Libby, MT: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 57/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Libby: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Libby earns a C grade for MT; check the EPA record for the system that serves your address.
How Libby Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Libby Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 25 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 72% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 15.86.
Water Systems Serving Libby
Because water system records on this page are matched to Libby, MT through ZIP codes rather than street addresses, the single system in the list below reflects that matching, while federal data connect 1 to the area overall. Anyone unsure which utility supplies a home can check the water bill or contact the utility directly.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Libby, Montana, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 9,885 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. 4 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Libby: C (57/100)
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
Libby water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0020 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | Organic | 2 | 1 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Organic | 2 | 1 |
| Xylenes, Total | Organic | 2 | 1 |
| Dichloromethane | Organic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59923 | C | 25 | 4 | City of Libby |
All ZIP Codes in Libby
- 59923 [C] - 25 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.
CDC Health Data for Libby
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Libby
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Libby's Housing Stock?
With 72% 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
Renovation history matters as much as age: in Libby, with a median build year of 1976, some older homes have been replumbed and some have not.
Over half of homes in Libby were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Libby: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Of the three cost-context tiers - low, moderate and elevated - Libby is in the low one.
Estimated remediation costs in Libby can be compared with local home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 18% below the Montana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Libby
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 Flood-Claim Evidence for Libby
Historical NFIP data for Libby contains 33 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $11,421. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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. The $600 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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 Libby
- 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 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Libby: 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 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Libby, MT