Smithfield's drinking water comes from a series of deep groundwater wells located throughout the area. Before reaching your home, the water is treated using a reverse osmosis (RO) system, followed by pH adjustment and disinfection to meet all federal and state drinking water standards.

Smithfield's drinking water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. Because the Town uses reverse osmosis treatment, many naturally occurring minerals are removed before the water is distributed.

After treatment, the water contains disinfectants, fluoride, pH-adjusting minerals, and trace levels of regulated contaminants. Many homeowners choose whole home water filtration and reverse osmosis to further reduce chlorine, improve taste, and provide an additional level of treatment inside the home.

Reverse osmosis removes a wide range of naturally occurring minerals and impurities from the water. After treatment, the Town adds disinfectant to protect the water as it travels through the distribution system and adjusts the pH to help reduce corrosion in household plumbing.

The reality is that municipal water is about as safe as a public utility can reasonably deliver through miles of underground water mains. The only practical way to further reduce disinfectants and improve drinking water quality is with treatment installed inside your home.

Yes. Smithfield's drinking water meets all EPA and Virginia Department of Health drinking water standards.

Many homeowners, however, are looking for more than water that simply meets minimum regulatory requirements. Whole home water filtration and reverse osmosis systems can further reduce chlorine, fluoride, PFAS, and other contaminants while improving the taste and quality of drinking water.

No. Because Smithfield treats its groundwater using reverse osmosis, the finished water is generally considered soft. After treatment, minerals are added back only as needed to stabilize the water and control corrosion.

While most homes do not require a water softener for hardness, some homeowners still choose one for softer-feeling water and improved soap lather. Others simply install whole home filtration or scale protection based on their preferences.

Yes. Even if your water leaves the treatment plant in excellent condition, your home's plumbing can still affect water quality. Older plumbing materials, stagnant water, and aging fixtures can influence taste and may contribute to elevated lead or copper levels in some homes.

Running cold water briefly before using it for drinking or cooking and installing appropriate filtration can help improve water quality.

We encourage homeowners to review the Town of Smithfield Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, and the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water to learn more about local water quality and treatment practices.

Many homes just outside the Town of Smithfield rely on private wells rather than municipal water.

Because every well is different, we recommend certified laboratory testing before selecting a treatment system. Based on your laboratory results, Patriot Water Systems can recommend a customized solution that may include whole home water filtration, a water softener, iron or sulfur removal, reverse osmosis, or a complete well water treatment system.