APPLICANT NAME:
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County       

FACILITY NAME:
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Wastewater Holding Ponds and IP Beds Facility

FACILITY LOCATION:
Section 29, T5N, R10W, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
Latitude: 46.12924ᵒ, Longitude: -112.90081ᵒ

RECEIVING WATER:
Outfall 001 - Class I Ground Water

PERMIT NUMBER:
MTX000338

The Department proposes to renew the Montana Ground Water Pollution Control System (MGWPCS) permit, MTX000338, to Anaconda-Deer Lodge County for the operation and maintenance of the existing wastewater treatment and disposal system. This permitting action authorizes discharge of treated wastewater to ground water. The scope of this permitting action is for the operation, and maintenance of the proposed wastewater treatment and disposal system.

The facility consists of headworks with a fine screen for grit and debris removal, two partially aerated lagoons, two holding ponds, five rapid infiltration/percolation (IP) beds, and an effluent irrigation facility. The effluent irrigation facility is not covered under this permit. Wastewater from the City of Anaconda is collected and directed to the facility via an 18-in main. After the headworks, the waste flows into two partially aerated lagoons that provide 30-45 days of retention time and may be operated in series or parallel. The treated effluent then enters two holding ponds: the first is fully lined, and the second has lined sides and unlined bottom. Excess effluent is directed into the second holding pond once the first is full. From the second holding pond, the effluent may be infiltrated directly through the pond bottom, distributed to one of the five IP beds, or pumped to the facility’s nearby land application site via a 15-inch main. Both the second holding pond and the five IP beds discharge to Class I ground water. These structures are in close proximity to each other and receive treated wastewater from the same collection system. As such, they are designated as a single outfall (Outfall 001) at coordinates: Latitude 46.15806°, Longitude -112.88083°. 

Associated Materials:

• Public Notice
• Fact Sheet
• Environmental Assessment
• Draft Permit

Comment Period Ends:  December 18, 2025

Send Comments To:

DEQ Water Quality Division
Water Protection Bureau
PO Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620

Or electronically to:  DEQWPBPublicComments@mt.gov 

 

 

 

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Tags: MEPA, Public Comment and Water