Is Hot Springs, MT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A- — but Manganese was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
89/100
waterverge.com Hot Springs, MT — Water Quality Report
Hot Springs's drinking water received a grade of A- (89 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 600 residents using groundwater.
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 45 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Hot Springs's water
Hot Springs ranks #9 out of 115 cities in Montana for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Hot Springs 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, Hot Springs may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Hot Springs, MT water safe to drink?
Hot Springs's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 600 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Hot Springs
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Hot Springs's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3630). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Combined Radium (-226 and -228).
Contaminants: Nitrate-Nitrite.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4172). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Hot Springs's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Hot Springs's water system has 45 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Sanders County has experienced 5 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.
Where does Hot Springs's water come from?
Hot Springs's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 600 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Hot Springs residents can do
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.
Hot Springs'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
Flood & disaster history
Sanders County has experienced 5 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 Hot Springs compares by contaminant
Explore where Hot Springs ranks among all Montana cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Hot Springs's water comes from
Hot Springs's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
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 local government ownership and serves approximately 600 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Hot Springs
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOT SPRINGS MUNICIPAL WATER | MT0000251 | 600 | GW |
How Hot Springs compares
Full Montana rankings →Hot Springs's score of 89/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Montana cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Montana rankings →About Hot Springs, MT
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Hot Springs's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Sanders
Frequently asked questions
Is Hot Springs, MT tap water safe to drink?
Hot Springs's water quality earned a grade of A- (89/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #9 out of 115 cities tested in Montana.
What contaminants are in Hot Springs's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 45 violations are on record.
How is Hot Springs'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 Hot Springs?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Hot Springs's water come from?
Hot Springs's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 600 residents.
What health violations has Hot Springs's water system had?
Hot Springs has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is Hot Springs's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Hot Springs 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 45 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 Hot Springs's water compare to other cities?
Hot Springs ranks #9 out of 115 cities in Montana (better than 92% of state cities) and #3141 out of 15744 cities nationally (80th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Hot Springs's small water system affect quality?
Hot Springs's system serves approximately 600 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 45 violations on record.