Monitoring Violations MT

City of Deer Lodge

EPA ID: MT0000197 · 2,900 people served · 4 ZIP codes

In the current EPA monitoring period, City of Deer Lodge has 2 violations still listed as unresolved, with the utility supplying water to approximately 2,900 residents.

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

D · 45
Avg Safety Score
2,900
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
8
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
5
Contaminants Flagged
$328K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$61,590
Median Household Income
6,310
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
66%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Deer Lodge serves a community with a median household income of $61,590 and an estimated 6,310 residents across its service area. Approximately 66% 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 Deer Lodge'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
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Powell County, Montana rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

50 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
21 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 70% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Deer Lodge compares to EPA limits

Arsenic 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.01 mg/L

What This Means For You

Arsenic at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.01 mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Montana

D 2 violations
City of Cut Bank
3,105 people
C 2 violations
City of Glasgow
3,253 people
D 42 violations
0 violations
C 3 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,500 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

DEER LODGE CITY OF (EPA ID: MT0000197) is a community water system in Montana that serves approximately 2,900 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (45/100)

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

Violation History

8 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
October 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
August 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
December 30, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
November 6, 2024 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved
November 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No
Arsenic Inorganic 1 No
Total Coliform Microbiological 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
59722 0.002 mg/L No N/A

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 Deer Lodge (MT0000197) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Deer Lodge water safe to drink?

City of Deer Lodge has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does City of Deer Lodge serve?

City of Deer Lodge serves approximately 2,900 people across 4 ZIP codes in Montana.

Where does City of Deer Lodge 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: DEER LODGE 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 DEER LODGE CITY OF Consumer Confidence Report:
The source water assessment report for your water system provides additional information on your source water's susceptibility to contamination. To access this report please go to: 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.

Naturally occurring mineralsRadioactive materialSewage treatment plantsSepticsLivestock operationsWildlifeUrban stormwater runoffWastewater dischargesOil and gas productionMiningFarmingGas stations

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from DEER LODGE 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
10
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1,338
Unknown Material
95
Confirmed Non-Lead

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 2015-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,900
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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Deer Lodge safe to drink?
City of Deer Lodge has a D safety grade based on 8 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Deer Lodge's water?
Detected contaminants include Arsenic, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 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 Deer Lodge serve?
City of Deer Lodge serves approximately 2,900 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is City of Deer Lodge's water source?
City of Deer Lodge draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Deer Lodge's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Deer Lodge's service area?
The City of Deer Lodge service area has a median household income of $61,590. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Deer Lodge get its water?
City of Deer Lodge'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 Deer Lodge (EPA ID: MT0000197) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Montana City of Deer Lodge

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