Peerless, MT: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Peerless shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within MT — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Peerless Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Peerless Water
- Homes built before 1986: 100% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.57 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Peerless
Most residential addresses in Peerless, MT are served by a single water utility — the dominant system among the 1 provider tracked in federal data.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Peerless, Montana (population ~82), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,026 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Peerless — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Peerless: D (40/100)
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
Peerless water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Peerless
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59253 | D | SCOBEY CITY OF | 1,026 |
All ZIP Codes in Peerless
- 59253 [D]
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.
Health Outcomes in Peerless
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 Peerless
With 100% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Peerless is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1944 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Peerless were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Peerless Homeowners
Placing remediation in the context of Peerless's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Peerless are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 23% below the Montana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Peerless
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 100% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Peerless.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Peerless
- 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. With 100% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Peerless, MT