Montana Department of Environmental Quality About Us Permitting & Operator Assistance Public Participation

Water

Permitting and Operator Assistance

The information and resources on this page are intended to assist the regulated community. This is your information hub whether you are seeking a new permit, looking for a particular form or requirement related to an existing permit, hoping to learn about becoming a certified operator, or looking for information about operating a public water supply system or wastewater system.

Please let us know if do not find what you are looking for in the sections below.


Permitting

Whenever a municipality, industry, or other entity wishes to discharge water to a surface water of the state, that entity must first obtain a permit from DEQ. Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permits regulate wastewater discharges by limiting the quantities of pollutants to be discharged. The limits and/or requirements in the permit help ensure compliance with Montana’s Water Quality Standards, and State and Federal Regulations, all of which were written to protect public health and the aquatic environment.

If you are looking to comment on a pending water quality permit, approval, environmental review, or other action, visit the Public Participation page.

 

Individual Permits for Discharges to Surface Waters

Whenever a municipality, industry, or other entity seeks to discharge wastewater to a state surface water, that entity must first obtain a Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permit from DEQ. There are two types of MPDES permits: Individual and General. DEQ develops the limits and requirements for an Individual Permit based on a facility's operations, type and amount of discharge, and the nature of the receiving stream, among other factors.  To view Individual Permits currently open for public comment click here.

