Hardness
Moderately Hard
84.1 PPM · 4.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Helena, MT 59601
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Lewis And Clark County.
3 reported benchmark flags
- Primary matched system
- Helena Water System
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Lewis And Clark County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
10 systems
Serves 32,091 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
84.1 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
84.1
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
4.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 84.1 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
59
Nearest site
2.8 mi
Observation range
Feb 3, 2016–May 6, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Tenmile Creek near Rimini MT (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 59601 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Helena median
84 PPM
About the same3 indexed ZIP readings · Range 84.1–84.1 PPM
Montana median
122 PPM
38 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 pass3 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2027
Copper (CU90)
2.1 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2023
Numerical coverage
4 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 2.1
EPA limit 1.3
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.062
EPA limit 0.06
Arsenic
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.012
EPA limit 0.01
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 182
- Health-based
- 15
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0004559 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0002005 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | MT0004190 | Resolved | Oct 23, 2025through Nov 20, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0004264 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | MT0002917 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| E. COLI | MT0004872 | Resolved | Sep 2, 2025through Oct 7, 2025 |
| E. COLI | MT0004039 | Resolved | Aug 14, 2025through Sep 23, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | MT0002917 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jul 17, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0000196 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| TTHM | MT0005088 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MT0005088 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0000590 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2024through Feb 4, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0002978 | Unaddressed | Dec 30, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0003782 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2024through Feb 4, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0000600 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2024through May 22, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0004489 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2024through Feb 5, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MT0003183 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2024through Mar 10, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0003043 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0000601 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0005088 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
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 Helena ZIP 59601 using 84.1 PPM nearby hardness and 4 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Arsenic 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.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Helena
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Helena
Is tap water safe in Helena?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 84.1 PPM, or 4.9 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.