Since 2005, the MSU Extension Well Educated program has provided water quality testing assistance to private well owners across Montana. Data from the program provides insights about what parameters (arsenic, nitrate, etc.) well owners may find in their groundwater in different parts of the state. 

The map below has guidance on what to test for, based on location. You can test your water by contacting a certified lab (click here for certified lab list), or by visiting a county partner in the Well Educated Program (click here for Well Educated partner list). For a list of Well Educated testing packages and a parameter glossary, click here. For information about health risks assocaited with differnet parameters, see our results interpretation page here. 

Interactive Map

Click on your county in the to map below to view testing recommendations and parameters of concern in your area. The following three videos provide guidance on using this map.

1. Click here for a quick 3 minute video overviewing how to use the map

2. Click here for a 3 minute video on using the map to see past Well Educated program results for guidance on what to test for by county

3. Click here for a 4 minute video on testing guidance for sensitive groups by county and watershed

Statewide Parameters of Concern

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level

All Parameters with Exceedances MCL Units
Arsenic 0.01 mg/L
Fluoride 4 mg/L
Nitrogen, Nitrate+Nitrite as N 10 mg/L
Selenium 0.05 mg/L
Uranium 0.03 mg/L
Lead* 0.015 mg/L
Copper* 1.3 mg/L
*Lead and copper typically come from plumbing fixtures rather than groundwater, however, corrosive groundwater can exacerbate the issue.

More information on individual parameters is available on our factsheet website (click here). 

Click here for a scientific paper on human health risk from Montana groundwater.