Is White Sulphur Springs, MT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 11 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
51/100
waterverge.com White Sulphur Springs, MT — Water Quality Report
White Sulphur Springs's drinking water received a grade of D+ (51 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,087 residents using 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 419 violations on record, including 44 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.
What to know about White Sulphur Springs's water
White Sulphur Springs ranks #77 out of 115 cities in Montana for water quality, placing it below average 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, White Sulphur Springs may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 17 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is White Sulphur Springs, MT water safe to drink?
White Sulphur Springs's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (51/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,087 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for White Sulphur Springs
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into White Sulphur Springs's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (51/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3253). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-640). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for White Sulphur Springs's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
White Sulphur Springs's water system has 419 total violations on record, including 44 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved. 17 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Meagher County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1975. 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 White Sulphur Springs's water come from?
White Sulphur Springs's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,087 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What White Sulphur Springs residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in White Sulphur Springs'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.
White Sulphur 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
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtMeagher County is currently in D2 (severe 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
Meagher County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1975. 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 White Sulphur Springs compares by contaminant
Explore where White Sulphur Springs ranks among all Montana cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where White Sulphur Springs's water comes from
White Sulphur Springs'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 1,087 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving White Sulphur Springs
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS CITY OF | MT0000360 | 1,000 | SW |
| SPRINGDALE HUTTERITE COLONY | MT0000134 | 87 | GW |
How White Sulphur Springs compares
Full Montana rankings →White Sulphur Springs's score of 51/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Montana cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Montana rankings →About White Sulphur Springs, MT
Wikipedia →White Sulphur Springs is a city in and the county seat of Meagher County, Montana, United States. The population was 955 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to White Sulphur Springs's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Meagher
Frequently asked questions
Is White Sulphur Springs, MT tap water safe to drink?
White Sulphur Springs's water quality earned a grade of D+ (51/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #77 out of 115 cities tested in Montana.
What contaminants are in White Sulphur Springs's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 419 violations are on record.
How is White Sulphur 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 White Sulphur Springs?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does White Sulphur Springs's water come from?
White Sulphur Springs's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,087 residents.
What health violations has White Sulphur Springs's water system had?
White Sulphur Springs has 44 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 11 violations remain unresolved.
How does White Sulphur Springs's water compare to other cities?
White Sulphur Springs ranks #77 out of 115 cities in Montana (better than 33% of state cities) and #12945 out of 15744 cities nationally (18th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.