Montana · population 34,729
Lead pipes in Helena, MT
214 lines still unidentified
Most of Helena (population 34,729) gets its water from Helena Water System. It reported no confirmed lead service lines, but 214 of 1,055 lines are still listed as unknown material, so lead hasn't been ruled out.
0% of Helena Water System's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Montana average (1.1%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) 0%
- Unknown 20%
- Non-lead 80%
Latest lead test for Helena Water System (Jan 2022–Dec 2024): 3 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for Helena Water System.
Water systems serving Helena
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena Water SystemMain system | 0 | 0 | 214 | 0% |
| City of East HelenaAlso serves parts of the city | 1 | 140 | 0 | 16% |
| Homestead Valley Wua HvhaAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 1 | 44 | 2.2% |
| Camelot HOAAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 1 | 19 | 4.2% |
| Helena Leisure LLCAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| North Star PUDAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Helena RV and Mobile Home ParkAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0% |
| Grass Land EstatesAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0% |
| Pebble Gardens Mobile Home CTAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0% |
| Blue Cloud SubdivisionAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Broadwater Estates HOAAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Helena
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Helena Water System's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- East Helena13 lead + galv. lines
- Townsend8 lead + galv. lines
- Deer Lodge10 lead + galv. lines
- Butte-Silver Bow556 lead + galv. lines
- Belgrade25 lead + galv. lines
- Great Falls738 lead + galv. lines
- Bozeman3 lead + galv. lines
- Livingston170 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Helena, MT have lead pipes?
None are confirmed, but Helena Water System still lists 214 service lines as unknown material.
Who supplies water to Helena?
EPA's service area maps place most of Helena in Helena Water System's service area (PWSID MT0000241). City of East Helena, Homestead Valley Wua Hvha, Camelot HOA, Helena Leisure LLC, North Star PUD, Helena RV and Mobile Home Park, Grass Land Estates, Pebble Gardens Mobile Home CT, Blue Cloud Subdivision, Broadwater Estates HOA also serve parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Helena home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Helena Water System's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Helena be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Helena Water System whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.