All forms are provided using FACTS.  Please log into, or create an account in FACTS to apply, or renew online, using the BLUE FACTS button above.
MPDES Individual Permits
Permit Number Facility Name Permittee Name Location
MT0000019 Whitefish Depot BNSF Whitefish MT
MT0000191 Montana Resources Montana Resources Butte MT
MT0000221 Kootenai Business Park Kootenai Business Park Industrial District Libby MT
MT0000230 Montana Sulphur and Chemical Co Montana Sulphur and Chemical Co Billings MT
MT0000248 Sugar Beet Processing Facility Sidney Sugars Inc Richland County MT
MT0000256 Phillips 66 Billings Refinery Phillips 66 Company Billings MT
MT0000264 CHS, Inc. CHS, Inc. Laurel MT
MT0000281 Sugar Beet Processing Facility Western Sugar Cooperative Yellowstone County MT
MT0000302 Lewis & Clark Station Steam Electric Power Plant Montana Dakota Utilities Co Sidney MT
MT0000388 Montana Rail Link  Helena Montana Rail Link Helena MT
MT0000400 City of Harlowton City of Harlowton Harlowton MT
MT0000442 Great Falls WTP City of Great Falls Great Falls MT
MT0000451 Ash Grove Cement Company Ash Grove Cement Company Clancy MT
MT0000477 Par Montana Billings Refinery Par Montana, LLC Billings, MT
MT0000485 GCC Three Forks, LLC GCC Three Forks, LLC Three Forks MT
MT0000884 Big Sky Coal Company Big Sky Coal Company Colstrip MT
MT0000892 Decker West Mine Decker Coal Company Bighorn County MT
MT0020001 City of Miles City Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Miles City Miles City MT
MT0020028 City of Hamilton Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Hamilton Hamilton MT
MT0020036 City of Columbia Falls WWTP City of Columbia Falls Columbia Falls MT
MT0020044 City of Lewistown Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facilities City of Lewistown Lewistown MT
MT0020052 City of Choteau WWTP City of Choteau Teton County MT
MT0020079 City of Conrad WWTP City of Conrad Conrad MT
MT0020125 City of Chinook WWTP City of Chinook Blaine County MT
MT0020133 Town of Whitehall WWTP Town of Whitehall Whitehall MT
MT0020141 City of Cut Bank WWTP City of Cut Bank Cut Bank MT
MT0020168 Lolo Water & Sewer District Missoula County Commissioners Lolo MT
MT0020184 City of Whitefish Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Whitefish Whitefish MT
MT0020249 Town of Joliet WWTP Town of Joliet Carbon County MT
MT0020303 Town of Bridger WWTP Town of Bridger Bridger MT
MT0020311 City of Laurel Wastewater Plant City of Laurel Laurel MT
MT0020338 Town of Chester WWTP Town of Chester Chester MT
MT0020354 City of Harlowton WWTP City of Harlowton Harlowton MT
MT0020371 Town of Ekalaka WWTP Town of Ekalaka Ekalaka MT
MT0020389 City of Malta WWTP City of Malta Malta MT
MT0020397 City of Bigfork Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Bigfork Bigfork MT
MT0020401 Town of Three Forks WWTP Town of Three Forks Gallatin County MT
MT0020435 City of Livingston Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Livingston Livingston MT
MT0020451 Town of Ryegate WWTP Town of Ryegate Golden Valley County MT
MT0020460 Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch Billings MT
MT0020478 City of Red Lodge Domestic Wastewater Plant City of Red Lodge Red Lodge MT
MT0020494 City of Libby Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Libby Libby MT
MT0020516 Town of Wibaux WWTP Town of Wibaux Wibaux MT
MT0020656 Hinsdale Water and Sewer District WWTP Hinsdale Water and Sewer District Hinsdale MT
MT0020664 City of Superior WWTP City of Superior Superior MT
MT0020699 City of White Sulphur Springs WWTP City of White Sulphur Springs White Sulphur Springs MT
MT0020753 City of Big Timber WWTP City of Big Timber Big Timber MT
MT0020796 Town of Circle WWTP Town of Circle Circle MT
MT0021211 City of Glasgow WWTP City of Glasgow Glasgow MT
MT0021288 City of Forsyth WWTP City of Forsyth Forsyth MT
MT0021385 Town of Jordan WWTP Town of Jordan Jordan MT
MT0021431 Galen WWTP Montana Behavioral Health Galen MT
MT0021440 Vaughn Cascade Cnty Sewer District  WWTP Vaughn Cascade Cnty Sewer District Cascade County MT
MT0021458 City of Dillon WWTP City of Dillon Dillon MT
MT0021555 Town of Alberton  WWTP Town of Alberton Alberton MT
MT0021571 Town of Belt WWTP Town of Belt Belt MT
MT0021601 City of Fort Benton WWTP City of Fort Benton Fort Benton MT
MT0021628 City of Glendive Domestic Wastewater Treatment Lagoon City of Glendive Glendive MT
MT0021636 Town of Hobson WWTP Town of Hobson Hobson MT
MT0021679 Town of Sunburst WWTP Town of Sunburst Sunburst MT
MT0021750 Absarokee Sewer District RSID 5 & 7 WWTP Absarokee Sewer District RSID 5 & 7 Absarokee MT
MT0021792 Town of Valier WWTP Town of Valier Valier MT
MT0021849 City of Sidney Wastewater Treatment Facility City of Sidney Sidney MT
MT0021857 City of Manhattan WWTP City of Manhattan Manhattan MT
MT0021920 City of Great Falls Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Great Falls Great Falls MT
MT0021938 City of Kalispell Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Kalispell Kalispell MT
MT0022012 City and County of Butte-Silver Bow Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facilities City and County of Butte-Silver Bow Butte MT
MT0022080 Highwood County Water & Sewer District  WWTP Highwood County Water & Sewer District Highwood MT
MT0022161 Town of Stanford WWTP Town of Stanford Stanford MT
MT0022373 City of Colstrip WWTP City of Colstrip Colstrip MT
MT0022390 USCOE Libby Dam USCOE Libby Dam Libby MT
MT0022462 Town of Denton WWTP Town of Denton Denton MT
MT0022535 City of Havre Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Havre Havre MT
MT0022578 US Bureau of Reclamation - Hungry Horse Dam US Bureau of Reclamation Hungry Horse MT
MT0022586 City of Billings Sewage Treatment Plant City of Billings Billings MT
MT0022594 City of Missoula Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facilities City of Missoula Missoula, MT
MT0022608 City of Bozeman Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facilities City of Bozeman Bozeman MT
MT0022616 City of Deer Lodge Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facility City of Deer Lodge Deer Lodge MT
MT0022641 City of Helena Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Helena Helena MT
MT0022705 Gardiner Park County Water & Sewer Dist WWTP Gardiner Park County Water & Sewer Dist Gardiner MT
MT0022713 Town of Stevensville WWTP Town of Stevensville Stevensville MT
MT0023078 Town of Boulder WWTP Town of Boulder Boulder MT
MT0023566 Elkhorn Health and Rehabilitation WWTP Elkhorn Health and Rehabilitation LLC Alhambra MT
MT0023604 Westmoreland Savage Corp Savage Mine Westmoreland Savage Corp W of Savage MT
MT0023639 Peace Valley Hot Springs Wastewater Treatment Facility Peace Valley Hot Springs Jefferson County MT
MT0023965 Rosebud Mine Western Energy Company Colstrip MT
MT0024210 Decker East Mine Decker Coal Company Blaine County MT
MT0024619 Spring Creek Coal - Spring Creek Mine Spring Creek Coal LLC Decker MT

MT0024716

Environmental Assessment

Response to Comments

Stillwater Mining Co Stillwater Mine Stillwater Mining Company Stillwater County MT
MT0025020 Paleo Search Inc. Suction Dredge Paleo Search Inc. Lewis and Clark County MT
MT0025038 Willow Creek WWTP Willow Creek Sewer District #306 Willow Creek MT

