Big Sky, MT: 1 Violation - Home Safety 66/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Big Sky: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Big Sky water quality is uneven - some service areas show clean compliance; others carry documented violations in MT EPA records.
How Big Sky Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Big Sky Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0048 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 27% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.21.
Big Sky's Water Providers
Consolidated water delivery characterizes Big Sky, 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.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Big Sky, Montana (population ~1,867), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 4,132 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Big Sky: C (66/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Big Sky water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0048 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59716 | C | 1 | 0 | Big Sky County Water and Sewer District 363 |
All ZIP Codes in Big Sky
- 59716 [C] - 1 violation
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Big Sky Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Big Sky's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Big Sky Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Lead exposure in tap water isn't just a function of what water utilities deliver - it's also shaped by the plumbing inside individual homes. Structures built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints, and homes built before 1970 face an additional risk from lead pipes themselves. Big Sky's median build year of 1993 suggests the housing stock is broadly weighted toward the safer post-1986 era, but the age distribution shown above makes clear that the pre-1986 share of the inventory still represents a meaningful fraction worth understanding for anyone in an older home.
Most homes in Big Sky were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Big Sky
In Big Sky, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity - the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Big Sky are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,900–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 193% above the Montana average.
Big Sky: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Aggregate sampling rests beneath the federal action threshold here, while only 27% of Big Sky housing predates the solder rule change.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Big Sky: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Big Sky contains 1 flood insurance claim. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $5,343. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$2,900</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Big Sky
- 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 Sky's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Big Sky, MT