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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 59404 Water Quality Report

Great Falls, MT · Cascade County County

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

2

Total Violations

13

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

2

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 59404

Tap water in ZIP code 59404 (Great Falls, MT) has received a D grade (score: 51/100) — below average for the nation. City of Great Falls has recorded notable violations with EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations. Residents may want to consider additional filtration and review their annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Water System

City of Great Falls

EPA ID: MT0000525

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

60,000 residents

County

Cascade County County, Montana

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Lead Levels in ZIP 59404

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 8.0 ppb — Below Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 59404 is 8.0 ppb, below the EPA action level of 15 ppb but above what many health experts consider ideal. The CDC and EPA both affirm there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Families with young children or pregnant women should consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter, and request lead testing of their home's tap water.

Lead exposure risk in 59404 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 56% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This typically reflects older housing stock built before 1986 (when lead pipes were banned), aging distribution infrastructure, or detected lead levels in water samples. Families should prioritize getting their tap water tested independently and installing a certified lead-reducing filter.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
8.00 ppb (0.008 mg/L)
Copper Level (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

2.21 mg/L
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

56%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

City of Great Falls has recorded 2 health-based violations in the past 5 years. Multiple health violations suggest recurring compliance challenges. Residents should request a copy of the annual Consumer Confidence Report to understand what contaminants were involved and what corrective actions were taken.

Total Violations (5 yr)
13
Health-Based Violations
2
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
High

Regulatory compliance risk is rated High. City of Great Falls has a pattern of compliance issues that goes beyond isolated incidents. Residents should stay informed via their utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 2 contaminants associated with health-based violations in ZIP code 59404: Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Contaminant 0700. These contaminants exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act at some point in the 5-year monitoring period. The presence of these violations does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe — water systems are often required to increase monitoring and treatment when violations occur. Review the annual Consumer Confidence Report for the most current status.

Consumer Confidence Report RuleContaminant 0700

⚖ Enforcement Actions

10 enforcement actions have been issued against City of Great Falls — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

1.98%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 59404 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact City of Great Falls to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 59404 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 59404?+
Tap water in 59404 has a below-average water quality grade of D. While it is treated, there have been notable compliance issues. We strongly recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter for drinking and cooking, especially for vulnerable populations.
What is the lead level in 59404 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 59404 is 8.0 ppb (parts per billion). The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the action level, but some health experts recommend a lead filter for families with young children.
Who provides tap water to 59404?+
Tap water in ZIP code 59404 is provided by City of Great Falls (EPA ID: MT0000525). This system serves approximately 60,000 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 59404?+
ZIP code 59404 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 59404 have any active water quality violations?+
There are 2 health-based violations in the past 5-year record, but no currently unresolved violations according to EPA data. This means past issues have been addressed.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 59404?+
Your water utility — City of Great Falls — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "City of Great Falls Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 59404?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 59404, with detected contaminants including Consumer Confidence Report Rule and Contaminant 0700, a multi-stage filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended.
Is 59404 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Given the detected lead level of 8.0 ppb in 59404, we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter or certified bottled water for preparing infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 59404 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by City of Great Falls. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →