Montana Lead Service Line Replacement Programs
Who pays to replace lead service lines in Montana?
Montana has no law we found that decides who pays for the private side of a lead service line, so each utility sets its own policy. Montana water systems reported 482 lead and 2,764 galvanized lines to EPA (Q3 2026). We list 2 utilities here.
Montana water systems reported 482 lead and 2,764 galvanized service lines that must be replaced (EPA, Q3 2026). Below: the state rule on who pays, and every Montana utility with at least 500 such lines, a confirmed program, or a recent lead result above 10 ppb.
Federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (40 CFR 141 Subpart I)
This state has no law we found that decides who pays for the private side of a lead service line, so each utility sets its own policy. Under the federal rule, utilities must replace every lead line and galvanized line that needs it within ten years of November 1, 2027, but the rule does not make utilities pay for the owner's side. Federal infrastructure money passed through the state revolving fund can pay for it, so many utilities offer free or discounted replacement, especially for low-income owners.
Mandatory? No state owner mandate found; the federal rule requires most utilities to replace all lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by 2037.
Funding: State Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (federal lead service line money).
For fiscal year 2026, EPA allotted $27,456,000 to Montana for lead service line replacement through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and at least $13,453,440 of it must go out as grants or forgivable loans. Compare every state.
Water testing: Montana's list of state-certified drinking water labs. All states.
Sources: epa.gov
| Utility | Lead | Galv. | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls City of Great Falls | 156 | 582 | Not confirmed |
| Butte Butte Silverbow Water Dept | 20 | 536 | Not confirmed |
Compare: lead lines in every state · cities with the most lead pipes · systems over the lead action level · free programs in Montana
Montana water systems over the new lead action level
4 Montana water systems reported a 90th-percentile lead result above 10 parts per billion, the action level that takes effect under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements in November 2027. Results above 15 ppb, the current action level, are in bold red. See every state.
| Water system | Population | Lead, 90th pct. (ppb) | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls City of Great Falls · Cascade County | 60,000 | 12 | 2026-01 to 2026-06 |
| Absarokee Absarokee Water and Sewer Dist · Stillwater County | 1,100 | 14 | 2024-01 to 2026-12 |
| Hinsdale Hinsdale Water Department · Valley County | 250 | 29 | 2025-01 to 2027-12 |
| Hardin Yellowtail Dam GC System · Big Horn County | 125 | 11 | 2022-01 to 2024-12 |
Smaller Montana water systems with lead lines
These systems reported fewer than 500 lead and galvanized lines, so they don't have their own page yet. The 30 with the most lines are shown, out of 85. If you're served by one, ask the utility about its replacement plan and use the state rule above.
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livingston City of Livingston · Park County | 7 | 163 | 3,237 |
| Billings City of Billings · Yellowstone County | 0 | 150 | 13 |
| Helena City of East Helena · Lewis And Clark County | 1 | 140 | 0 |
| Havre City of Havre · Hill County | 140 | 0 | 2 |
| Eureka Town of Eureka · Lincoln County | 0 | 114 | 526 |
| Cascade Town of Cascade · Cascade County | 0 | 112 | 1 |
| Sheridan Town of Sheridan · Madison County | 0 | 94 | 94 |
| Harlowton City of Harlowton · Wheatland County | 38 | 44 | 22 |
| Hamilton City of Hamilton · Ravalli County | 2 | 67 | 2,444 |
| Three Forks City of Three Forks · Gallatin County | 3 | 63 | 94 |
| Kalispell Kalispell Public Works · Flathead County | 40 | 14 | 572 |
| Red Lodge Red Lodge Water Dept · Carbon County | 0 | 42 | 1,085 |
| Lewistown City of Lewistown · Fergus County | 0 | 37 | 2,264 |
| White Sulphur Springs City of White Sulphur Springs · Meagher County | 0 | 36 | 596 |
| Bozeman Gallatin Village Mob HM Park · Gallatin County | 0 | 35 | 0 |
| Malta City of Malta · Phillips County | 1 | 32 | 551 |
| Columbus Town of Columbus · Stillwater County | 1 | 30 | 1,012 |
| Fort Benton City of Fort Benton · Chouteau County | 0 | 29 | 553 |
| Hardin City of Hardin · Big Horn County | 3 | 26 | 865 |
| Glasgow City of Glasgow · Valley County | 11 | 17 | 1,357 |
| Great Falls Pleasant Park Community INC · Cascade County | 0 | 28 | 16 |
| Denton Town of Denton · Fergus County | 4 | 23 | 3 |
| Lakeside Pleasant Grove Manufactured Home Sites · Flathead County | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| Wolf Point City of Wolf Point | 3 | 23 | 1 |
| Belgrade City of Belgrade · Gallatin County | 0 | 25 | 2,094 |
| Belt Town of Belt · Cascade County | 0 | 25 | 97 |
| Plentywood Plentywood Water Department · Sheridan County | 3 | 18 | 916 |
| Fairfield Town of Fairfield · Teton County | 1 | 17 | 5 |
| Fairview Town of Fairview · Richland County | 0 | 16 | 279 |
| Sand Coulee Tracy Water Users Corp · Cascade County | 0 | 15 | 64 |
Common questions
Who pays to replace lead service lines in Montana?
This state has no law we found that decides who pays for the private side of a lead service line, so each utility sets its own policy. Under the federal rule, utilities must replace every lead line and galvanized line that needs it within ten years of November 1, 2027, but the rule does not make utilities pay for the owner's side. Federal infrastructure money passed through the state revolving fund can pay for it, so many utilities offer free or discounted replacement, especially for low-income owners.
Is lead service line replacement mandatory in Montana?
No state owner mandate found; the federal rule requires most utilities to replace all lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by 2037.
How many lead service lines are in Montana?
Water systems in Montana reported 482 lead service lines, 2,764 galvanized lines that need replacement and 60,132 lines of unknown material to EPA (Q3 2026), across 91 reporting systems.
Where can I get help paying in Montana?
Start with your water utility's program; the table on this page shows what we've confirmed. State money flows through: State Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (federal lead service line money). If your utility has no program, see our guide to paying for replacement.