Drinking Water Safety
Butte's public drinking water is safe. It is tested frequently and meets or exceeds all standards for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
This page explains where the water comes from, how it is treated, and what options exist if you have additional concerns.
Where does Butte's drinking water come from?
Butte's public drinking water comes from three primary sources:
- the Big Hole River
- Moulton Reservoir
- Basin Creek Reservoir
Water from these sources is treated at modern water treatment facilities before being delivered to homes and businesses.
These sources are not the Berkeley Pit and not Silver Bow Creek.
How is the water treated and tested?
Before it reaches your tap, public drinking water is:
- filtered
- treated
- disinfected
- tested regularly
Water quality testing is conducted to ensure compliance with state and federal drinking water standards. These standards are designed to protect public health for daily, long-term use.
Testing looks for:
- metals
- bacteria
- chemical contaminants
- other indicators of water quality
How often is drinking water tested?
Public drinking water systems are tested on a regular schedule set by regulatory standards.
Testing occurs:
- routinely throughout the year
- at multiple points in the system
- whenever conditions change or concerns arise
If a problem were detected, action would be required immediately.
Public water versus private wells
If your home is connected to the public water system, your water is treated and tested as described above.
If you use a private well, different considerations apply:
- private wells are not part of the public testing system
- owners are responsible for testing and maintenance
- additional testing may be recommended
If you are unsure whether your home uses public water or a private well, help is available.
Common questions
No. The Berkeley Pit is not a source of drinking water.
Cleanup activities are designed to protect water quality. Monitoring is used to ensure water remains safe.
Yes. Public drinking water meets standards for all household uses.
What should I do if I have concerns?
If you have questions or concerns about your drinking water:
- review the information provided here
- contact local water providers for additional detail
- request testing if you use a private well
You do not need technical expertise to ask questions.
How drinking water fits into the bigger picture
Protecting drinking water is a central goal of the Superfund cleanup.
Water treatment, groundwater management, and long-term monitoring all work together to ensure that water used by residents remains safe — now and in the future.