Water Quality: Libby, MT
8 water systems • 5,533 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Libby is served by 8 public water systems with a combined service population of 5,533 people, and has 341 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 19 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Libby's violation count is 226% above the national average for Montana. Contaminants associated with violations include Bromate, Chlorine Dioxide, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Gross Alpha.
Contaminants Found
Probable human carcinogen that increases the risk of kidney and thyroid cancers.
Common source: Ozonation of bromide-containing water; used as flour improver
EPA limit: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
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)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Water Systems Serving Libby
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIBBY CITY OF | MT0000274 | Surface Water | 4,892 | 60 |
| PINEWOOD VILLAGE | MT0000275 | Groundwater | 160 | 10 |
| EMKAYAN VILLAGE CO WATER AND SEWER DIST | MT0000540 | Groundwater | 160 | 11 |
| MONTANA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE | MT0004270 | Groundwater | 105 | 9 |
| HIGH COUNTRY PARK | MT0001850 | Groundwater | 76 | 12 |
| RIVERS EDGE MOBILE PARK LIBBY | MT0000553 | Groundwater | 60 | 206 |
| POSTS TRAILER COURT | MT0000554 | Groundwater | 45 | 24 |
| JOHNSONS MOBILE HOME PARK | MT0000529 | Groundwater | 35 | 9 |
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.