Columbia Falls, MT: 23 Violations - Home Safety 59/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Columbia Falls: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Columbia Falls, MT: a C, mid-scale.
How Columbia Falls Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Columbia Falls Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 23 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 43% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 12.11.
Who Supplies Your Water in Columbia Falls
Service in Columbia Falls, MT can differ by address: 5 water systems are tied to the area in federal records, and the 3 largest are listed with their violation records.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Columbia Falls, Montana, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 15,745 people. 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 Columbia Falls: C (59/100)
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
Columbia Falls water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0040 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
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endrin | Organic | 2 | 1 |
| BHC-gamma (Lindane) | Organic | 2 | 1 |
| Methoxychlor | Organic | 2 | 1 |
| Toxaphene | Organic | 2 | 1 |
| Dalapon | Organic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59912 | C | 23 | 0 | City of Columbia Falls |
All ZIP Codes in Columbia Falls
- 59912 [C] - 23 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Columbia Falls
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Columbia Falls Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Columbia Falls
With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Over the decades, Columbia Falls accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1980 can be read against 1986, when lead solder in plumbing became federally prohibited - a regulatory line, not a safety line, and individual homes on either side of it can have different plumbing.
Most homes in Columbia Falls were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Columbia Falls
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Columbia Falls
Historical NFIP data for Columbia Falls contains 22 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $8,812. 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.
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 Columbia Falls
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Endrin, listed in the water-quality records for Columbia Falls: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Columbia Falls, MT