Is Benton, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Benton tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 90 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Benton Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Benton Compares
Benton's water is 35% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 59% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Arkansas, Benton has the 2nd hardest water out of 13 cities - 76% above the state average of 51 PPM. Among smaller cities, Benton ranks #138 of 288 for hardness.
What Benton's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 90 PPM - Low Concern
Benton's water is moderately hard at 90 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Benton's water has TTHMs at 40.3 ppb and HAA5 at 19.2 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Benton's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 40.3 ppb (50% of the legal limit, but 269x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 19.2 ppb (32% of the legal limit, but 192x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 90 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 155 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.3 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.0533 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Benton Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.3 mg/L chlorine, many Benton residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Benton
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request Saline County Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Benton's Water Supply
Water Utility: Saline County Water
Water Source: Saline County wells (Surface Water)
Population Served: 30,681
Hardness: 90 PPM (5.3 grains per gallon)
Benton's drinking water comes from surface sources — Saline County wells. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 31,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Saline County Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Saline County Water in Benton, AR, including ZIP codes:
71721, 71722, 71726, 71728, 71743, 71763, 71772, 71825, 71828, 71831, 71833, 71835, 71846, 71847, 71851, 71852, 71855, 71857, 71858, 71862, 71864, 71901, 71902, 71903, 71909, 71910, 71913, 71914, 71920, 71921, 71922, 71923, 71929, 71933, 71935, 71940, 71941, 71942, 71943, 71949, 71950, 71952, 71956, 71957, 71958, 71959, 71960, 71962, 71964, 71968, 71969, 71970, 71998, 71999, 72011, 72015, 72018, 72019, 72022, 72084, 72087, 72089, 72104, 72105, 72122, 72128, 72129, 72158, 72167, 72828, 72833, 72853, 72857, 72860
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Benton to Other Arkansas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Benton Water
Is Benton tap water safe to drink?
Where does Benton's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Benton?
What is the hardness of Benton water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Benton's water?
Why does Benton water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Benton tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Benton compare to the Arkansas average?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Benton Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 90 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Benton's water data.