Is Helena, MT tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Helena Water System.

40 public water systems serve parts of Helena. The largest, Helena Water System, serves 32,091 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Helena Water System

32,091 people · Surface water · EPA ID MT0000241

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 3 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 3

Across Montana, 0 of 40 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 6 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Montana results.

Helena homes and lead pipes

58%

of homes built before 1980 (Montana 49%, US 50%)

27%

built before 1950 (Montana 17%)

47%

of households rent (Montana 31%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Helena city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Helena

City of East Helena
2,114 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
Helena Leisure LLC
1,200 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Jefferson Hills Wua Water System
780 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Coliform bacteria violation
Ten Mile and Pleasant Valley Wua Water System
750 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
North Star Public Utility District
715 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
McHugh Mobile Home Park Water System
490 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

33 more systems

Treasure State Acres Wua Water System
483 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
La Casa Grande Water and Sewer District
404 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Skyview Water and Sewer Utility
400 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Coliform bacteria violations
Golden Estates Homeowners Association
400 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Mobile City Home Park No 2 Water System
300 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Helena RV and Mobile Home Park Water System
250 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Lead near 2027 level
Ranchview Estates Wua Water System
250 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Grass Land Estates Water System
228 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Golden Estates Trailer Court Water System
225 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Arsenic violations
Holmberg Village Estates Water System
225 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Coliform bacteria violation
Glacier Point Ho and Wua Water System
210 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Coliform bacteria violation
Bridge Creek Estates Subdivision
205 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Town View Estates Wua Inc
175 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Prairie Mobile Village Water System
163 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Pebble Gardens Mobile Home Ct Water System
125 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Homestead Valley Wua Hvha Water System
105 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Mobile City Home Park No 1 Water System
100 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Bryant No 3 Subdivision
100 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
North Forestvale Homeowners Water System
98 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Camel Mountain HOA
96 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Camelot HOA
96 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Masonic Home of Montana Water System
90 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Park Evergreen Trailer Court Water System
87 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Applegate Village Water System
85 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
South Forestvale HOA
82 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Coliform bacteria violation
Ruger Water District
79 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Barnett Water Users System
70 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Smith McHugh #2 Blr Water System
68 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Blue Cloud Subdivision
60 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Arsenic violations
Beacon Trailer Court Helena Water System
55 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Helena North KOA
50 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Grand Valley Estates Subdivision
50 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Moonlight Estates HOA
44 people · Groundwater · Montana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Butte 57 mi Butte Silverbow Water Dept	Butte Silverbow Water Dept	None above limits	2 ppb
Great Falls 71 mi City of Great Falls	City of Great Falls	None above limits	12 ppb
Bozeman 78 mi City of Bozeman	City of Bozeman	None above limits	1.6 ppb
Missoula 97 mi Missoula Water	Missoula Water	None above limits	2 ppb
Kalispell 156 mi Kalispell Public Works	Kalispell Public Works	None above limits	2 ppb
Billings 173 mi City of Billings	City of Billings	None above limits	3 ppb

Helena ZIP codes (3)

59601
59623
59625

Questions

Is Helena tap water safe to drink?

Helena Water System had 3 health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Helena, MT?

40 public water systems serve parts of Helena. The largest is Helena Water System (32,091 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Helena tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Helena Water System had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Helena homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 58% of Helena homes as built before 1980 (Montana: 49%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Helena Water System's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.