Missoula Water

Welcome!

Welcome to Missoula Water! We provide drinking water, irrigation, and fire protection to the citizens of the Missoula community.

Just below Missoula is one of the finest sources of groundwater in America, the Missoula Valley Aquifer. It’s an incredible source of clean, fresh water, but in some places it’s no deeper than 40 feet below the surface, making it very susceptible to contamination. Let’s all work together to keep our water clean and protect our most valuable resource.

Water Emergency

Water Line Loan Program

Water Service Line Warranty Program

Service Line Warranties of America Contact Information

FAQs

Water Service Billing—Metered Service vs. Flat Rate Service

There are currently two types of billing methods for water service:  metered or flat rate, and both are billed monthly. All new structures are required to have meters, so most homes in Missoula have metered service.

  • Metered Service: Customers are billed according to a fixed rate based on meter size in addition to your water usage for the month. Many of our customers prefer metered usage as their conservation efforts are reflected by a savings on their bill.
  • Flat Rate Service: Customers are billed a flat fee based on the number of rooms, baths, and toilets in the home, not on actual consumption. There is also a separate flat rate sprinkling charge based on the square footage of the yard. No new customers will be signed up for flat rate service (see below). 

Requirement to Convert to Metered Service Upon Sale

In accordance with Missoula Municipal Code Section 13.30.580, properties with flat rate service are required to install a water meter and convert to metered service before that property can be sold, transferred, or conveyed to another party.

Key facts about installing a water meter:

  1. The City will install a water meter at no cost to the homeowner, except where plumbing modifications are required.
  2. A water meter has to be installed in an accessible location and water meters cannot be installed in a crawl space. 
  3. Most customers save money when they convert from flat rate service to metered service.
  4. In some circumstances (crawl spaces, etc.), the water meter will have to be installed in a meter pit outside the house. 
  5. Missoula Water personnel will inspect the plumbing to determine whether a meter can be installed at no cost to the homeowner. 
  6. Having Missoula Water personnel inspect your plumbing will provide an opportunity to verify that a water service line is not made of lead, which can make water unsafe to drink.

Flat rate customers will receive a letter from Missoula Water informing them of this requirement. In addition, a notice will be filed at the Missoula County Clerk and Recorder's Office showing that this property must have a meter installed and be converted to metered water service before the property can be sold, transferred, or conveyed to another party. The notice creates a public record that can be used by real estate agencies, title companies, and other property management organizations to verify whether a property is connected or not. The filing of this notice does not require flat rate customers to install a water meter immediately, but it will have to be done before the property can be sold or transferred.

If you would like Missoula Water inspect your plumbing to determine if a meter can be installed and to verify that you don’t have a lead service line, please contact Missoula Water dispatch at 406-552-6700 or via email at waterdispatch@ci.missoula.mt.us.