EPA SDWIS City OverviewWater Testing & Safety Guide

Chester, MT Water Quality Testing & Safety Report

EPA compliance records, water testing guidelines, and hardness metrics for all 1 ZIP code in Chester, Montana

Data aggregated & verified by Sahajul Haque from federal SDWIS & ECHO filings

Quick EPA Verified Summary

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Chester, MT?

Tap water in Chester, MT receives an EPA Safety Grade of C (64/100) due to 3 health-based violation(s) and elevated lead risk. While treated by local utilities, residents are advised to test tap water and use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter for drinking and cooking.

Average Score

64/100

Health Violations

Water Hardness

Moderately Hard

105 mg/L (6.1 GPG)

High Lead Risk

of 1 ZIP codes

About Tap Water in Chester, MT

Drinking water in Chester, MT receives an average water quality grade of C (score: 64/100) across its 1 ZIP code. Safe Drinking Water Act compliance monitoring is managed by local utilities including Chester Town of.

⚠ Lead Risk Alert: Some ZIP codes in Chester are rated High or Very High for lead exposure risk based on EPA data. Search your specific ZIP code for a detailed lead level report.

Water Quality Testing in Chester, MT

Tap Water & Well Water Testing Recommendations

Testing your drinking water in Chester confirms whether contaminants like lead, nitrates, bacteria, and PFAS are entering your home. While municipal utilities test water before distribution, private plumbing and private well systems require homeowner testing.

Tap Water Testing Checklist

1.Identify your plumbing age: Homes built before 1986 in Chester may have lead solder or lead service lines.
2.Request your utility's latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for annual municipal baseline data.
3.Use an EPA-certified laboratory or state-certified test kit for precision lead and PFAS detection (standard DIY strips cannot reliably measure trace heavy metals).
4.Collect a "first draw" sample: Test water that has sat motionless in pipes for at least 6 hours to check for plumbing corrosion.

Private Well Water Testing Checklist

•Private wells in MT are not monitored by the EPA or Montana Department of Environmental Quality — testing is 100% the homeowner's responsibility.
•Annual Test: Screen for Total Coliform Bacteria, E. coli, Nitrates/Nitrites, and pH every spring.
•Comprehensive Test (Every 3-5 Years): Test for heavy metals (Lead, Arsenic, Uranium), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Hardness.
•Post-Disruption Testing: Immediately test well water following heavy floods, local construction, agricultural runoff, or sudden taste/odor changes.

Critical Water Testing Parameters for Chester Residents

Parameter	Health Reason	EPA Limit / Standard
Lead (Pb)	Plumbing corrosion; dangerous neurotoxin for children	15 ppb (Action Level) / 0 ppb Goal
Total Coliform & E. Coli	Bacterial contamination from sewage or surface runoff	0 mg/L (Zero Tolerance)
Nitrates / Nitrites	Fertilizer and septic tank seepage; causes blue baby syndrome	10 mg/L (MCL)
Water Hardness (Ca & Mg)	Affects appliance lifespan, scale buildup, and skin hydration	Moderate (~100 mg/L)
PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")	Industrial non-stick chemicals linked to metabolic and immune issues	4.0 ppt (EPA 2024 Rule)

State Regulatory Oversight: Environmental standards and certified water lab registries in MT are maintained by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

Health-Based Contaminant Violations in Chester

EPA records indicate that the following contaminants have exceeded Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) in Chester water systems over the past 5 years.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)

Note: The presence of a past violation does not necessarily mean current water is unsafe. Utilities are required to take corrective action. Review your Consumer Confidence Report for the latest status.

Water Quality by ZIP Code — Chester, MT

Showing 1 of 1 monitored ZIP code in Chester

59522

Chester, MT

Score: 64/1003 violations

All Chester, MT ZIP Code Reports (1 Total)

59522

Nearby Cities Water Quality & Testing in Montana

Compare tap water safety, EPA test scores, and water hardness across neighboring cities in Montana:

Absarokee, MT1 ZIP code

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Acton, MT1 ZIP code

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Alberton, MT1 ZIP code

Anaconda, MT1 ZIP code

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Angela, MT1 ZIP code

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Antelope, MT1 ZIP code

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Frequently Asked Questions — Chester Water Quality & Testing

Is tap water safe to drink in Chester, MT?+

Tap water in Chester has a grade of C, indicating compliance concerns in recent years. Families with young children or pregnant women should consider using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter for drinking and cooking.

How do I test water quality in Chester, MT?+

To test water quality in Chester, you can order an EPA-compliant drinking water test kit or submit samples to a state-certified environmental testing laboratory in MT. Testing is especially recommended for homes built before 1986 (to check for lead in plumbing) and for properties with private well systems.

Should I test private well water in Chester?+

Yes. Unlike municipal tap water, private wells in Chester, MT are not monitored or regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners are responsible for testing their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.

How hard is the tap water in Chester?+

Tap water in Chester is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated average hardness of 105 mg/L (6.1 GPG). A water softener is generally optional.

What is the water quality score for Chester?+

The average water quality score across 1 ZIP code in Chester, MT is 64/100. Scores are derived from EPA violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Individual ZIP codes may vary — search your specific ZIP above for a personalized report.

Does Chester have lead in its tap water?+

1 out of 1 ZIP codes in Chester are rated High or Very High for lead exposure risk. Older homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or plumbing fixtures. Residents should run their tap for 30 seconds before use and consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead filter.

Where does Chester's tap water come from?+

Tap water in Chester, MT primarily comes from surface water. Surface water systems treat water from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs using filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection before it reaches your tap.

Looking for water quality reports in other cities in Montana?

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