Is Fort Chaffee, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
78.9/100
waterverge.com Fort Chaffee, AR — Water Quality Report
Fort Chaffee's drinking water received a grade of B (78.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 500 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 9 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Fort Chaffee's water
Fort Chaffee ranks #234 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Fort Chaffee may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Fort Chaffee, AR water safe to drink?
Fort Chaffee's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B (78.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 500 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Fort Chaffee
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Fort Chaffee's water quality assessment. Grade: B (78.9/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4441). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Fort Chaffee's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Fort Chaffee's water system has 9 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Sebastian County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include James Fork Near Hackett, Arkansas River At Ft. Smith, Ar., Ar River At Van Buren, Ar River At James W. Trimble L&D Nr Van Buren.
Where does Fort Chaffee's water come from?
Fort Chaffee's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 500 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include James Fork Near Hackett (river), Arkansas River At Ft. Smith, Ar. (river), Ar River At Van Buren (river), Ar River At James W. Trimble L&D Nr Van Buren (river).
What Fort Chaffee residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Fort Chaffee's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Sebastian County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 4.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Fort Chaffee compares by contaminant
Explore where Fort Chaffee ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Fort Chaffee's water comes from
Fort Chaffee's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 500 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Fort Chaffee
Fort Chaffee is located near 4 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Fort Chaffee
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCMTC WATERWORKS | AR0000514 | 500 | SWP |
How Fort Chaffee compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Fort Chaffee's score of 78.9/100 is on par with the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Fort Chaffee, AR
Wikipedia →Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, also known as Fort Chaffee, is an Arkansas Army National Guard installation located in western Arkansas, adjacent to the city of Fort Smith. Established as Camp Chaffee in 1941, renamed to Fort Chaffee in 1956, it has served as a U.S. Army base, training camp, prisoner-of-war camp, and refugee camp. The fort was realigned following the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission round. Since that time, the Arkansas National Guard has been using 66,000 acres (270 km2) as a training facility. The State of Arkansas received 6,000 acres (24 km2), about half of which have been redeveloped as of 2014. The main environmental concern has been asbestos, released during various fires.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Fort Chaffee's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Sebastian
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Chaffee, AR tap water safe to drink?
Fort Chaffee's water quality earned a grade of B (78.9/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #234 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Fort Chaffee's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 9 violations are on record.
How is Fort Chaffee's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Fort Chaffee?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Fort Chaffee's water come from?
Fort Chaffee's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 500 residents.
What health violations has Fort Chaffee's water system had?
Fort Chaffee has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Fort Chaffee's water compare to other cities?
Fort Chaffee ranks #234 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 32% of state cities) and #8480 out of 15744 cities nationally (46th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Fort Chaffee's small water system affect quality?
Fort Chaffee's system serves approximately 500 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 9 violations on record.