State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM9
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM3
Hard · 121–180 PPM1
Very hard · 181+ PPM9
State water index
Montana water hardness
Search 133 indexed communities and 145 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median regional evidence
94PPM
Moderately Hard
Indexed range 26.3–629 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 145
- Cities
- 133
- Matched utilities
- 342
- Counties
- 50
Understanding Montana
Why local comparisons matter here
Montana combines Rocky Mountain headwaters and valleys with broad eastern plains, shallow alluvial sources, and deeper sedimentary aquifers.
In this index, soft is the largest category, covering 9 of 22 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 94 PPM, but the full indexed range is 26.3–629 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 15%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 39%
17
Low-confidence hardness profiles
2
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 278
- Surface water
- 63
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 1
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
City directory
Explore Montana by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
133 cities · 145 ZIP profiles
133 cities found
Page 1 of 6
Absarokee
Stillwater County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Antelope
Sheridan County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Ashland
Powder River County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Augusta
Lewis And Clark County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Babb
Glacier County · 1 ZIP
59PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bainville
Roosevelt County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Baker
Fallon County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Ballantine
Yellowstone County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sample1 active record
Basin
Jefferson County · 1 ZIP
38PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Belfry
Carbon County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Big Sandy
Chouteau County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Big Sky
Madison County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Big Timber
Sweet Grass County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bigfork
Lake County · 1 ZIP
193PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Billings
Yellowstone County · 3 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Black Eagle
Cascade County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bozeman
Gallatin County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Brady
Pondera County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bridger
Carbon County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Broadus
Powder River County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bynum
Teton County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Carter
Chouteau County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Chinook
Blaine County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Circle
Mccone County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosebud County | 629 PPM | 629–629 | 3 |
| Richland County | 471 PPM | 453–488 | 2 |
| Sheridan County | 272 PPM | 272–272 | 5 |
| Lake County | 193 PPM | 193–193 | 4 |
| Cascade County | 160 PPM | 160–160 | 10 |
| Flathead County | 133 PPM | 73.7–193 | 9 |
| Meagher County | 106 PPM | 105.5–105.5 | 1 |
| Missoula County | 83 PPM | 83.2–83.2 | 8 |
| Glacier County | 59 PPM | 59.1–59.1 | 2 |
| Jefferson County | 38 PPM | 37.7–37.7 | 2 |
| Lewis And Clark County | 33 PPM | 29.1–37.1 | 4 |
| Sanders County | 32 PPM | 32.4–32.4 | 4 |