MT0026808

Environmental Assessment

Response to Comments

Stillwater Mining Co  East Boulder  Stillwater Mining Company Big Timber MT
MT0027430 County Sewer & Water Dist of Rocker  County Sewer & Water Dist of Rocker Rocker MT
MT0027821 Beaverhead Mine Magris Talc USA, Inc. Madison County MT
MT0028321 Par Montana Billings Refinery (Suction Dredge Operation) Par Montana, LLC Billings MT
MT0028584 Yellowstone Mine Magris Talc USA, Inc. Madison MT
MT0028665 Sun Prairie Village WWTP  Sun Prairie Village Water & Sewer District Sun Prairie MT
MT0028720 City of Helena - Ten Mile WWTP City of Helena Helena MT
MT0028797 Town of Twin Bridges WWTP Town of Twin Bridges Twin Bridges MT
MT0028983 Bull Mountain Mine #1 WWT Signal Peak Energy LLC Roundup MT
MT0029840 Econo Lodge Motel Partners I Missoula MT
MT0029891 Treasure Mine Barretts Minerals Inc Dillon MT
MT0029980 Potable Water Treatment Plant Montana Aviation Research Co Valley County MT
MT0030091 Stockett Water & Sewer Dist WWTP Stockett Water & Sewer Dist Stockett MT
MT0030155 City of Bozeman WTP City of Bozeman Bozeman MT
MT0030180 Yellowstone Energy Limited Partnership Yellowstone Energy Limited Partnership Billings MT
MT0030244 Town of Kevin WWTP Town of Kevin Kevin MT
MT0030252 Mineral Hill Mine Jardine Land & Livestock, LLC Gardiner MT
MT0030261 City of Laurel WTP City of Laurel Laurel MT
MT0030279 Montanore Mine Montanore Minerals Corp Libby MT
MT0030287 Rock Creek Mine Revett Silver Company Sanders County MT
MT0030295 City of Roundup WWTP City of Roundup Roundup MT
MT0030309 Town of Grass Range WWTP Town of Grass Range Grass Range MT
MT0030341 City of Libby WWTP City of Libby Libby MT
MT0030350 REC Advanced Silicon Materials WWTP REC Advanced Silicon Materials LLC Silver Bow County MT
MT0030414 City of Whitefish WTP City of Whitefish Whitefish MT
MT0030422 City of Colstrip WTP City of Colstrip Colstrip MT
MT0030465 Town of Plains WWTP Town of Plains Plains MT
MT0030473 City of Chinook Potable Water City of Chinook Blaine County MT
MT0030601 Lake McDonald WWTP Glacier National Park West Glacier MT
MT0030651 Non Contact Cooling Water Don Abbey Rollins MT
MT0030732 Town of Ennis WWTP Town of Ennis Ennis MT
MT0031411 Stoker Coal Processing Facility Wolf Mountain Coal Inc Decker MT
MT0031437 Sweetgrass Community WWTP Sweetgrass Comm Community Water Sewer Dist Toole County MT
MT0031453 Town of Winifred WWTP Town of Winifred Winifred MT
MT0031488 City of Shelby WWTP City of Shelby Shelby MT
MT0031500 Town of Philipsburg  WWTP Town of Philipsburg Philipsburg MT
MT0031551 Fort Peck Dam US Army Corps of Engineers Fort Peck
MT0031631 City of Bozeman WTP City of Bozeman Bozeman MT
MT0031658 Non Contact Cooling Water John Collins Whitefish MT
MT0031712 Wolf Creek County Water Sewer Dist  WWTP Wolf Creek County Water Sewer Dist Wolf Creek MT
MT0031755 Butte Highlands Mine Butte Highlands JV LLC Silver Bow County
MT0031763 Rock Creek Mine - Road Project RC Resources Sanders County
MT0031780 Rosebud Power Plant Colstrip Energy Limited Partnership Colstrip MT
MT0031798 Culbertson WWTF Town of Culbertson Culbertson MT
MT0031801 Columbus WWTF City of Columbus Columbus, MT
MT0031828 Western Energy Company Rosebud Mine Area F Colstrip, MT
MT0031861 Montana Artesian Water Company Montana Artesian Water Company Creston, MT
MT0031879 Laurel Travel Center Domestic WWTF TA Operating LLC Laurel, MT

MT0031909

Fact Sheet

Response to Comments

Tintina Montana, Inc.

