Hardness
Moderately Hard
86.5 PPM · 5.1 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Bozeman, MT 59715
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Gallatin County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Bozeman City Of
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Gallatin 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
0.002 mg/L
13% of action level
Utility match
10 systems
Serves 56,000 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
86.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
86.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
5.1
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 86.5 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
12
Nearest site
36.8 mi
Observation range
Feb 3, 2016–Sep 10, 2025
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Shields River ab Smith Cr, nr Wilsall, MT (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 59715 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Bozeman median
87 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 86.5–86.5 PPM
Montana median
122 PPM
35 PPM lower129 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)
0.002 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2026
Copper (CU90)
1.44 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2014
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.002
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.44
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 59
- Health-based
- 3
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0004178 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | MT0003323 | Resolved | Nov 11, 2025through Dec 12, 2025 |
| E. COLI | MT0003323 | Resolved | Sep 25, 2025through Sep 22, 2025 |
| E. COLI | MT0004960 | Resolved | Aug 29, 2025through Sep 23, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0001262 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0000627 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2025through Feb 28, 2025 |
| TTHM | MT0003810 | Archived | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MT0003810 | Archived | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | MT0002074 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0002548 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Jul 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | MT0001262 | Unaddressed | Jun 1, 2024 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | MT0001366 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0000627 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0000628 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Oct 31, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0004960 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2023through Sep 30, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0001366 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Feb 4, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | MT0001262 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Jul 21, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | MT0002074 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Jul 30, 2023 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | MT0000035 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0004178 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2022through Sep 17, 2025 |
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 Bozeman ZIP 59715 using 86.5 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), Revised Total Coliform 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 Bozeman
Is tap water safe in Bozeman?+
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 86.5 PPM, or 5.1 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.