Powell County, Montana
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 45/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Powell County's 4 ZIP codes show a persistent below-average water quality pattern — documented violations span multiple areas, have appeared consistently across recent reporting periods, and the compliance shortfalls are spread across the county rather than isolated to a single geographic pocket or utility district, suggesting a broader structural issue rather than a localized anomaly.
How Powell County Compares
How Powell County Compares
Powell County scores 10 points below the Montana state average (55/100) and 23 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.6 (asthma 10.4%, diabetes 11.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,080, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.38% avg pipe failure probability, 25% of ZIPs at high risk
65.5% 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: $1,080
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
2,361 housing units in Powell 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 Powell County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Powell 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 Powell County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
All ZIP Codes in Powell County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Powell County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59722 | Deer Lodge | 58 | C | 8 | $227K |
| 2 | 59713 | Avon | 40 | D | 0 | $450K |
| 3 | 59731 | Garrison | 40 | D | 0 | $350K |
| 4 | 59733 | Gold Creek | 40 | D | 0 | $305K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Powell County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 65.5% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Overview
Powell County in Montana covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (45/100).
1 of 4 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
Powell 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
65.5% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.