Health Violations Found MT 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

City of Boulder

EPA ID: MT0000158 · 1,400 people served · 1 ZIP code

EPA records: City of Boulder, 2 past violations, all resolved, 1,400 served.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

D · 54
Avg Safety Score
1,400
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged
$261K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Boulder Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$62,770
Median Household Income
2,535
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
61%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Boulder serves a community with a median household income of $62,770 and an estimated 2,535 residents across its service area. Approximately 61% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

City of Boulder's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Jefferson County, Montana rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

54 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
16 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 77% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Boulder compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

E. coli at 1 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Montana

Ennis Town of
1,400 people
D 1 violation
Philipsburg Town of
1,360 people
D 15 violations
D 0 violations
City of Fort Benton
1,500 people
0 violations
City of Chinook
1,300 people
D 6 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,500

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,500 (one-time) vs. $5,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

City of Boulder (EPA ID: MT0000158) is a community water system in Montana that serves approximately 1,400 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 59632 in Boulder.

Average Home Safety Score: D (54/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
E. coli Microbiological 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

E. coli (EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action))

Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children At-risk groups: children under 5, elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women.

Removal methods: UV disinfection (99.99%), chlorination, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Boulder (MT0000158) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Boulder water safe to drink?

City of Boulder has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does City of Boulder serve?

City of Boulder serves approximately 1,400 people across 1 ZIP code in Montana.

Where does City of Boulder get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.

Source: BOULDER CITY OF Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from BOULDER CITY OF Consumer Confidence Report:
Source water assessment report available at: https://deq.mt.gov/water/Programs/dw-sourcewater

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Minimal — disinfection only
Disinfection (typically chlorine) without additional filtration or coagulation stages. Common for groundwater systems where source water meets federal standards after disinfection alone.

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

Agricultural runoffIndustrial dischargeStormwater runoffMiningSeptic systems

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from BOULDER CITY OF Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
290
Unknown Material
350
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,400
Reported to Montana

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Federal compliance violations on record

These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).

  • MONITORING, ROUTINE (DBP), MAJOR · Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
    2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
    Failed to test drinking water for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) during the period. Cannot be sure of water quality for the reported period.
  • MONITORING, ROUTINE (DBP), MAJOR · Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)
    2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
    Failed to test drinking water for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) during the period. Cannot be sure of water quality for the reported period.

Violations record from BOULDER CITY OF Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Boulder safe to drink?
City of Boulder has a D safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Boulder's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), E. coli. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does City of Boulder serve?
City of Boulder serves approximately 1,400 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is City of Boulder's water source?
City of Boulder draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of City of Boulder's service area?
The City of Boulder service area has a median household income of $62,770. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Boulder get its water?
City of Boulder's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

City of Boulder (EPA ID: MT0000158) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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