Ravalli County, Montana — public water systems

How does Ravalli County compare with other Montana counties?

Ravalli County has the 5th-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 30,805 people served in total, the 8th-largest county figure in the state and 2.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 237 people, about half of 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 Ravalli County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Ravalli County's active systems draw on groundwater (125, 96%), purchased groundwater (4, 3.1%) and surface water (1, 0.8%). Overall, 99% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 0.8% 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, City of Hamilton, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Ravalli County?

Ravalli County's active systems break down as 24 community systems (18%), 21 non-transient non-community systems (16%) and 85 transient non-community systems (65%). 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 (86%), local government (6.9%), federal government (4.6%) and state government (1.5%).