Smith County, Texas: drinking water report. Smith County in East Texas has about 233,000 residents, with Tyler as the county seat.
Smith County in East Texas has about 233,000 residents, with Tyler as the county seat. The City of Tyler draws from Lake Palestine and groundwater wells, while surrounding communities rely on a mix of surface water from area reservoirs and the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. East Texas receives more rainfall than most of the state, and the pine-forested landscape provides natural watershed protection – but urbanization and legacy industrial activity still affect water quality.
The Camp Ford Civil War prison camp site and later military training operations in the county used various chemicals now classified as contaminants. According to TCEQ's 2024 state Superfund program, the former Tyler Pipe Industries site has documented soil and groundwater contamination with PAHs and heavy metals from foundry operations spanning 1935-2003.
The EPA's UCMR5 monitoring detected PFAS at low levels in the Tyler water system. A 2024 TCEQ investigation traced the likely source to the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, where AFFF was used for fire training. Monitoring wells near the airport showed PFOS at 7 ppt – below the federal MCL but above detection limits.
Smith County generally benefits from good source water quality compared to the more contamination-heavy regions of Texas. The primary concerns are localized around specific industrial and military sites rather than spread across the county.
Check your water for data specific to your area. For most Smith County residents, a quality carbon filter addresses taste and disinfection byproducts. If you are near the airport or former industrial sites, reverse osmosis adds a layer of protection against PFAS and industrial compounds. Our water filter guide helps match your situation. Pull your detailed report for details, and visit our Texas page for statewide context.