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Why Fairfield, Montana, Is Running Out of Water
Officials say the town loses about half its pumped water as leaking pipes and dry wells threaten summer supply for residents and farmers.
- On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Fairfield faced a severe water shortage as aging infrastructure faltered, with three of the town's eight wells nonoperational and officials warning capacity could drop to 250 gallons per minute.
- Nearly two-thirds of the town's pipes were installed in 1946, prompting the Fairfield Town Council to allocate funds for plumbing upgrades, increased water rates, and limited non-essential water use such as lawn watering.
- The surrounding Sun River Project, which supports roughly 550 farmers and ranchers across 93,000 acres, faces a parallel shortage; due to dismal snowpack, producers expect to receive 25% less water than typical.
- Longtime local Christi Hardin said she will not plant crops due to restrictions, while Ken Naylor bemoaned another summer away from his garden as residents adjust to the supply limits.
- Greenfields Irrigation District Manager Erling Juel warns that replacing failing infrastructure—some 80 to 110 years old—will take decades and millions of dollars, as he holds back water to brace for potential shortages.
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11 Articles
11 Articles
Bozeman Daily Chronicle+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
'This year is worse': Why a Montana city is running out of water
A combination of failing, decades-old infrastructure and a worsening regional drought is straining the water supply of local farmers and residents.
·Cherokee County, United States
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution70% Center
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources are Center
70% Center
L 30%
C 70%
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