Water System Report MT

City of Big Timber

EPA ID: MT0000463 · 1,650 people served · 2 ZIP codes

In every reporting cycle over the past five years, City of Big Timber has come through without a single EPA violation — a consistent performance across the full service population of approximately 1,650 residents that reflects both well-maintained infrastructure and reliable operational oversight.

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

C · 68
Avg Safety Score
1,650
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
0
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$67,326
Median Household Income
3,151
Service Area Population
10%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
79%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Big Timber serves a community with a median household income of $67,326 and an estimated 3,151 residents across its service area. Approximately 79% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

City of Big Timber's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
75th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 75th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.

Infrastructure Risk

63 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
8 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 89% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Montana

City of Choteau
1,691 people
C 3 violations
C 0 violations
Plains Town of
1,700 people
C 1 violation
C 0 violations
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $900
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $1,300

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.

System Overview

City of Big Timber (EPA ID: MT0000463) is a community water system in Montana that serves approximately 1,650 people from surface water sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: C (68/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
59011 0.003 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 Big Timber (MT0000463) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Big Timber water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, City of Big Timber has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does City of Big Timber serve?

City of Big Timber serves approximately 1,650 people across 2 ZIP codes in Montana.

Where does City of Big Timber get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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 BIG TIMBER CITY OF 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
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine

Source: BIG TIMBER 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.

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 BIG TIMBER 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
0
Unknown Material
941
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 2024-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,650
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 Big Timber safe to drink?
City of Big Timber has a C safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
City of Big Timber meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does City of Big Timber serve?
City of Big Timber serves approximately 1,650 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is City of Big Timber's water source?
City of Big Timber draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Big Timber's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Big Timber's service area?
The City of Big Timber service area has a median household income of $67,326. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Big Timber get its water?
City of Big Timber's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. 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 Big Timber (EPA ID: MT0000463) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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