Hardness
Very Hard
284 PPM · 16.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Hinsdale, MT 59241
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Valley County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Hinsdale Water Department
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Valley 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
0.029 mg/L
193% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 250 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
284 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
284
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
16.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 284 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
56
Nearest site
27.4 mi
Observation range
Jun 19, 2020–Sep 25, 2024
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 33N40E28ABAC01 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 59241 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Hinsdale median
284 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 284–284 PPM
Montana median
122 PPM
162 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.
0 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.029 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.029
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 5
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0000250 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | MT0000250 | Unaddressed | Nov 11, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | MT0000250 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jul 17, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0000250 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2025through Feb 28, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MT0000250 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2021through Jul 31, 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 Hinsdale ZIP 59241 using 284 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
284 PPM is 2× 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
Lead (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 Hinsdale
Is tap water safe in Hinsdale?+
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 284 PPM, or 16.6 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 284 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.