HELENA WATER SYSTEMmain system
City water report · 2026

Is Helena Tap Water Safe? 2026 Water Quality Report

Short answer: No measured result is above a legal limit; lithium sits above a screening level. Helena Water System serves 32,091 residents.

Likely match, check your bill

3 water systems report serving Helena

This report uses the largest, HELENA WATER SYSTEM. Your water bill or annual water quality report names your actual supplier.

Source
Surface water
Lead service lines
0 lead, 214 unknown

Source: EPA SDWIS 2026Q2.

Every detected result

2 detected results, by distance from their limit

HELENA WATER SYSTEM (EPA PWSID MT0000241) delivers surface water to 32,091 residents. This report reflects 29 individual PFAS result(s) from the source UCMR5 observations and the latest Lead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile result. Water hardness and disinfectant type are pending the utility's own annual report.

  • LithiumEPA UCMR 5 · 2023
    10 µg/L EPA health reference level (screening, not a legal limit)
    78µg/L
    Above screening
  • Lead (90th percentile)EPA SDWIS (Lead & Copper Rule) · 2022
    15 µg/L federal action level
    3µg/L
    Within reference
29 other contaminants tested, none detected
  • 11Cl-PF3OUdS
  • 4:2 FTS
  • 6:2 FTS
  • 8:2 FTS
  • 9Cl-PF3ONS
  • ADONA
  • HFPO-DA (GenX)
  • NEtFOSAA
  • NFDHA
  • NMeFOSAA
  • PFBA
  • PFBS
  • PFDA
  • PFDoA
  • PFEESA
  • PFHpA
  • PFHpS
  • PFHxA
  • PFHxS
  • PFMBA
  • PFMPA
  • PFNA
  • PFOA
  • PFOS
  • PFPeA
  • PFPeS
  • PFTA
  • PFTrDA
  • PFUnA

Coverage by group

31 results on record
  • PFAS (forever chemicals)29 not detected
  • Metals & lead1 detected
  • Disinfection by-productsNot monitored
  • Other1 above
Track record

2health-based violations in the last 10 years

From EPA SDWIS. Counted once per contaminant per year, as in the Track record score. All 3 EPA filings are listed below.

Not in this recordDisinfection by-products weren't monitored in this dataset

No result is not a pass. Your utility's annual water quality report may list them, and a certified lab test covers your own tap.

Health-based violations, last 10 years

Every filing is listed; the Track record score counts at most one per contaminant per year.

Filings 2014–2023
  • Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

Resolved

  1. Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)MCL

    to Resolved

    EPA status: ResolvedSDWIS ID 1183487

  2. Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)MCL

    to Resolved

    EPA status: ResolvedSDWIS ID 1183486

  3. Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)MCL

    to Resolved

    EPA status: ResolvedSDWIS ID 1183485

Test your own tap

Screening tells you if something is worth a closer look; a lab result is the number you can act on.

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

  • Screening: quick check, not lab-grade

    Safe Home DIY Lead in Drinking Water Combo Test Kit

    Safe Home (EnviroTestKits)

    Lead, read as one of three ranges: 0–4, 5–15 or 15+ ppb

    • Turnaround: 5 minutes

    What it can't tell you: It shows a lead range, not an exact level, and tests nothing else unless you pay extra for the optional lab test.

  • Lab-certified results

    ETR Labs Basic Water Quality Test Kit

    ETR Laboratories

    50+ substances, including lead, copper, arsenic, nitrate, hardness and coliform bacteria

    What it can't tell you: It does not test PFAS, and not every result on the panel falls under the lab's accredited scope.

Commercial

Certified for a concern found here

Each card names which Helena findings its current certification covers, and which it doesn't.

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. A product appears here only when a current certification record covers at least one identified concern; every concern stays listed. The retail offer is looked up afterwards and never changes which products appear or their order. Affiliate disclosure.

