Is Helena tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Helena's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

85/100
Purity Score
1
Issues Found
4.5 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

1 Issue Detected in Helena

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.1 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Helena
Montana

5,960,159,602 · Missouri River and Tenmile Creek

Helena Water Safety and Contaminant Report

Low Risk Updated March 2026 32,315 residents
See Best Filters for Helena
85
Purity Score

Water quality in Helena, Montana is evaluated here using public utility data and independent testing. The report includes a purity score, contaminant breakdown, and tailored filter recommendations.

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
1 ppb
Nitrate
0.4 mg/L
Arsenic
0.1 mg/L
Hardness
4.5 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Helena's water meets current EPA standards. Filtration can improve taste and provide extra safety.

Score

85 /100
Excellent
"Good" threshold (70)

Helena tap water is sourced from Missouri River and Tenmile Creek and treated by City of Helena Water Division. Overall purity score: 85/100 (Excellent). Updated for 2026.

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Helena Water FAQ

Is Helena MT tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Helena tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 85/100 (Excellent) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Helena MT use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Helena uses chlorine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 0.7 ppm. Standard activated carbon filters including pitcher filters are effective at removing free chlorine taste and odor.
How hard is Helena MT water and what is the TDS level?
Helena water hardness is 4.5 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 155 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Helena MT drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Helena drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Helena?
Based on Helena's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Helena water scores well overall. A pitcher filter provides extra precaution and improves taste for drinking and cooking.

Nearby Reports

BillingsMontana — 85/100MissoulaMontana — 85/100Great FallsMontana — 85/100BozemanMontana — 85/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Helena Water Division CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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