Is Havre, MT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Havre tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 110 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Havre Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Havre Compares
Havre's water is close to the national average of 138 PPM, ranking #548 out of 1000 cities tracked. Within Montana, Havre has the 2nd hardest water out of 8 cities - 49% above the state average of 74 PPM. Among smaller cities, Havre ranks #129 of 288 for hardness.
What Havre's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 110 PPM - Low Concern
Havre's water is firmly in the moderate range at 110 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Havre's water has TTHMs at 38.5 ppb and HAA5 at 20.9 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Havre's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 38.5 ppb (48% of the legal limit, but 257x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 20.9 ppb (35% of the legal limit, but 209x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 110 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 195 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 3 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.0833 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Havre Homes
How to Test Your Water in Havre
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Havre Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Havre's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Havre Water
Water Source: Fresno Reservoir (Milk River) (Surface Water)
Population Served: 9,921
Hardness: 110 PPM (6.4 grains per gallon)
Havre's drinking water comes from surface sources — Fresno Reservoir (Milk River). Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 10,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Havre Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Havre Water in Havre, MT, including ZIP codes:
59223, 59225, 59230, 59231, 59240, 59241, 59244, 59248, 59250, 59253, 59260, 59261, 59273, 59444, 59451, 59471, 59489, 59501, 59520, 59521, 59522, 59523, 59524, 59525, 59526, 59527, 59528, 59529, 59530, 59531, 59532, 59535, 59537, 59538, 59540, 59542, 59544, 59545, 59546, 59547
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Havre to Other Montana Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Havre Water
Is Havre tap water safe to drink?
Where does Havre's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Havre?
What is the hardness of Havre water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Havre's water?
Can I drink Havre tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Havre compare to the Montana average?
What water filter is best for Havre?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.