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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 59821 Water Quality & Testing Report

Arlee, MT · Lake County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 59821 (Arlee, MT)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 59821 (Arlee, MT) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (40/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 59821

Tap water in ZIP code 59821 (Arlee, MT) is distributed by EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER (EPA ID: MT0000517), serving approximately 1,350 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 40/100.

Water System

EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER

EPA ID: MT0000517

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

1,350 residents

County

Lake County County, Montana

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Lead Levels in ZIP 59821

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 59821. Contact EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 59821 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 45% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

45%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard13.7 GPG · 234 mg/L

Water in ZIP 59821 is Very Hard (234 mg/L / 13.7 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

13.7 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

234 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER · PWSID: MT0000517

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)
0
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Unknown
⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 59821 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.3%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 59821

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 59821 served by EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in MT for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 59821 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 59821 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 59821?+
Tap water in 59821 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 59821 (Arlee, MT)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 59821, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in MT. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Montana Department of Environmental Quality for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 59821?+
Tap water in 59821 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 234 mg/L (13.7 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 59821?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 59821 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 59821 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 59821. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 59821?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 59821. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 59821?+
Tap water in ZIP code 59821 is provided by EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER (EPA ID: MT0000517), serving approximately 1,350 residents.
What water filter should I use in 59821?+
Based on water metrics for 59821, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 59821 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by EL MAR ESTATES MSLA CO WATER. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →