C57/100
HELENA WATER SYSTEM — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 32,091 people · Montana
Water Source
Surface Water
County
—
System ID
MT0000241
Violations
24
Contaminant Test Results
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.003 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
3
Violations (last 5yr)
0
Unresolved
3
Health-Related
TIER 2Resolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
Understanding violation severity
Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions About HELENA WATER SYSTEM
Is HELENA WATER SYSTEM water safe to drink?
HELENA WATER SYSTEM water receives a grade of C (57/100), which is considered fair. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 24 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.
What contaminants has HELENA WATER SYSTEM detected?
69 contaminants were tested in HELENA WATER SYSTEM's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does HELENA WATER SYSTEM have any EPA violations?
Yes, HELENA WATER SYSTEM has 24 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2023. Violation types include MCL, Other, MR. 4 are health-based violations.
How many people does HELENA WATER SYSTEM serve?
HELENA WATER SYSTEM serves approximately 32,091 people, Montana. The system provides water to 1 community: Helena.
What type of water does HELENA WATER SYSTEM provide?
HELENA WATER SYSTEM sources its water from surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is MT0000241.
How does HELENA WATER SYSTEM compare to other utilities in Montana?
HELENA WATER SYSTEM scores 57/100 with a grade of C (fair). This score indicates room for improvement compared to other utilities. Visit our Montana state page for a full comparison of water systems.