Ballantine, MT Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
State safety rankings put Ballantine, MT near the lower tier — below-average compliance on record.
How Ballantine Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Ballantine Water
- Homes built before 1986: 55% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.29 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Ballantine
Supply infrastructure in Ballantine, MT runs through a single dominant provider — the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ballantine, Montana, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,218 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ballantine — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ballantine: D (53/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Ballantine water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Ballantine
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59006 | D | PRYOR CREEK WATER ASSN | 475 |
All ZIP Codes in Ballantine
- 59006 [D]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Ballantine
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Ballantine
With 55% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The median home in Ballantine was built in 1988 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Ballantine were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Ballantine Homeowners
Because property values in Ballantine comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Ballantine are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% below the Montana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Ballantine
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 55% of Ballantine homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Ballantine
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 55% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ballantine, MT