 

Black Butte Copper Project White Sulphur Springs, MT
MT0022560 City of East Helena WWTP City of East Helena East Helena MT
MT0021229 Westmoreland Resources - Absaloka Mine Westmoreland Resources Inc Big Horn County MT
MT0032042 Rosebud Mine Area B AM5 Westmoreland Rosebud Mining, LLC Colstrip, MT

MT0032051

Environmental Assessment 

Response to Comments

Yellowstone Mountain Club Snowmaking Yellowstone Mountain Club Snowmaking Big Sky, MT

General Permits for Discharges to Surface Waters

Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permits are required for wastewater discharges to state surface waters. There are two types of MPDES permits: Individual and General. A General Permit covers facilities with similar operations and types of discharge, and whose discharges have minimal environmental impact. Examples of this category of permit would be wastewater discharges associated with concentrated feeding operations or suction dredging. All facilities must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) form and other application materials required by the specific General Permit. Written authorization from DEQ is required before an applicant can discharge under any (non-storm water) General Permit.


To be eligible for coverage the General Permit for Domestic Sewage Treatment Lagoons – Continuous Dischargers, a facility must meet the eligibility requirements above.


Pesticides – MTG870000

The General Permit for Pesticides regulates the discharge of certain pesticides (due to application into, over, or near state surface waters) into state surface waters. This is not a pesticide applicator license.

Applicants will be classified as Tier I or Tier II facilities, depending on their pesticide use pattern and total annual treatment area. If a permittee’s application area is less than the thresholds designated for their use pattern, they are considered Tier I facilities and are subject to universal requirements. Tier II facilities are subject to additional requirements, including the development of a Pesticide Discharge Management Plan.


Suction Dredges - MTG370000

The General Permit for Portable Suction Dredging regulates discharge wash water from portable recreational suction dredge operations into state surface waters. Effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions are set forth in the General Permit.

New applicants must secure area seasonal stream restrictions from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologist. Both new and renewal applicants must complete a Notice of Intent (Form NOI37), which is filed with DEQ. The fee structure is included on the NOI37 form. All applicants must secure a no-cost Section 310 Permit from the local Conservation District.


Storm water runoff results from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, and parking lots. Storm water runoff carries a variety of pollutants including sediment, oil, fertilizers, pesticides, trash, and animal waste that can negatively impact water quality. DEQ regulates discharges of storm water from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction activities, and industrial operations through three Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) General Permits.

Montanans rely heavily on groundwater as the primary source of drinking water for many rural domestic water supplies as well as public water systems. Groundwater is also important for irrigation, livestock, and indirectly for thermoelectric power. Montana’s programs for the protection and remediation of groundwater are driven by the need to keep groundwater safe from contamination and to protect and support the current and future uses of groundwater

Montana Groundwater Pollution Control System (MGWPCS) - Groundwater Permits

The Montana Groundwater Pollution Control System (MGWPCS) program issues groundwater discharge permits to owners of potential sources of pollution to state groundwater. Typical permitted facilities include residential wastewater treatment systems, metal ore mills, lumber mills, wood product manufacturers, breweries, and community water treatment plants.

Who Needs a Permit?

The Montana Water Quality Act (§75-5-605 ) requires a valid permit for the following activities:

(a) construct, modify, or operate a disposal system that discharges into any state waters;

(b) construct or use any outlet for the discharge of sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes into any state waters; or

(c) discharge sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes into any state waters.

MGWPCS permits are for discharge to state groundwaters. 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 (MPDES) program.

