Curious about Superfund? You are not alone.
This site is provided by the Citizens Technical Environmental Committee (CTEC). Our mission is to inform citizens and provide guidance throughout the ongoing Superfund cleanup in and around Butte and the Silver Bow Creek watershed.
If you live here, work here, or care about this place, you've likely heard many things about Superfund — some accurate, some confusing, and some alarming. This site exists to help make sense of it all.
Here you'll find clear, plain-language information about what happened, what's happening now, and how the cleanup affects people, neighborhoods, and the landscape we share.
Is this affecting me or my family?
Learn about drinking water safety, soil and attic testing, blood lead testing, and what Superfund means for daily life in Butte and surrounding communities.
Health & HomeWhat happened here?
A plain-language history of mining in Butte, the Berkeley Pit, Silver Bow Creek, and how more than a century of industrial activity led to one of the largest Superfund sites in the country.
What Happened HereWhat's happening now — and what comes next?
Explore the cleanup by area, understand what work is ongoing, and see how recovery is shaping trails, wetlands, and public spaces across the region.
The CleanupHow this site works
This is a large and complicated cleanup. You don't need to understand all of it at once.
You can start anywhere:
- Read a quick answer and move on
- Follow a topic deeper if you want details
- Come back later and pick up where you left off
Every page includes links to related topics, so you're never stuck or lost. If at any point you just want the basics, the Start Here and Health & Home sections are always available from the top menu.
Quick answers to common concerns
Is Butte's drinking water safe?
Yes. Public drinking water is tested frequently and meets or exceeds all standards.
Learn more about drinking water →Is the Berkeley Pit going to overflow?
No. The water level is actively managed and kept well below a protective limit.
How pit water is managed →Is mining still happening in Butte?
Yes, but in a limited and regulated way, separate from the Superfund cleanup.
Mining today in Butte →