Liberty County, Montana
3 ZIP codes · Avg score 52/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
Liberty County's water safety record falls below average — health-based violations are on file in a notable share of the county's 3 ZIP codes, and several systems have recorded exceedances that trigger federal notification requirements.
How Liberty County Compares
How Liberty County Compares
Liberty County scores 3 points below the Montana state average (55/100) and 16 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.3 (asthma 11.9%, diabetes 13.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $913, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.517% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
92% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2023)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Liberty County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 1 violation. Past 5 years: 2 total (2 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
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: $913
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
635 housing units in Liberty 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 Liberty County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Liberty 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 Liberty 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 Liberty County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHESTER TOWN OF | 870 | 15 |
| 2 | Sage Creek Company Water District | 225 | 15 |
| 3 | Riverview Colony | 130 | 15 |
| 4 | Sage Creek Colony | 130 | 15 |
| 5 | Eagle Creek Colony | 125 | 15 |
6 total water systems serve Liberty County.
All ZIP Codes in Liberty County
3 ZIP codes tracked in Liberty County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59522 | Chester | 64 | C | 15 (3 health) | $133K |
| 2 | 59545 | Whitlash | 53 | D | 4 | $117K |
| 3 | 59461 | Lothair | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Liberty County
Retailer arrangements don't shape what appears here — the selection logic is independent, filtered against EPA detections and the federal hazard data on file for this county.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 92% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Overview
Liberty County in Montana covers 3 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (52/100).
2 of 3 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations have been documented.
← 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
Liberty 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
92% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.