Essex, MT: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 0 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Essex Water
- Homes built before 1986: 41% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.11 - above typical levels.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Essex, Montana, covering 0 community water system serving approximately 168 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 0 of 1 ZIP codes.
EPA water-system violation data is unavailable in the dataset used for this page for the tracked ZIP codes in Essex.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Essex
- Lead action-level status: not available
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
All ZIP Codes in Essex
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 Essex
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Essex
With 41% 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
Plumbing risk in residential housing tracks directly to construction era: pre-1986 homes may have lead-soldered copper joints; pre-1970 homes may have lead pipes outright. Essex's median build year of 1999 places the city in a moderate risk zone where neither era dominates the housing inventory. Understanding which side of the 1986 threshold a specific property falls on - and whether it predates 1970 - is the most actionable starting point for a homeowner trying to assess their own tap water exposure.
Most homes in Essex 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Essex Homeowners
Equity impact data for Essex lands in the favorable tier - remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Essex are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 22% above the Montana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Essex
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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted - but 41% of the Essex inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Essex, MT