Applying for a MGWPCS Permit

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

Existing Groundwater Permits

GW permits
Permit Number Facility Name Name Location
MTX000002 CONTACT MINING COMPANY CONTACT MINING COMPANY PHILIPSBURG
MTX000014 OT MINING CORPORATION OT MINING CORPORATION BASIN
MTX000052 COLSTRIP ENERGY LP ROSEBUD FLYASH DISPOSAL COLSTRIP ENERGY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP COLSTRIP
MTX000061 YELLOWSTONE ENERGY LTD YELLOWSTONE ENERGY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP WARREN
MTX000092 PLUM CREEK MANUFACTURING FACILITY PLUM CREEK COLUMBIA FALLS COLUMBIA FALLS
MTX000094 BARRETTS MINERALS INC BARRETTS MINERALS INC DILLON
MTX000097 PARADINE MILL PARADINE MILL, INC. RADERSBURG
MTX000099 ROSEBURG FOREST PRODUCTS ROSEBURG FOREST PRODUCTS MISSOULA
MTX000100 STAMPEDE PACKING COMPANY AKA MEAT PRODUCTION INC STAMPEDE PACKING COMPANY KALISPELL
MTX000102 NEW CASTLE COURT LIERG INC MISSOULA
MTX000103 RAMSHORN VIEW ESTATES RAMSHORN SUBDIVISION OWNERS ASSOCIATION GALLATIN GATEWAY
MTX000105 DRH CHICO TENANT LLC CHICO HOT SPRINGS PRAY
MTX000108 4 DOT MEADOWS SUBDIVISION 4 DOT MEADOWS CO WATER AND SEWER BELGRADE
MTX000110 FOUR CORNERS WATER & SEWER DISTRICT WWTS FOUR CORNERS WATER & SEWER DISTRICT BOZEMAN
MTX000111 WOODY MOUNTAIN SUBDIVISION TRIPLE TREE INC MISSOULA
MTX000112 VALLEY GROVE WATER AND SEWER VALLEY GROVE WATER AND SEWER DIST BOZEMAN
MTX000115 BLAINS MOBILE HOME COURT MEADOWLARK CAPITAL LLC BILLINGS
MTX000116 CITY OF BELGRADE CITY OF BELGRADE BELGRADE
MTX000118 AVALON LIVING INC ST. FRANCIS SENIOR RESOURCES INC EMIGRANT
MTX000119 RED CREEK RANCH LLC RED CREEK RANCH USERS ASSOC INC WEST YELLOWSTONE
MTX000121 AQUAFLO LLC - SKYVIEW WATER AND SEWER UTILITY AQUAFLO LLC HELENA
MTX000122 CORVALLIS WWTF CORVALLIS COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT CORVALLIS
MTX000123 CRAZY MOUNTAIN GUEST RANCH ALTRIA GROUP DISTRIBUTION COMPANY CLYDE PARK
MTX000125 SUN MOUNTAIN LUMBER MILL SUN MOUNTAIN LUMBER INC DEER LODGE
MTX000126 BOZEMAN HOT SPRINGS CAMPGROUND TRD INC BOZEMAN
MTX000127 TOWN PUMP TRAVEL PLAZA BONNER BONNER 1 RE BONNER
MTX000129 FIRELIGHT MEADOWS SUBDIVISION HLH LLC BIG SKY
MTX000134 SUGAR LOAF WOOL CARDING MILL SUGAR LOAF WOOL CARDING MILL HALL
MTX000135 GOLDEN ESTATES III GOLDEN ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOC HELENA
MTX000136 BELGRADE GARDENS SUBDIVISION BELGRADE COMMERCIAL PARK CORP BELGRADE
MTX000138 MT DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION - DENA MORA REST AREA MONTANA DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION SALTESE
MTX000141 BRIDGE CREEK ESTATES BRIDGE CREEK ESTATES LLC HELENA
MTX000142 WILDFLOWER SUBDIVISION WILDFLOWER SUBDIVISION HOA HAMILTON
MTX000143 SADDLEBACK RIDGE SUBDIVISION SADDLEBACK RIDGE HOMEOWNERS ASSOC. LAUREL
MTX000144 BRIDGER BOWL BRIDGER BOWL BOZEMAN
MTX000145 BOZEMAN FISH TECHNOLOGY CENTER US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BOZEMAN
MTX000146 TURAH MEADOWS CO SEWER AND WATER DIST TURAH MEADOWS CO SEWER AND WATER DIST TURAH
MTX000147 RIVER ROCK SUBDIVISION RIVER ROCK COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DIST BELGRADE
MTX000148 TOWN PUMP THREE FORKS THREE FORKS 1 RE2 THREE FORKS
MTX000149 FOX CROSSING SUBDIVISION FOX CROSSING SUBDIVISION HOMEOWNERS ASSOC HELENA
MTX000150 GREEN HILLS RANCH SUBDIVISION GREENHILLS RANCH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION BOZEMAN
