, your risk depends partly on your home's age and plumbing. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead service lines or lead solder in internal plumbing.
Get your water tested. A simple test costs $20–50 and tells you whether lead is present in your home's tap water right now. The EPA recommends testing if your home was built before 1986, or if you're pregnant or have young children.
Contact your water utility directly—they can tell you whether your service line is lead, and many offer free or subsidized testing. Ask specifically about the material of the pipe running from the main to your house.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your utility to ask about your home's service line material and request a water test if needed.
- If your home was built before 1986, have your water tested for lead; ask your pediatrician or call the CDC for guidance on health concerns.
- Check the linked EPA or utility websites for testing resources and any ongoing lead reduction projects in your area.
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking, and let water run for 30 seconds after a long period of no use—this reduces stagnant water that may contain lead.
```json [ { "q": "Does Benton, AR have lead in the water?", "a": "Benton's four water utilities have not reported confirmed lead service lines to the EPA. However, \"not reported\" doesn't guarantee no lead exists—utilities are still inventorying pipes. The best way to know if lead is in your home's water is to get a test from a certified lab." }, { "q": "How do I test my tap water for lead?", "a": "Contact your water utility (Benton Waterworks, Salem Water Users LLC, Southwest Water Users LLC, or Arkansas Health Center, depending on where you live) and ask about free or low-cost testing. You can also hire a certified lab to test your water for $20–50." }, { "q": "What should I do if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "Use cold water for drinking and cooking, and run water for 30 seconds after a long period of no use. Talk to your water utility about replacing the line—many communities offer rebates or assistance. For health concerns, contact your pediatrician or the CDC." }, { "q": "Are older homes in Benton more likely to have lead pipes?", "a": "Yes. Homes built before 1986 are at higher risk of having lead