Is Cut Bank, MT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 32 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
49/100
waterverge.com Cut Bank, MT — Water Quality Report
Cut Bank's drinking water received a grade of D (49 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 9 water systems serve approximately 3,803 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 453 violations on record, including 29 health-based violations. 32 remain unresolved.
What to know about Cut Bank's water
Cut Bank ranks #84 out of 115 cities in Montana for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
The system has seen 17 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Cut Bank, MT water safe to drink?
Cut Bank's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (49/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 9 water systems serve approximately 3,803 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Cut Bank
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Cut Bank's water quality assessment. Grade: D (49/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3253). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-761). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Cut Bank's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Cut Bank's water system has 453 total violations on record, including 29 health-based violations. 32 remain unresolved. 17 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Glacier County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1974. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Cut Bank Creek At Cut Bank.
Where does Cut Bank's water come from?
Cut Bank's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 9 water systems serving approximately 3,803 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Cut Bank Creek At Cut Bank (river).
What Cut Bank residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Cut Bank's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Cut Bank's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtGlacier County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Glacier County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1974. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Cut Bank compares by contaminant
Explore where Cut Bank ranks among all Montana cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Cut Bank's water comes from
Cut Bank's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 3,803 people through 9 water systems.
Water bodies near Cut Bank
Cut Bank is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Cut Bank
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUT BANK CITY OF | MT0000193 | 3,105 | SW |
| GLENDALE COLONY | MT0001648 | 150 | GW |
| SEVILLE COLONY | MT0002974 | 116 | SW |
| BIG SKY COLONY CUT BANK | MT0001647 | 107 | GW |
| GLACIER COLONY | MT0000566 | 80 | GW |
| HIDDEN LAKE COLONY | MT0003932 | 80 | GW |
| ZENITH COLONY | MT0004768 | 70 | GW |
| NCMRWA SHELBY TO ETHRIDGE | MT0004936 | 70 | GWP |
| NCMRWA ETHERIDGE TO CUTBANK | MT0004993 | 25 | GWP |
How Cut Bank compares
Full Montana rankings →Cut Bank's score of 49/100 is on par with the average of 45/100 among major Montana cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Montana rankings →About Cut Bank, MT
Wikipedia →Cut Bank is a city in and the county seat of Glacier County, Montana, United States, located just east of the "cut bank" (gorge) along Cut Bank Creek. The population was 3,056 at the 2020 census. The town was founded in 1891 with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Cut Bank's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Glacier
Frequently asked questions
Is Cut Bank, MT tap water safe to drink?
Cut Bank's water quality earned a grade of D (49/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #84 out of 115 cities tested in Montana.
What contaminants are in Cut Bank's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 453 violations are on record.
How is Cut Bank's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Cut Bank?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Cut Bank's water come from?
Cut Bank's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 9 water systems serving approximately 3,803 residents.
What health violations has Cut Bank's water system had?
Cut Bank has 29 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 32 violations remain unresolved.
How does Cut Bank's water compare to other cities?
Cut Bank ranks #84 out of 115 cities in Montana (better than 27% of state cities) and #13318 out of 15744 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.