Columbus, MT: 10 Violations — 59/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Columbus, MT reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Columbus Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Columbus Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 10 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 49% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.84 — above typical levels.
Columbus's Water Providers
With 3 utilities splitting service in Columbus, MT, water accountability is distributed across 5 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Columbus, Montana, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 4,267 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Columbus: C (59/100)
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
Columbus water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59019 | C | 10 | 0 | Country Haven Estates Whispering Pines |
All ZIP Codes in Columbus
- 59019 [C] — 10 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.
Columbus 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 Columbus's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Columbus Infrastructure Age
With 49% 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
Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, Columbus shows a median build year of 1983 — a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.
Most homes in Columbus 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 Columbus
Equity impact data for Columbus lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Columbus are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% above the Montana average.
Columbus: 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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 49% of Columbus stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Columbus: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
How does Columbus's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 11 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Columbus has a moderate flood history with 11 FEMA claims averaging $30,094 per payout. 100% 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>$3,000</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 Columbus
- 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 Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Columbus's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 49% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Columbus, MT