01The verdict: is Poplar water safe?
Poplar's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (75/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 4,751 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 2.03 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 ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓14 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 ↓Poplar's drinking water received a grade of B (75 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 4,751 residents using purchased surface water.
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 32 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Poplar ranks #47 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. The system has seen 14 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Poplar's water
Every contaminant flagged in Poplar, 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. | 0.0 | 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. | 2.03 | 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
03Poplar'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 32 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
3 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 1 ppb since 2013. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▲ Up 0.39 mg/L since 2013. The latest reading (2.0 mg/L, 2017) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Poplar's water comes from
Poplar'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.
2 systems
2 water systems (1 wholesaler), operated under native american ownership.
4,751 people
Residents served across Poplar'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 native american ownership and serves approximately 4,751 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| POPLAR, CITY OF | 083090051 | 3,025 | Purchased Surface Water |
| ASSINIBOINE & SIOUX RURAL WATER SYSTEM | 083090050 | 1,726 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Poplar
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Poplar's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Poplar'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
2 federal disaster declarations on record for Roosevelt County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Poplar compares
Scores for nearby Montana cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Montana average (48/100)
Poplar scores 75/100 — 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
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Poplar's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
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 Poplar 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 Poplar, MT tap water safe to drink?
Poplar's water quality earned a grade of B (75/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #47 out of 110 cities tested in Montana.
What contaminants are in Poplar's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 32 violations are on record.
How is Poplar'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 Poplar?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Poplar's water come from?
Poplar's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 4,751 residents.
What health violations has Poplar's water system had?
Poplar has 8 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. 3 violations remain unresolved.
How does Poplar's water compare to other cities?
Poplar ranks #47 out of 110 cities in Montana (better than 57% of state cities) and #9578 out of 15382 cities nationally (38th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.