MTX000151 HEBGEN LAKE ESTATES COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT HEBGEN LAKE ESTATES CO WATER SEWER DISTRICT WEST YELLOWSTONE
MTX000153 MANLEY MEADOWS SUBDIVISION COMMUNITY DRAINFIELD MANLEY MEADOWS HOMEOWNERS ASSN BOZEMAN
MTX000157 BROADWATER ESTATES MAJOR SUBDIVISION BROADWATER DEVELOPMENT LLC HELENA
MTX000160 GRASSLAND SUBDIVISION GRASSLAND ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOC HELENA
MTX000161 LINLEE LAKES SUBDIVISION AQUANET INC LINLEE LAKE ESTATE BILLINGS
MTX000162 TOWN PUMP TRAVEL PLAZA GREAT FALLS #5 GORE HILL GREAT FALLS 5 RE GREAT FALLS
MTX000164 GLACIER RANCH SUBDIVISION FIRST INTERSTATE BANK KALISPELL
MTX000165 EAST GALLATIN COMMERCIAL CNTR EAST GALLATIN COMMERCIAL CENTER PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC BOZEMAN
MTX000166 FALCON ESTATES SUBDIVISION SCOTT TWITE FLORENCE
MTX000167 GRAND VALLEY ESTATES TOM AND KIM HARRISON HELENA
MTX000168 SILVER CREEK COMMERCIAL SUBDIV BRIDGE CREEK ESTATES LLC HELENA
MTX000170 KOOTENAI CREEK VILLAGE FBN INC KOOTENAI CREEK VILLAGE VICTOR
MTX000171 ST MARY WASTEWATER FACILITY GLACIER NATIONAL PARK SAINT MARY
MTX000172 LAZY J SOUTH SUBDIVISION LAZY J UTILITY ASSOCIATION, INC. BIG SKY
MTX000174 FOX CROSSING III SUBDIVISION FX3 HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION EAST HELENA
MTX000176 APPLEGATE MEADOWS SUBDIVISION VALLEY SAND AND GRAVEL LLC HELENA
MTX000177 COUNTRYSIDE ESTATES SUBDIVISION WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM COUNTRYSIDE ESTATES COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BELGRADE
MTX000178 GLACIER POINT SUBDIVISION LEE WOLFE - INTEGRATED WATER INC HELENA
MTX000182 BRYANT NO 3 SUBDIVISION BRYANT ACRES NO 3 SUBDIVISION HELENA
MTX000188 KOOTENAI LODGE LAKE COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DIST KOOTENAI LODGE LAKE COUNTY WATER-SEWER BIGFORK
MTX000189 TOWN PUMP TRAVEL PLAZA BILLINGS #4 BILLINGS 4 RE LOCKWOOD
MTX000190 HAYFIELD ESTATES WWTS TENNESON FAMILY LLC HELENA
MTX000192 JEFFERSON LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORP SUNLIGHT BUSINESS PARK JEFFERSON LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORP. WHITEHALL
MTX000193 HUNGRY HORSE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT HUNGRY HORSE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS LLC HUNGRY HORSE
MTX000194 THE WILDERNESS CLUB WILDERNESS PRESERVE US LP EUREKA
MTX000197 JULIE RASMUSSEN - STONEY BROOK VILLAGE CONDOS JULIE RASMUSSEN MONTANA CITY
MTX000204 HOMESTAKE MEADOWS PHASE II WWTP HOMESTAKE MEADOWS PHASE II HOA BUTTE
MTX000205 CORONADO RESOURCES - MADISON PROJECT CORONADO RESOURCES USA LLC SILVER STAR
MTX000207 FRENCHTOWN SCHOOL DIST HIGH SCHOOL & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL FRENCHTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT FRENCHTOWN
MTX000208 ONE HORSE ESTATES SEWER SYSTEM ONE HORSE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
WILLIAM SCHROCK
FLORENCE
MTX000210 HERON CREEK SUBDIVISION SUSSEX DEVELOPMENT INC HELENA
MTX000211 ROCK CREEK RESORT WWTF ROCK CREEK RESORT RED LODGE
MTX000212 ROBERT ALEXANDER - RED DOG RANCH SUBDIVISION ROBERT ALEXANDER FRENCHTOWN
MTX000213 PEAK HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER SEWER SYSTEM PEAK HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER LLC MISSOULA
