City of Great Falls
EPA ID: MT0000525 · 60,000 people served · 8 ZIP codes
Despite the 13 historical violations in its record, City of Great Falls has cleared every one and now meets EPA standards serving 60,000 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 3 (2023) to 1 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Great Falls Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The City of Great Falls serves a community with a median household income of $60,509 and an estimated 76,867 residents across its service area. Approximately 79% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 41% 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 Great Falls'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 1% of homes in Cascade County, Montana rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Great Falls compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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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 Great Falls (EPA ID: MT0000525) is a community water system in Montana that serves approximately 60,000 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 8 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (53/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 18, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 4, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 21, 2023 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 5 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59401 | 0.008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 59403 | 0.008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 59404 | 0.008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 59405 | 0.008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 59406 | 0.008 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
Coverage: 4 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 4 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 59401 — Great Falls
- 59402 — Malmstrom A F B
- 59403 — Great Falls
- 59404 — Great Falls
- 59405 — Great Falls
- 59406 — Great Falls
- 59414 — Black Eagle
- 59440 — Floweree
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Great Falls (MT0000525) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Great Falls water safe to drink?
City of Great Falls has recorded 2 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 Great Falls serve?
City of Great Falls serves approximately 60,000 people across 8 ZIP codes in Montana.
Where does City of Great Falls get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
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.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
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 Great Falls (EPA ID: MT0000525) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.