Plentywood, MT: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Plentywood tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with MT and federal standards.
How Plentywood Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Plentywood Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 84% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.94 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Plentywood
With one provider handling most of Plentywood's residential supply in MT, water service accountability is concentrated in a single utility among the 1 system on record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Plentywood, Montana, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,845 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Plentywood — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Plentywood: B (70/100)
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
Plentywood water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59254 | B | Plentywood Water Department | 1,700 |
All ZIP Codes in Plentywood
- 59254 [B]
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.
CDC Health Data for Plentywood
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
How Old Is Plentywood's Housing Stock?
With 84% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Plentywood sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1967 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Plentywood 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.
Plentywood: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Homeowners in Plentywood are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Plentywood. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 50% below the Montana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Plentywood
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 84% of Plentywood stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Plentywood
NFIP data for Plentywood shows a modest claim record and limited flood zone footprint — a combination that places flood exposure well below the threshold where water quality becomes an active planning concern. The connection between flooding and water safety is real during major events anywhere, but it stays in the background here rather than rising to an active local risk factor.
Plentywood has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Plentywood, MT