Health Violations Found MT 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Hinsdale Water Department

EPA ID: MT0000250 · 250 people served · 2 ZIP codes

In the current EPA monitoring period, Hinsdale Water Department has 1 violation still listed as unresolved, with the utility supplying water to approximately 250 residents.

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

D · 41
Avg Safety Score
250
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
4
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.029 mg/L
Max Lead Level — Exceeds Limit
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Hinsdale Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$56,193
Median Household Income
481
Service Area Population
67%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
69%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Hinsdale Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $56,193 and an estimated 481 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 67% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Hinsdale Water Department'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
10th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
0th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Valley 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

51 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
22 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 70% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Hinsdale Water Department compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Montana

C 4 violations
0 violations
Sorrel Springs Hoa
250 people
0 violations
Ridgewood Estates
250 people
0 violations
Denton Town of
255 people
D 61 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Lead Pipe Replacement Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Lead Pipe Replacement $2,640
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $600
Water Filtration $150
Total Estimated Cost $4,590

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.)

Lead Exposure — Child Lifetime Cost $10,000

Per affected child (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,280
10 years
$10,560
20 years
$21,120

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $4,590 (one-time) vs. $10,560 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

Hinsdale Water Department (EPA ID: MT0000250) is a community water system in Montana that serves approximately 250 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (41/100)

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. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
November 11, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2025 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
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 3 Yes
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 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
59241 0.029 mg/L Yes N/A
Lead exceeds EPA action level in at least one sampling location. Consider using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 filter rated for lead removal.

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 Hinsdale Water Department (MT0000250) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hinsdale Water Department water safe to drink?

Hinsdale Water Department 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 Hinsdale Water Department serve?

Hinsdale Water Department serves approximately 250 people across 2 ZIP codes in Montana.

Where does Hinsdale Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Contact information from HINSDALE WATER DEPARTMENT Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

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

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine

Source: HINSDALE WATER DEPARTMENT Consumer Confidence Report.

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

Treatment regime

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

Treatment classification
Standard
Disinfection plus one or more treatment additives — typically corrosion control, pH adjustment, or fluoridation. Standard regime for utilities serving treated municipal water.

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from HINSDALE WATER DEPARTMENT 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
1
Galvanized — Replacement Required
157
Unknown Material
10
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 2023-01-01 exceeded the federal lead action level (0.015 mg/L).
Population served: 250
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 Hinsdale Water Department safe to drink?
Hinsdale Water Department has a D safety grade based on 4 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Hinsdale Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule. 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 Hinsdale Water Department serve?
Hinsdale Water Department serves approximately 250 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Hinsdale Water Department's water source?
Hinsdale Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Hinsdale Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.029 mg/L. This exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. A lead-certified filter is recommended, especially for homes with young children.
What is the demographic profile of Hinsdale Water Department's service area?
The Hinsdale Water Department service area has a median household income of $56,193. EPA EJScreen data classifies 67% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Hinsdale Water Department get its water?
Hinsdale Water Department'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 violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

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

Hinsdale Water Department (EPA ID: MT0000250) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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