Richland County, Montana
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 48/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
Although conditions vary by area, Richland County's 5 ZIP codes collectively show below-average water safety — health-based violations are documented throughout the county, and the overall grade reflects a pattern rather than isolated incidents.
How Richland County Compares
How Richland County Compares
Richland County scores 7 points below the Montana state average (55/100) and 20 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Richland County, Montana
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 12.5 (asthma 10.7%, diabetes 9.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $874, driven primarily by ust_tanks
Infrastructure: 0.37% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk
57.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2026)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Richland County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 10 total (10 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: $874
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
5,860 housing units in Richland 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 Richland County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SIDNEY CITY OF | 5,000 | 18 |
| 2 | Dry Redwater Regional Water Authority | 365 | 18 |
| 3 | Richland Company Valley View Wua | 85 | 18 |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant Estates | 45 | 18 |
| 5 | Lambert Sewer and Water Assn | 150 | 10 |
6 total water systems serve Richland County.
All ZIP Codes in Richland County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Richland County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59221 | Fairview | 68 | C | 2 | $235K |
| 2 | 59243 | Lambert | 49 | D | 10 | $312K |
| 3 | 59270 | Sidney | 45 | D | 18 (9 health) | $261K |
| 4 | 59217 | Crane | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 5 | 59262 | Savage | 40 | D | 0 | $273K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Richland County
Designed to find the guide that fits the county, not the other way around — the system reads EPA detections, FEMA hazard layers, and CDC lead-exposure markers, then outputs the categories that resolve those specific risks for households here, with NSF-certified products surfaced when the matching contaminant appears in the local monitoring data.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 57.8% 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
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Richland County, Montana
Overview
Richland County in Montana covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (48/100).
3 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 9 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
Richland 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
57.8% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.