What was found in Bigfork's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 220 µg/L 2.2% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: BIGFORK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER · 6,100 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 3894 µg/L — WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 170 µg/L 1.7% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: BIGFORK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER · 6,100 people · 2012
Highest in the city: 3790 µg/L — WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2018 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 70 µg/L 1.8% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: BIGFORK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER · 6,100 people · 2012
Highest in the city: 1825 µg/L — WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2018 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 320 µg/L 16% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: BIGFORK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER · 6,100 people · 2012
Highest in the city: 706 µg/L — WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2018 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 100.2 µg/L 7.7% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: BIGFORK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER · 6,100 people · 2017
Highest in the city: 363 µg/L — WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 60 µg/L 6% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Highest in the city: WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2018 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 8.3 µg/L 55% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L Main supplier: BIGFORK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER · 6,100 people · 2017
Highest in the city: 14.9 µg/L — WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 12.1 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BIGFORK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER · 6,100 people · 2025 | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 6.3 µg/L 105% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 6 µg/L Highest in the city: KOOTENAI WOODS SUBDIVISION · 53 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 4 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L Highest in the city: WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2016 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 2.3 pCi/L 15% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L Highest in the city: WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2016 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 2 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Highest in the city: WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2018 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0010 mg/L 6.7% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: BIGFORK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER · 6,100 people · 2023
Highest in the city: 0.0040 mg/L — WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT · 685 people · 2025 | 3/3 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Bigfork
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| BIGFORK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER | 6,100 |
| WOODS BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT | 685 |
| KOOTENAI WOODS SUBDIVISION | 53 |
Frequently asked questions about Bigfork tap water
Is Bigfork tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 13 contaminants in the water serving Bigfork. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Bigfork?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Bigfork, Montana to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Bigfork's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Bigfork include Nitrate-Nitrite, Nitrate, Fluoride, Barium, Copper. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.