Is Medicine Lake, MT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
79/100
waterverge.com Medicine Lake, MT — Water Quality Report
Medicine Lake's drinking water received a grade of B (79 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 600 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 10.0 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 47 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
What to know about Medicine Lake's water
Medicine Lake ranks #42 out of 115 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, Medicine Lake may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Medicine Lake, MT water safe to drink?
Medicine Lake's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (79/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 600 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Medicine Lake
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Medicine Lake's water quality assessment. Grade: B (79/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4726). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
2 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
2 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3253). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Medicine Lake's water supply.
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Medicine Lake's water system has 47 total violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Sheridan County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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 Medicine Lake's water come from?
Medicine Lake's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 600 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Medicine Lake residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Medicine Lake'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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtSheridan County is currently in D1 (moderate 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
Sheridan County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Medicine Lake's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 10.0 | 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. | 1.93 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how Medicine Lake compares by contaminant
Explore where Medicine Lake ranks among all Montana cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Medicine Lake's water comes from
Medicine Lake'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 600 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Medicine Lake
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDICINE LAKE TOWN OF | MT0000289 | 600 | SWP |
How Medicine Lake compares
Full Montana rankings →Medicine Lake's score of 79/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Montana cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Montana rankings →About Medicine Lake, MT
Wikipedia →Medicine Lake is a town in Sheridan County, Montana, United States. The population was 244 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Medicine Lake's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Sheridan
Frequently asked questions
Is Medicine Lake, MT tap water safe to drink?
Medicine Lake's water quality earned a grade of B (79/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #42 out of 115 cities tested in Montana.
What contaminants are in Medicine Lake's water?
Lead was measured at 10.0 ppb (90th percentile). 47 violations are on record.
How is Medicine Lake'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 Medicine Lake?
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 Medicine Lake's water come from?
Medicine Lake's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 600 residents.
What health violations has Medicine Lake's water system had?
Medicine Lake has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2017. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.
How does Medicine Lake's water compare to other cities?
Medicine Lake ranks #42 out of 115 cities in Montana (better than 63% of state cities) and #8448 out of 15744 cities nationally (46th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Medicine Lake's small water system affect quality?
Medicine Lake'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 47 violations on record.