Missoula County, Montana — public water systems

How does Missoula County compare with other Montana counties?

Missoula County has the 2nd-most active public water systems among the 76 counties listed for active Montana systems in EPA records; among the 55 with 3 or more systems, the median has 16. Its systems report 140,505 people served in total, the 3rd-largest county figure in the state and 12% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 576 people, about 18% above the Montana average of 489. Population figures are what each system reports; people served by more than one system, such as a wholesaler and the town that buys from it, are counted by each.

Where does Missoula County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Missoula County's active systems draw on groundwater (225, 92%), purchased groundwater (15, 6.1%) and surface water (4, 1.6%). Overall, 98% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 1.6% on surface water, compared with 89% and 11% across Montana. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Missoula Water, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Missoula County?

Missoula County's active systems break down as 85 community systems (35%), 49 non-transient non-community systems (20%) and 110 transient non-community systems (45%). A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. A non-transient non-community water system regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for more than six months a year, but not where they live. Schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals with their own supply are typical examples. A transient non-community water system serves places where people do not stay long, such as gas stations and campgrounds, and regularly serves at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days a year. EPA lists their owner types as private (82%), state government (7.4%), local government (6.6%) and federal government (3.7%).