City of Harlem
EPA ID: MT0000239 · 820 people served · 1 ZIP code
Not yet resolved: 21 EPA violations at City of Harlem, affecting about 820 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 4 (2023) to 4 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Harlem Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The City of Harlem serves a community with a median household income of $60,741 and an estimated 2,584 residents across its service area. Approximately 71% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 100% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
City of Harlem's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 3% of homes in Blaine County, Montana rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Harlem compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 17 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Montana
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
City of Harlem (EPA ID: MT0000239) is a community water system in Montana that serves approximately 820 people from surface water sources.
This system serves ZIP code 59526 in Harlem.
Average Home Safety Score: D (40/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| August 26, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0800 | Health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 17 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | Yes |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 3 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59526 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 59526 — Harlem
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Harlem (MT0000239) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Harlem water safe to drink?
City of Harlem has recorded 21 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does City of Harlem serve?
City of Harlem serves approximately 820 people across 1 ZIP code in Montana.
Where does City of Harlem get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Water Source & Treatment
Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.
Source: Harlem City of Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Harlem City of Consumer Confidence Report.
Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Notable events and violations
This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.
Federal compliance violations on record
These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).
-
MCL · Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)2024-07-01/2024-09-30
Water samples showed that the amount of this contaminant in our drinking water was above its standard (MCL) for the period indicated.
-
FOLLOW-UP OR ROUTINE TAP M/R (LCR)2024-10-01/2024
We failed to test our drinking water for the contaminant and period indicated. Because of this failure, we cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during the period indicated.
-
FAILURE TO PROVIDE LT2 TREATMENT2024-07-01/2024-07-31
We failed to implement one or more treatment processes or control strategies for cryptosporidium (these are necessary based on results from source water monitoring).
-
MONITORING, ROUTINE, MAJOR (RTCR)2024-11-01/2024-11-30
We failed to test our drinking water for the contaminant and period indicated. Because of this failure, we cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during the period indicated.
-
MCL · Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)2024-01-01/2024-03-31
Water samples showed that the amount of this contaminant in our drinking water was above its standard (MCL) for the period indicated.
-
MCL · Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)2024-04-01/2024-06-30
Water samples showed that the amount of this contaminant in our drinking water was above its standard (MCL) for the period indicated.
-
MCL · Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)2024-07-01/2024-09-30
Water samples showed that the amount of this contaminant in our drinking water was above its standard (MCL) for the period indicated.
Violations record from Harlem City of Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
City of Harlem (EPA ID: MT0000239) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.