Red Lodge, MT: 3 Violations — 64/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Red Lodge, MT: mid-range safety grade, uneven compliance across service areas.
How Red Lodge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Red Lodge Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.88 — above typical levels.
Red Lodge's Water Providers
With 3 utilities splitting service in Red Lodge, MT, water accountability is distributed across 3 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Red Lodge, Montana, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 3,513 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Red Lodge: C (64/100)
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
Red Lodge water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59068 | C | 3 | 0 | Red Lodge Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Red Lodge
- 59068 [C] — 3 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
Updated daily.
Red Lodge Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Red Lodge's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Red Lodge Infrastructure Age
With 64% 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 older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Red Lodge's median build year of 1974 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Red Lodge 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Red Lodge
The household financial picture for Red Lodge homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Red Lodge are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,600–$5,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 40% above the Montana average.
Red Lodge: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Red Lodge have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 64% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Red Lodge: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Red Lodge shows 25 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Red Lodge has a moderate flood history with 25 FEMA claims averaging $60,115 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$3,700</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Red Lodge
- 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. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Red Lodge's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Red Lodge, MT