Dawson County, Montana
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 47/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Dawson County, EPA compliance records for 7 ZIP codes fall well below average — documented health-based violations affect multiple areas, and the county's sustained low grade points to structural rather than temporary shortfalls in the underlying water systems.
How Dawson County Compares
How Dawson County Compares
Dawson County scores 8 points below the Montana state average (55/100) and 21 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Dawson County, Montana
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14 (asthma 10.9%, diabetes 12%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,441, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.453% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
84.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,441
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
5,216 housing units in Dawson County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Dawson County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Dawson County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Dawson County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Dawson County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GLENDIVE CITY OF | 4,873 | 5 |
| 2 | Forest Park Water Rsid 24 | 1,200 | 5 |
| 3 | Highland Park Utilities Assn | 500 | 5 |
| 4 | Casitas Del Rio | 216 | 5 |
| 5 | Casitas Del Mesa Mhp | 180 | 5 |
6 total water systems serve Dawson County.
All ZIP Codes in Dawson County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Dawson County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59330 | Glendive | 66 | C | 5 | $188K |
| 2 | 59259 | Richey | 64 | C | 4 | $121K |
| 3 | 59274 | Vida | 40 | D | 0 | $113K |
| 4 | 59315 | Bloomfield | 40 | D | 0 | $191K |
| 5 | 59326 | Fallon | 40 | D | 0 | $224K |
| 6 | 59339 | Lindsay | 40 | D | 0 | $238K |
| 7 | 59349 | Terry | 40 | D | 0 | $150K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Dawson County
Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 84.4% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Dawson County, Montana
Overview
Dawson County in Montana covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (47/100).
2 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← Back to Montana water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Dawson County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
84.4% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.