Water Quality: Chester, MT
6 water systems • 1,502 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Chester is served by 6 public water systems with a combined service population of 1,502 people, and has 112 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 24 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Chester's violation count is 7% above the national average for Montana. Contaminants associated with violations include Fecal Coliform, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants Found
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Chester
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHESTER TOWN OF | MT0000173 | Surface Water | 870 | 8 |
| SAGE CREEK CO WATER DISTRICT | MT0003150 | Groundwater | 225 | 19 |
| RIVERVIEW COLONY | MT0001777 | Surface Water | 130 | 25 |
| SAGE CREEK COLONY | MT0001779 | Groundwater | 130 | 3 |
| HI-LINE COLONY | MT0005185 | Groundwater | 92 | 51 |
| SOUTH CHESTER WATER DIST | MT0000007 | Surface Water | 55 | 6 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Montana
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.