01The verdict: is Pablo water safe?
Pablo's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (43/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 19 water systems serve approximately 4,263 residents using groundwater (wells).
32 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 ↓4K people, 19 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓284 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 ↓Pablo's drinking water received a grade of F (43 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 19 water systems serve approximately 4,263 residents using groundwater.
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 542 violations on record, including 116 health-based violations. 32 remain unresolved.
Pablo ranks #97 out of 110 cities in Montana for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Pablo 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. 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. The system has seen 284 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Pablo's water
Every contaminant flagged in Pablo, 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. | 10.0 | 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
03Pablo'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 542 violations on record, including 116 health-based violations. 32 remain unresolved.
2 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 5 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Pablo's water comes from
Pablo'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.
19 systems
19 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
4,263 people
Residents served across Pablo'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 4,263 people through 19 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PABLO LAKE COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DIST | MT0001917 | 2,175 | Groundwater |
| ST IGNATIUS (MISSION) SO.SIDE | 083090031 | 356 | Groundwater |
| PACHE WATER SYSTEM | 083090036 | 250 | Groundwater |
| TURTLE LAKE WATER SYSTEM | 083090032 | 225 | Groundwater |
| DIXON, TOWN OF | 083090034 | 216 | Groundwater |
| ELMO WATER SYSTEM | 083090024 | 210 | Groundwater |
| ARLEE | 083090027 | 124 | Groundwater |
| WOODCOCK WATER SYSTEM | 083090033 | 101 | Groundwater |
| MISSION DAM WATER SYSTEM | 083090029 | 87 | Groundwater |
| SCHLEY WATER SYSTEM | 083090030 | 85 | Groundwater |
| DIXON (OLD AGENCY) | 083090023 | 72 | Groundwater |
| CHIEF MARTIN CHARLO HOMESITE | 083090305 | 66 | Groundwater |
| BIG ARM WATER SYSTEM | 083090309 | 66 | Groundwater |
| CSKT DIVISION OF FIRE MANAGEMENT | 083090320 | 60 | Groundwater |
| EVARO WATER SYSTEM | 083090025 | 40 | Groundwater |
| HOULE VILLA WATER SYSTEM | 083090026 | 38 | Groundwater |
| CLARICE PAUL WATER SYSTEM | 083090021 | 35 | Groundwater |
| GRAY WOLF VILLAGE | 083090038 | 32 | Groundwater |
| DAYTON WATER SYSTEM | 083090022 | 25 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Pablo
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Pablo'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.
Flood & storm history
3 federal disaster declarations on record for Lake County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Pablo compares
Scores for nearby Montana cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Montana average (48/100)
Pablo scores 43/100 — on par with the Montana average of 48/100. It outscores 6 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 Pablo's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 10.0 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 Pablo 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 Pablo, MT tap water safe to drink?
Pablo's water quality earned a grade of F (43/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #97 out of 110 cities tested in Montana.
What contaminants are in Pablo's water?
Lead was measured at 10.0 ppb (90th percentile). 542 violations are on record.
How is Pablo'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 Pablo?
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 Pablo's water come from?
Pablo's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 19 water systems serving approximately 4,263 residents.
What health violations has Pablo's water system had?
Pablo has 116 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. 32 violations remain unresolved.
Is Pablo's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Pablo 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 542 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 Pablo's water compare to other cities?
Pablo ranks #97 out of 110 cities in Montana (better than 12% of state cities) and #14359 out of 15382 cities nationally (7th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.