Lead Service Lines in Arkansas
Arkansas water systems are required to identify and replace lead service lines—the pipes that carry water from the main line under the street into your home. These replacements are happening slowly across the state, and knowing your own water line's material is the first step to protecting your household.
What we know about lead pipes in Arkansas
As of now, Arkansas's 868 water systems serving 3.1 million people have reported no confirmed lead service lines in their inventories. However, this doesn't mean there are no lead pipes in the state—it means utilities either haven't completed their surveys yet, are still verifying results, or the data hasn't been reported.
Many older homes built before 1986 may have lead or galvanized steel service lines, which can corrode and release lead into drinking water. The only way to know for sure is to contact your water utility or have a licensed plumber inspect the line at your home.
Larger utilities in Arkansas
The state's six largest water systems are:
- Central Arkansas Water (Little Rock area) — 368,455 people
- Fayetteville Waterworks — 116,398 people
- Springdale Water Utilities — 98,948 people
- Fort Smith Water Utilities — 86,209 people
- Rogers Water Utilities — 81,443 people
- Jonesboro Water System — 79,889 people
None of these utilities have yet reported confirmed lead service line counts to the EPA.
What to do now
Contact your water utility to ask three things: 1. Does your home have a lead service line? 2. When will they complete their inventory? 3. Are there replacement programs or funding available?
If your home was built before 1986, the risk is higher. Run your cold water tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially in older buildings. If you have young children or are pregnant, the CDC recommends testing your water—your pediatrician or health department can connect you with testing resources.
If you discover a lead line, replacement is the only permanent solution. Some water utilities offer financial assistance or free replacements for low-income households.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your local water utility to request your service line material (ask for your address specifically)
- If you live in an older home, have a plumber inspect the line where it enters your foundation
- Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in homes built before 1986
- Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about lead exposure, especially for children under 6