Rosebud County, Montana
10 ZIP codes · Avg score 47/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Rosebud County's water safety record falls below average — health-based violations are on file in a notable share of the county's 10 ZIP codes, and several systems have recorded exceedances that trigger federal notification requirements.
How Rosebud County Compares
How Rosebud County Compares
Rosebud 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: Rosebud County, Montana
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15 (asthma 12.6%, diabetes 13.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $913, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.382% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk
65.2% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↓ Improving trendEPA violation counts by year across Rosebud County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 22 violations. Past 5 years: 84 total (84 health-based). Health-based violations are declining versus the prior 2-year window.
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
4,516 housing units in Rosebud 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 Rosebud County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Rosebud 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 Rosebud County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 4 systems in Rosebud County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Labre Indian School | 650 | 62 |
| 2 | Ashland Water and Sewer District | 400 | 62 |
| 3 | COLSTRIP CITY OF | 2,350 | 5 |
| 4 | City of Forsyth | 2,260 | 0 |
All ZIP Codes in Rosebud County
10 ZIP codes tracked in Rosebud County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59327 | Forsyth | 70 | B | 0 | $210K |
| 2 | 59323 | Colstrip | 65 | C | 5 (2 health) | $194K |
| 3 | 59012 | Birney | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 4 | 59347 | Rosebud | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 5 | 59016 | Busby | 40 | D | 0 | $117K |
| 6 | 59043 | Lame Deer | 40 | D | 0 | $115K |
| 7 | 59062 | Otter | 40 | D | 0 | $139K |
| 8 | 59351 | Volborg | 40 | D | 0 | $113K |
| 9 | 59003 | Ashland | 33 | F | 31 (14 health) | $116K |
| 10 | 59004 | Ashland | 33 | F | 31 (14 health) | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Rosebud County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 65.2% 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
- Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke — Wildfire is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rosebud County, Montana
Overview
Rosebud County in Montana covers 10 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (47/100).
3 of 10 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 30 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
Rosebud 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
65.2% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.