MTX000214 POINT OF PINES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOC INC WWTF POINT OF PINES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOC INC WHITEFISH
MTX000219 INDIAN SPRINGS RANCH LLC INDIAN SPRINGS SUBDIVISION INDIAN SPRINGS RANCH LLC EUREKA
MTX000220 GLACIER PARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RENTAL CAR FACILITY CARWASH FCA RENTALS LLC KALISPELL
MTX000221 MANY GLACIER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK BABB
MTX000223 GENESIS BUSINESS PARK GENESIS BUSINESS PARTNERS LLC BOZEMAN
MTX000224 BOZEMAN WATER TREATMENT PLANT CITY OF BOZEMAN BOZEMAN
MTX000225 FRONTIER BUILDERS - TIMBER WORKS ESTATES SUBDIVISION FRONTIER BUILDERS INC HELENA
MTX000226 GREY ROCK MAJOR SUBDIVISION GREY ROCK LLC HELENA
MTX000228 FH STOLTZE LAND AND LUMBER CO F H STOLTZE LAND AND LUMBER CO COLUMBIA FALLS
MTX000229 GALLATIN GATEWAY COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DIST WWF GALLATIN GATEWAY COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DIST GALLATIN GATEWAY
MTX000230 HF GATEWAY VILLAGE WASTEWATER FACILITY HF GATEWAY VILLAGE, LLC GALLATIN GATEWAY
MTX000231 ANACONDA-DEER LODGE COUNTY WASTEWATER HOLDING PONDS AND IP BEDS FACILITY ANACONDA DEER LODGE COUNTY ANACONDA
MTX000232 TOWN PUMP BELGRADE NO 4 TRUCK STOP AND CONVENIENCE STORE BELGRADE 4 RES2 BELGRADE
MTX000233 PARCEL #698800 LEE FOSS HAMILTON
MTX000234 SEELEY LAKE SEWER DISTRICT WATER RESOURCE AND RECOVERY FACILITY SEELEY LAKE SEWER DISTRICT POWELL COUNTY
MTX000238 SOUTH WIND WATER & SEWER DISTRICT WWTP SOUTH WIND WATER & SEWER DISTRICT GREAT FALLS
MTX000240 FOX HILLS UTILITIES, LLC FOX HILLS UTILITIES WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM KALISPELL
MTX000241 COUNTRY INN & SUITES HOTEL GLACIER PARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GLACIER PARK
MTX000242 LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS STATE PARK MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS STATE PARK
MTX000243 MILL CREEK MEADOW SUBDIVISIONS TOLLEFSON PROPERTIES, LLC MISSOULA COUNTY
MTX000244 WEST YELLOWSTONE WWTF TOWN OF WEST YELLOWSTONE GALLATIN COUNTY
MTX000245 TERRA NOVA CABINS WWT SYSTEM E.I. HOLDINGS GALLATIN COUNTY
MTX000248 PARK 520 HOTEL PARK 520 HOTEL LLC GALLATIN COUNTY
MTX000249 MICROTEL INN & SUITES SYSTEM M. Y. GLOBAL PROPERTIES LLC GALLATIN COUNTY
MTX000261 PARADISE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY SANDERS COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT AT PARADISE SANDERS COUNTY
MTX000264 WINSTON MINE WINSTON GOLD CORPORATION BROADWATER COUNTY
MTX000265 SHEPHERD SCHOOL WASTEWATER SYSTEM SHEPHERD SCHOOL YELLOWSTONE COUNTY
MTX000266 BIG SKY OPHIR SCHOOL BIG SKY SCHOOL DISTRICT #72 GALLATIN COUNTY
MTX000267 LEWIS AND CLARK CAVERNS CAMPGROUND FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS, STATE PARKS DIVISION JEFFERSON COUNTY
MTX000268 SMITH SUBDIVISIONS WWTF VALLEY CONSTRUCTION OF HELENA, LLC LEWIS & CLARK COUNTY
MTX000274 R BAR N ESTATES SUBDIVISION P & S MONTANA FARMS, LLC GALLATIN COUNTY
MTX000275 NORTH STAR LANDING SUBDIVISION LODESTONE ADVENTURES, LLC LINCOLN COUNTY
MTX000280 RIDGE RUN BASEBALL FACILITY MARTIN KELLY FLATHEAD COUNTY
MTX000287 STONEY BROOK VILLAGE CONDOS STONEY BROOK VILLAGE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION JEFFERSON COUNTY
MTX000289 BIG SKY WATERPARK MARLO'S LIQUID ASSESTS COMPANY, LLC FLATHEAD COUNTY
MTX000292 BOZEMAN #9 TOWN PUMP HUFFINE LANE BOZEMAN GOOCH HILL RE, LLC GALLATIN COUNTY

