01The verdict: is East Helena water safe?
East Helena's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (50/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 10 water systems serve approximately 2,607 residents using groundwater (wells).
98 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 2.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓53 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓East Helena's drinking water received a grade of D+ (50 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 10 water systems serve approximately 2,607 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 941 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 98 remain unresolved.
East Helena ranks #73 out of 110 cities in Montana for water quality, placing it below average in the state. East Helena relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. As a small community water system, East Helena may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 53 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in East Helena's water
Every contaminant flagged in East Helena, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Montana
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Montana
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03East Helena's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 941 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 98 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 2 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2026) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where East Helena's water comes from
East Helena's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
10 systems
10 water systems, operated under private ownership.
2,607 people
Residents served across East Helena's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 2,607 people through 10 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EASTGATE VILLAGE SEWER AND WATER | MT0001784 | 2,000 | Groundwater |
| PELE PARK | MT0000593 | 186 | Groundwater |
| DAVIS MEADOW VILLAGE | MT0003990 | 180 | Groundwater |
| MOUNTAIN HERITAGE WATER SYSTEM | MT0002873 | 175 | Groundwater |
| BUZZ INN | MT0000592 | 95 | Groundwater |
| MCDONALD TRAILER CT | MT0000402 | 75 | Groundwater |
| DAKOTA VALLEY MOBILE HOME PARK | MT0004562 | 75 | Groundwater |
| SUNNYBROOK ACRES HOA | MT0002482 | 50 | Groundwater |
| PHOENIX PARK | MT0000594 | 36 | Groundwater |
| BAHNY BRAE SUBDIVISION | MT0003196 | 35 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near East Helena
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on East Helena's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
4 federal disaster declarations on record for Lewis and Clark County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
06How East Helena compares
Scores for nearby Montana cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Montana average (48/100)
East Helena scores 50/100 — on par with the Montana average of 48/100. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities. Full Montana rankings →
39.6 / 100FMissoula, MT
42.6 / 100FBozeman, MT
43.4 / 100FGreat Falls, MT
34.5 / 100FKalispell, MT
40.1 / 100FHelena, MT
39.1 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in East Helena's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
East Helena's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for East Helena alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is East Helena, MT tap water safe to drink?
East Helena's water quality earned a grade of D+ (50/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #73 out of 110 cities tested in Montana.
What contaminants are in East Helena's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 941 violations are on record.
How is East Helena'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 East Helena?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does East Helena's water come from?
East Helena's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 10 water systems serving approximately 2,607 residents.
What health violations has East Helena's water system had?
East Helena has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 98 violations remain unresolved.
Is East Helena's groundwater at risk of contamination?
East Helena uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 941 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does East Helena's water compare to other cities?
East Helena ranks #73 out of 110 cities in Montana (better than 34% of state cities) and #12857 out of 15382 cities nationally (16th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.