Coffee Creek, MT: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Coffee Creek ranks below average for tap water safety in MT — health-based violations are documented across multiple service areas in recent EPA monitoring data.
How Coffee Creek Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Coffee Creek Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 100% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.63 — above typical levels.
Coffee Creek's Water Providers
Federal records list 1 water system serving Coffee Creek, MT. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Coffee Creek, Montana (population ~66), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 255 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Coffee Creek — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Coffee Creek: D (40/100)
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
Coffee Creek water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Coffee Creek
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59424 | D | DENTON TOWN OF | 255 |
All ZIP Codes in Coffee Creek
- 59424 [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.
Coffee Creek 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
Coffee Creek Infrastructure Age
With 100% 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 character of Coffee Creek's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1955 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Coffee Creek 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Coffee Creek
Because property values in Coffee Creek comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Coffee Creek are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 10% below the Montana average.
Coffee Creek: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Coffee Creek have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 100% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Coffee Creek
- 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 100% 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 Coffee Creek, MT