Butte, MT: 40 Violations — 60/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Butte shows moderate tap water quality for MT — some areas carry documented EPA violations while others meet standards without issues.
How Butte Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Butte, MT
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Butte.
Butte Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 40 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,440 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.65 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Butte
Water delivery in Butte, MT is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Butte, Montana, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 34,653 people.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Butte: C (60/100)
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
Butte water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 5 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 5 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 5 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 5 |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 6 | 5 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59701 | C | 8 | 0 | Butte Silverbow Water Department |
| 59702 | C | 8 | 0 | Butte Silverbow Water Department |
| 59703 | C | 8 | 0 | Butte Silverbow Water Department |
| 59707 | C | 8 | 0 | Butte Silverbow Water Department |
| 59750 | C | 8 | 0 | Butte Silverbow Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Butte
- 59701 [C] — 8 violations
- 59702 [C] — 8 violations
- 59703 [C] — 8 violations
- 59707 [C] — 8 violations
- 59750 [C] — 8 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.
CDC Health Data for Butte
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Butte
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Butte: Remediation Cost in Perspective
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Butte is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Butte are relatively low compared to home values. The $960–$1,860 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 65% above the Montana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Butte
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 Butte 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Butte
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Butte falls in moderate-exposure territory — 9 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 20% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Butte has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $916 per payout. 20% 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>$1,440</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.
What You Can Do in Butte
- 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 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Butte'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 Butte, MT