Toole County, Montana
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Toole County's 8 ZIP codes, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern — health-based violations are documented in several areas, and independent testing is a reasonable step for concerned households.
How Toole County Compares
How Toole County Compares
Toole County scores 4 points below the Montana state average (55/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Toole County, Montana
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.9 (asthma 11%, diabetes 11.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,028, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.452% avg pipe failure probability, 75% of ZIPs at high risk
76.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Toole County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 5 total (5 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: $1,028
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
2,378 housing units in Toole 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 Toole County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Toole 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 Toole 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 Toole County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oilmont County Water District | 300 | 27 |
| 2 | Big Rose Colony | 75 | 27 |
| 3 | City of Shelby | 3,970 | 19 |
| 4 | Ncmrwa North Shelby | 300 | 19 |
| 5 | Devon Water Inc. | 75 | 19 |
15 total water systems serve Toole County.
All ZIP Codes in Toole County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Toole County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59435 | Ethridge | 65 | C | 2 | — |
| 2 | 59474 | Shelby | 64 | C | 19 (2 health) | $204K |
| 3 | 59482 | Sunburst | 64 | C | 8 (2 health) | $159K |
| 4 | 59444 | Galata | 54 | D | 2 | $174K |
| 5 | 59456 | Ledger | 52 | D | 4 | — |
| 6 | 59454 | Kevin | 43 | D | 0 | — |
| 7 | 59466 | Oilmont | 40 | D | 0 | $86K |
| 8 | 59484 | Sweet Grass | 28 | F | 8 (1 health) | $134K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Toole 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 — 76.6% 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 Toole County, Montana
Overview
Toole County in Montana covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).
6 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 5 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
Toole 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
76.6% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.