Water System Report MT

Lakeside Water System

EPA ID: MT0000266 · 1,225 people served · 3 ZIP codes

In every reporting cycle over the past five years, Lakeside Water System has come through without a single EPA violation — a consistent performance across the full service population of approximately 1,225 residents that reflects both well-maintained infrastructure and reliable operational oversight.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
1,225
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$549K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Lakeside Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$70,391
Median Household Income
65,857
Service Area Population
37%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
44%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Lakeside Water System serves a community with a median household income of $70,391 and an estimated 65,857 residents across its service area. Approximately 44% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 37% 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?

Groundwater

Lakeside Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
10th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Flathead 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

34 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
36 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 49% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 2 detections recorded. 1 exceeds federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Montana

0 violations
0 violations
Helena Leisure Llc
1,200 people
0 violations
D 6 violations
City of Chinook
1,300 people
D 6 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $400
PFAS Treatment $200
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,800 (one-time) vs. $330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Lakeside Water System (EPA ID: MT0000266) is a community water system in Montana that serves approximately 1,225 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
59922 0.003 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 Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by MT or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Lakeside Water System (MT0000266) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lakeside Water System water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Lakeside Water System has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Lakeside Water System serve?

Lakeside Water System serves approximately 1,225 people across 3 ZIP codes in Montana.

Where does Lakeside Water System get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.

Source: LAKESIDE WATER SYSTEM Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
455
Confirmed Non-Lead

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.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,225
Reported to Montana

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Lakeside Water System safe to drink?
Lakeside Water System has a C safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Lakeside Water System meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Lakeside Water System serve?
Lakeside Water System serves approximately 1,225 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Lakeside Water System's water source?
Lakeside Water System draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Lakeside Water System's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Lakeside Water System's service area?
The Lakeside Water System service area has a median household income of $70,391. EPA EJScreen data classifies 37% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Lakeside Water System get its water?
Lakeside Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Lakeside Water System (EPA ID: MT0000266) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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