Frenchtown, MT: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Frenchtown: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Although much of Frenchtown meets baseline drinking water standards, some MT-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look - particularly for older housing stock.
How Frenchtown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Frenchtown Water
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 29% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.46.
Who Supplies Your Water in Frenchtown
Water service in Frenchtown, MT is organized around a single utility - one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Frenchtown, Montana (population ~2,449), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 68,200 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Frenchtown: C (67/100)
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
Frenchtown water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59834 | C | Missoula Water | 68,200 |
All ZIP Codes in Frenchtown
- 59834 [C]
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 Frenchtown
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 Frenchtown
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Housing age matters for water quality because lead solder was widely used in plumbing until the 1986 federal ban. Frenchtown's median build year of 1995 suggests a majority of homes were constructed under the newer standard - a meaningful factor when assessing household-level lead risk from tap water.
Most homes in Frenchtown 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 Frenchtown Homeowners
In Frenchtown, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands - the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Frenchtown are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% above the Montana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Frenchtown
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 flows from a specific faucet still requires a one-home draw, even where Frenchtown averages stay clean and the pre-rule housing share holds at 29%.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Frenchtown
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Frenchtown, MT