Billings, MT: 70 Health Violations — 72/100 (2026)
14 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water monitoring in Billings shows a safety record well above the MT median — health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.
How Billings Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Billings, MT
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Billings score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Billings Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 476 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,229 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.29 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Billings
Billings, MT is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 5 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 14 ZIP codes in Billings, Montana, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 145,092 people.
14 of 14 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 70 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Billings: B (72/100)
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
Billings water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 14 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 210 | 14 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 150 | 14 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 90 | 14 |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 45 | 14 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 15 | 14 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59101 | C | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
| 59102 | B | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
| 59103 | B | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
| 59104 | B | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
| 59105 | B | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
| 59106 | B | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
| 59107 | B | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
| 59108 | B | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
| 59111 | B | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
| 59112 | B | 34 | 5 | City of Billings |
All ZIP Codes in Billings
- 59101 [C] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59102 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59103 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59104 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59105 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59106 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59107 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59108 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59111 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59112 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59114 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59115 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59116 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 59117 [B] — 34 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 Billings
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 Billings Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Billings Homeowners
Given current Billings valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Billings are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,386–$3,643 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 6% above the Montana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Billings
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.
Lead risk in Billings appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Billings
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Billings falls in moderate-exposure territory — 174 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 29% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Billings has a moderate flood history with 174 FEMA claims averaging $4,737 per payout. 29% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,229</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Billings, MT