01The verdict: is Fort Harrison water safe?
Fort Harrison's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B+ (82.1/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,275 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.75 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Top half in Montana
Fort Harrison ranks #29 of 110 graded Montana cities.
See the comparison ↓7 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 ↓Fort Harrison's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,275 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 7.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 14 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Fort Harrison ranks #29 out of 110 cities in Montana for water quality, placing it mid-range 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Fort Harrison may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 7 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Fort Harrison's water
Every contaminant flagged in Fort Harrison, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 7.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.75 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
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
03Fort Harrison'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 14 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
6 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 6 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 7 ppb (2023) — 47% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
1.8mg/L(1994)
One sampling round on record — 135% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Fort Harrison's water comes from
Fort Harrison's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under federal ownership.
1,275 people
Residents served across Fort Harrison's service area.
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 federal ownership and serves approximately 1,275 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA MEDICAL CENTER HELENA | MT0000246 | 1,275 | Purchased Surface Water |
05How Fort Harrison compares
Scores for nearby Montana cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Montana average (48/100)
Fort Harrison scores 82.1/100 — above the Montana average of 48/100. It outscores 9 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.→
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Fort Harrison's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 7.0 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Fort Harrison alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Harrison, MT tap water safe to drink?
Fort Harrison's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #29 out of 110 cities tested in Montana.
What contaminants are in Fort Harrison's water?
Lead was measured at 7.0 ppb (90th percentile). 14 violations are on record.
How is Fort Harrison'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 Fort Harrison?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Fort Harrison's water come from?
Fort Harrison's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,275 residents.
How does Fort Harrison's water compare to other cities?
Fort Harrison ranks #29 out of 110 cities in Montana (better than 74% of state cities) and #7080 out of 15382 cities nationally (54th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Fort Harrison's small water system affect quality?
Fort Harrison's system serves approximately 1,275 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 14 violations on record.