Hardness
Very Hard
301.5 PPM · 17.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Ballantine, MT 59006
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Yellowstone County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Worden Ballantine Yellowstone
- Source water
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0.003 mg/L
20% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 800 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
301.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
301.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
17.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 301.5 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
16
Nearest site
42.6 mi
Observation range
Aug 23, 2016–Jun 12, 2018
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: BL-1 Afterbay below Yellowtail Dam (Lake, Reservoir, Impoundment).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 59006 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Ballantine median
302 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 301.5–301.5 PPM
Montana median
122 PPM
180 PPM higher129 indexed ZIP readings · Range 0.2–799.5 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.003 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2024
Copper (CU90)
2.52 mg/L
Reported Sep 30, 1999
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.003
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 2.52
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 9
- Health-based
- 5
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-NitriteHealth-basedReported 11.2 MG/L | MT0000022 | Archived | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Nitrate-NitriteHealth-basedReported 12.4 MG/L | MT0000022 | Archived | Jan 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0000022 | Unaddressed | Dec 30, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | MT0000022 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Dec 26, 2024 |
| Nitrate-NitriteHealth-basedReported 11 MG/L | MT0000022 | Archived | Jan 1, 2024through Mar 31, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | MT0000022 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Jul 18, 2022 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0000022 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2021through Jan 14, 2022 |
| Nitrate-NitriteHealth-basedReported 10.02 MG/L | MT0000022 | Archived | Apr 1, 2021through Jun 30, 2021 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000022 | Unaddressed | Mar 22, 2021 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Ballantine ZIP 59006 using 301.5 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
301.5 PPM is 3× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), Surface Water Treatment Rule have a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Ballantine
Is tap water safe in Ballantine?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 301.5 PPM, or 17.6 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 301.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.