Big Sandy, MT: 2 Violations — 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Big Sandy, MT reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Big Sandy Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Big Sandy Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 82% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.24 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Big Sandy
Consolidated water delivery characterizes Big Sandy, MT: among 1 system in federal records, one utility holds the dominant service position — carrying the rate-setting authority, the infrastructure obligations, and the EPA reporting burden for most residential addresses.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Big Sandy, Montana, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,211 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Big Sandy: C (65/100)
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
Big Sandy water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59520 | C | 2 | 0 | Big Sandy Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Big Sandy
- 59520 [C] — 2 violations
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 Big Sandy
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
Top Contaminants in Big Sandy Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Big Sandy
With 82% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Big Sandy, where the median build year is 1966, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Big Sandy 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 Big Sandy Homeowners
Setting Big Sandy remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Big Sandy are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 58% below the Montana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Big Sandy
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 82% of Big Sandy stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Big Sandy
- 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. Filters rated for Arsenic can reduce the most common contaminant found in Big Sandy's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 82% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Big Sandy, MT