Under-Sink Filter

Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under-Sink Filter (AQ-6300M)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Lithium
Not suitable for (5)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
  • Renters who can't modify plumbing
Countertop System

Aquasana Clean Water Machine Countertop Filter (AQ-CWM2)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Lithium
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
See all 9 products certified for a Helena concern →
Countertop System

AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse-Osmosis Purifier (AT2000)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Lithium
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Water Pitcher

Culligan ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher (ZEROP10)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Lithium
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Faucet Attachment

Faucet-Mount Filter

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Lithium
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Block Filter

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Lithium
Not suitable for (4)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Reverse-Osmosis System

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Lithium
Not suitable for (5)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
  • Renters who can't modify plumbing
Under-Sink Filter

Waterdrop G3P600 Tankless Reverse-Osmosis System

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Lithium
Not suitable for (5)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
  • Renters who can't modify plumbing
Refrigerator Filter

Whirlpool Filter 3 Refrigerator Water Filter (WHR3RXD1)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Lithium
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Helena tap water safe to drink?

PurityMap does not give a safe/unsafe verdict; it shows what the public records measured. For Helena, no regulated PFAS were detected in EPA's 2024 testing; the lead 90th-percentile result was 3 µg/L against the 15 µg/L action level. HELENA WATER SYSTEM (PWSID MT0000241) has a Purity Score of 94/100 (confidence: moderate), assessed at the water-system level and computed only from contaminants that were measured. Water can change in your own pipes, so a certified test is the only way to know what comes out of your tap.

Who provides tap water in Helena?

HELENA WATER SYSTEM (PWS ID MT0000241) is the public water system on record for Helena, Montana, serving about 32,091 people. Confirm the utility on your water bill before acting on a specific finding.

Where does Helena get its drinking water?

Surface water (primary source of record in EPA SDWIS).

Are PFAS "forever chemicals" in Helena's water?

None of the 29 PFAS in EPA's UCMR 5 testing (2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13) was detected. "Not detected" means below the lab's reporting limit, not proven zero.

Is there lead in Helena's tap water?

HELENA WATER SYSTEM's most recent lead 90th-percentile result (2022–2024) was 3 µg/L, below the 15 µg/L action level. That figure comes from sampled homes; lead usually enters from a building's own pipes and fixtures, so only a test at your tap tells you what you drink.

What does the latest Helena water report show?

PurityMap's current record for Helena holds 31 findings: 1 above a reference, 1 detected within the reference and 29 not detected. Each finding links to its dated public record; a parameter that was never monitored is shown as pending, not as a pass.

Follow this water

Follow Helena's water

One email when a new sampling round is published, a result moves above or below its reference, or the system's score changes.

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Sources and dataAll 31 records and their sourcesEPA UCMR 5 · EPA SDWIS (Lead & Copper Rule)
ContaminantResultBenchmarkSampledSource
Lithium78 µg/L10 µg/L EPA health reference level (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Lead (90th percentile)3 µg/L15 µg/L federal action level2022–2024 monitoring periodLead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
29 other PFAS tested — none detected
ContaminantResultBenchmarkSampledSource
11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)< 2 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (GenX chemicals)< 5 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)< 6 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)< 20 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)< 4 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)< 3 ng/L2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)< 3 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)< 3 ng/L400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)< 4 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)< 4 ng/L4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)< 4 ng/L4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)< 4 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)< 8 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)< 7 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)< 2 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)

Lithium

Result
78 µg/L
Benchmark
10 µg/L EPA health reference level (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08

Lead (90th percentile)

Result
3 µg/L
Benchmark
15 µg/L federal action level
Sampled
2022–2024 monitoring period
29 other PFAS tested — none detected

11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)

Result
< 2 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (GenX chemicals)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08

N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)

Result
< 6 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08

Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)

Result
< 20 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)

Result
< 8 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08

Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)

Result
< 7 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-05-08

Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)

Result
< 2 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-07-19 to 2024-06-13

Every value is the published result from the cited public record. A reporting limit is the lowest level the method could reliably quantify; a non-detect is not a guarantee of zero.

  • UCMR5 Analytical Results

    UCMR5 Analytical Results: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)

    US EPA

    Published
    2026-01-15
    Newest sample
    2024-06-13
    Findings here
    30
  • State SDWIS Compliance Record

    Lead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: HELENA WATER SYSTEM (MT0000241)

    US EPA SDWIS

    Published
    2026-07-09
    Newest sample
    2024
    Findings here
    1

Methodology: how we analyze water. Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the PurityMap Editorial Team before publication.