Hardness
Moderately Hard
78 PPM · 4.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Philipsburg, MT 59858
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Granite County.
12 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Philipsburg Town Of
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Granite County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
12 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.001 mg/L
7% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 1,360 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
78 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
78
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
4.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 78 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
57
Nearest site
28.7 mi
Observation range
Feb 3, 2016–Jun 9, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Lost Creek near Anaconda MT (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 59858 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Philipsburg median
78 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 78–78 PPM
Montana median
122 PPM
44 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 pass2 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.001 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
1.7 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2005
Numerical coverage
3 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.001
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.7
EPA limit 1.3
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.063
EPA limit 0.06
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 19
- Health-based
- 19
- Active health-based
- 12
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Feb 1, 2026 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Dec 1, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Nov 1, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Sep 1, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Jun 1, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | May 1, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.063 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | MT0000304 | Archived | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Apr 1, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | MT0000304 | Addressed | Mar 1, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.062 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | MT0000304 | Archived | Jan 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.061 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | MT0000304 | Archived | Oct 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.067 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | MT0000304 | Archived | Apr 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.067 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | MT0000304 | Archived | Jan 1, 2024through Mar 31, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.067 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | MT0000304 | Archived | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.07 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | MT0000304 | Archived | Jul 1, 2023through Sep 30, 2023 |
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 Philipsburg ZIP 59858 using 78 PPM nearby hardness and 3 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), 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 Philipsburg
Is tap water safe in Philipsburg?+
EPA ECHO reports 12 active health-based violations 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 78 PPM, or 4.6 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.