Water hardness in Montana, characterized by the amount of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, can significantly differ among various cities across the state due to its varied geological landscapes. Situated in the Western U.S., Montana’s water hardness levels reflect the geological diversity within the state.
Across Montana, water hardness can range from moderately soft to very hard, depending on the geological makeup of the area and the source of the water supply. For example, regions with limestone bedrock, such as parts of central Montana and the northern Rocky Mountains, often have harder water due to the high mineral content. In contrast, areas with more sandstone or shale bedrock, such as the Yellowstone River Basin and parts of eastern Montana, may experience softer water.
The variation in water hardness throughout Montana influences not only the taste and aesthetics of the water but also the efficiency of soaps and detergents, plumbing maintenance, and the lifespan of appliances that utilize water. Given the state’s geological diversity, water hardness is not uniform, highlighting the need for localized water treatment solutions and ongoing monitoring of water quality.
In the provided data, the water hardness levels show substantial variations across different cities in Montana. Among the cities for which data is reported, the highest water hardness levels are recorded in Sidney and Shelby, with hardness levels of 515 ppm (30 gpg) and 498 ppm (29 gpg), respectively. Conversely, the city with the lowest recorded water hardness level is Hot Springs, reporting a hardness of 88 ppm (5 gpg).
City | Hardness ppm (mg/L) | Hardness gpg | Information Source | Notes |
Billings | 117 | 7 | Link | |
Missoula | 175 | 10 | Link | |
Great Falls | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Bozeman | 104 | 6 | Link | |
Butte-Silver Bow | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Helena | 128 | 7 | Link | |
Kalispell | 205 | 12 | Link | |
Belgrade | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | 90 | 5 | Link | “Moderately Hard” listed in CCR, used the median of the USGS standard range |
Havre | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Whitefish | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Miles City | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Livingston | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Laurel | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Sidney | 515 | 30 | Link | |
Lewistown | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Columbia Falls | 252 | 15 | Link | |
Polson | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hamilton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Glendive | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Dillon | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hardin | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Glasgow | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Shelby | 498 | 29 | Link | |
Cut Bank | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Deer Lodge | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Libby | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Wolf Point | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Conrad | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Red Lodge | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Ronan | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Manhattan | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Stevensville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Colstrip | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Three Forks | n/a | n/a | Link | |
East Helena | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Townsend | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Columbus | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Malta | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Baker | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Roundup | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Choteau | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Big Timber | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Plentywood | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Forsyth | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fort Benton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Eureka | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Thompson Falls | n/a | n/a | Link | |
West Yellowstone | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Boulder | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Chinook | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Plains | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Harlowton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
White Sulphur Springs | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Whitehall | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Scobey | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Browning | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Ennis | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Superior | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fairview | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Philipsburg | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Chester | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Pinesdale | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Troy | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Darby | n/a | n/a | Link | |
St. Ignatius | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Poplar | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR on MT state website. City doesn’t have its own website |
Harlem | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fairfield | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Culbertson | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Sheridan | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Bridger | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Walkerville | n/a | n/a | Link | City doesn’t have water dept, and it’s not on EPA or Montana website. Could get from Butte, but nothing definitive |
Cascade | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Joliet | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Big Sandy | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Circle | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hot Springs | 88 | 5 | Link | |
Terry | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Belt | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Alberton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Valier | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Broadus | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Wibaux | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lodge Grass | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Stanford | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fromberg | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Ekalaka | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Sunburst | n/a | n/a | Link | Report mentions they have a “hard water well” but doesn’t’ quantify |
Jordan | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Twin Bridges | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Clyde Park | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Nashua | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Dutton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Drummond | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR, also not on the mt.gov site |
Hysham | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Bainville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Medicine Lake | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fort Peck | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Ryegate | n/a | n/a | Link |
ppm = Parts Per Million
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter
gpg = Grains Per Gallon
Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.
These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.