Is Santa Rita, MT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
89.9/100
waterverge.com Santa Rita, MT — Water Quality Report
Santa Rita's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 628 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 27 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Santa Rita's water
Santa Rita ranks #7 out of 115 cities in Montana for water quality, placing it one of the best 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.
As a small community water system, Santa Rita may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Santa Rita, MT water safe to drink?
Santa Rita's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 628 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Santa Rita
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Santa Rita's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.9/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Diquat, Endothall, Glyphosate.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3253). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-761). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Santa Rita's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Santa Rita's water system has 27 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Glacier County has experienced 4 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. Local water sources include Cut Bank Creek At Cut Bank.
Where does Santa Rita's water come from?
Santa Rita's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 628 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Cut Bank Creek At Cut Bank (river).
What Santa Rita 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.
Santa Rita'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
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtGlacier County is currently in D3 (extreme 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
Glacier County has experienced 4 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 Santa Rita compares by contaminant
Explore where Santa Rita ranks among all Montana cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Santa Rita's water comes from
Santa Rita'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 628 people through 2 water systems.
Water bodies near Santa Rita
Santa Rita is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Santa Rita
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUT BANK NORTH WATER DISTRICT | MT0000619 | 478 | SWP |
| HORIZON COLONY | MT0004529 | 150 | GW |
How Santa Rita compares
Full Montana rankings →Santa Rita's score of 89.9/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Montana cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Montana rankings →About Santa Rita, MT
Wikipedia →Cut Bank is a city in and the county seat of Glacier County, Montana, United States, located just east of the "cut bank" (gorge) along Cut Bank Creek. The population was 3,056 at the 2020 census. The town was founded in 1891 with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Santa Rita's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Glacier
Frequently asked questions
Is Santa Rita, MT tap water safe to drink?
Santa Rita's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #7 out of 115 cities tested in Montana.
What contaminants are in Santa Rita's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 27 violations are on record.
How is Santa Rita'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 Santa Rita?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Santa Rita's water come from?
Santa Rita's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 628 residents.
How does Santa Rita's water compare to other cities?
Santa Rita ranks #7 out of 115 cities in Montana (better than 94% of state cities) and #2533 out of 15744 cities nationally (84th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.