Program Overview
Montanans rely heavily on ground water as the primary source of drinking water for many rural domestic water supplies as well as public water systems. Ground water is also important for irrigation, livestock, and indirectly for thermoelectric power. Montana’s programs for the protection and remediation of ground water are driven by the need to keep ground water safe from contamination and to protect and support the current and future uses of ground water.
Montana Ground Water Pollution Control System (MGWPCS)
The Montana Ground Water Pollution Control System (MGWPCS) program issues ground water discharge permits to owners of potential sources of pollution to state ground water. Typical permitted facilities include residential wastewater treatment systems, metal ore mills, lumber mills, wood product manufacturers, breweries, and community water treatment plants.
For FACTS system tutorials, assistance, and contacts, visit the Permitting and Operator Assistance page.
Ground Water Permitting Contacts
Bureau Chief
Tatiana Davila
Ground Water Permitting Section Supervisor
Erik Englebert
Billings Office
Dan Freeland
Bozeman Office
Chris Romankiewicz
Helena Office
Austin Jaynes
Luke Scannell
Missoula Office
John O'Bannon
- construct, modify, or operate a disposal system that discharges into any state waters;
- construct or use any outlet for the discharge of sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes into any state waters; or
- discharge sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes into any state waters.
MGWPCS permits are for discharge to state ground waters. They are not applicable for discharges occurring within the boundaries of federally recognized Indian Lands. For additional information on discharges occurring within Indian Lands please refer to the USEPA Underground Injection Control Program.
MGWPCS permits may also not be applicable for discharges located near state surface waters. For additional information on surface water discharge permits, please refer to the Surface Water Discharge Permitting (MPDES) program.
An individual MGWPCS permit is a stand-alone permit issued for a site-specific activity. Each individual permit may differ as they are based on the specifics of each discharge site and of each proposed discharge activity.
Each individual permit is placed into a category based on the type of wastewater to be discharged; either domestic (e.g. sinks, toilets, showers) or non-domestic (industrial or other wastewater). Please apply or renew an individual permit using our online system FACTS.
Maintenance of an existing permit is sometimes needed in order to keep the permit up to date with proposed facility or administration changes. Modifications may be classified as either a minor or major depending on the proposed changes.
Major modifications are typically required when the permittee plans to alter their collection system, treatment facility, or disposal structures (e.g. addition of a discharging structure, increase in design capacity). A modification may not be required when replacing like-for-like equipment, or improving the existing treatment methods. The application procedures for major modification of an individual permit mirrors the administrative procedure in applying for a new permit.
Minor modifications are typical when the permittee plans on undergoing minor administrative changes such as transfer of permit ownership. In order to transfer ownership, a complete PTN form, along with a $500 minor modification fee is required.