Contacts

Section Supervisor 
Vacant

Program Lead 
Chris Boe  (406) 444-6752

 

401 Water Quality Certification

The federal Clean Water Act requires state certification for any permit or license issued by a federal agency for an activity that may result in a discharge to state waters, including wetlands.

This requirement allows Montana to have input into federally approved projects that may affect its waters (rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands) and in protecting water quality by applying state water quality standards. Examples of activities that may require a Section 401 certification include:

  • Placement of dredged or fill materials into waters of the state and/or wetlands;
  • Structural fill such as culverts and bridge supports;
  • Road and utility crossings;
  • Dredging, excavation, channel widening, or straightening;
  • Flooding, excavating, draining and/or filling a wetland;
  • Bank sloping; stabilization;
  • Stream channel relocation;
  • Water diversions;
  • Diversion, obstruction, or change of the natural flow or bed of any waters of the state (e.g., debris removal, bank stabilization, or culverting);
  • Constructing a barrier across a stream, channel, or watercourse that will create a reservoir (e.g., dams, weirs, dikes, levees or other similar structures).
FORMS DESCRIPTION ASSOCIATED AUTHORIZATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS

•Application for Short-Term Exemption from Surface Water Quality Standards for Emergency Remediation Application (308)

This form is used to apply for a short-term exemption from surface water quality standards for emergency remediation application 308-Emergency Remediation

•Application for Short-Term Water Quality Standard for Turbidity Related to Construction Activity (318)

This form is used to apply for a short-term water quality standard for turbidity related to construction activities 318-Turbidity

Temporary Turbidity (318 Authorization)

Operators of a short-term construction or construction-related activity that could result in a release of sediment or turbid water must obtain authorization prior to beginning the project. Each authorization will include conditions that minimize, to the extent practicable, the magnitude of any change in water quality and the length of time during which any change may occur. Some may include site-specific requirements that ensure the activity does not have any long-term impact on existing and beneficial uses of state water.


Contacts

318 Authorization, 
Keenan Storrar (406) 444-2734

FACTS is the Water Protection Bureau’s online system to apply for and manage wastewater and stormwater discharge permits. All permits, individual surface and groundwater as well as general permits, are included in the system.

The only "general permit" exceptions are for 318 and 401 authorizations (respectively, these are Short-Term Water Quality Standard for Turbidity Related to Construction Activity and Water Quality Certification for Other Federal Permits & Licenses). These authorizations will be added in a future development phase of the system. For questions or assistance, please call 406-444-5388 or contact Gina Self by email at: gself@mt.gov

System Tutorials and Help


 Log In to FACTS

Note: This application works best when using Internet Explorer or Chrome.

Production System Login

Request Access to Test System

Noncompliance reporting is required when a permittee identifies condition(s) that are not in compliance with or when a permittee determines they will not be able to comply with a condition(s) of their permit. Examples of noncompliance include: any noncompliance that may endanger health or the environment; a discharge of pollutants from the construction project site to state waters; failure of installed Best Management Practices (BMPs); and failure to conduct inspections.

Timelines to Report Noncompliance

Permittees are required to adhere to the following oral and written reporting timelines.

24-Hour Notification

The permittee must provide an oral report to the Compliance Inspector within 24 hours of first identifying the noncompliance. If the event of noncompliance occurs on a weekend, leave a message on the Water Protection Bureau’s main number: (406) 444-5546 or the Water Quality Division line at (406) 444-6697.

Written Report

A written report must be submitted to the Compliance Inspector within five days of the discovery of noncompliance. The Discharge Permit Noncompliance Reporting form must be completed and mailed to the address below within five days of the 24-hour oral report.

Discharge Permit Noncompliance Reporting Form

Department of Environmental Quality Water Protection Bureau
c/o (Name of Compliance Inspector)
P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901
Water Protection Bureau Contacts:

Bureau Chief
Tatiana Davila (406) 444-0420

Program Support Specialist
Theresa Froehlich (406) 444-6764


Compliance, Training, and Technical Assistance: 

Section Supervisor
Chris Romankiewicz (406) 556-4514


Groundwater Permitting (MGWPCS), 401 Certification, and 318 Authorization:

Section Supervisor
Erik Englebert (406) 444-4806


Surface Water Permitting (MPDES):

Section Supervisor
Alanna Shaw (406) 444-3967


Operator Certification

Operator Certification Program information has moved! Please visit the new one-stop-shop for all your operator certification needs.

Water and Wastewater Operator Certification

Public Water Supply System Operator Assistance

An estimated 86 percent of Montanans get their water from public water systems. These public water systems and their water works operators are the first line of defense against contaminants getting into our water supplies and threatening public health. This section was developed for public water system owners and operators. For consumer information, go to Understanding Your Drinking Water on the Drinking Water program page.

Compliance and reporting is critical to maintaining both Montana’s public water supply and the health of Montana lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. DEQ conducts a variety of inspections and requires mandatory reporting to ensure compliance and protection of public health and Montana waters.

The purpose of a sanitary survey is to protect public health by ensuring a water system is able to consistently and reliably deliver an adequate quality and quantity of safe drinking water to the consumer and to maintain compliance with regulations.

To achieve this, the surveyor will evaluate eight key elements of a water system.

Eight Key Elements of a Sanitary Survey:

  • Source
  • Treatment
  • Distribution system
  • Finished water storage
  • Pumps, pump facilities, and controls
  • Monitoring, reporting, and data verification
  • System management and operation
  • Operator compliance with state requirements

In addition, technical assistance can be provided during the survey visit. This can be an opportunity to clarify proper monitoring and sampling requirements or procedures and be informed of any upcoming changes in regulations.

How Often are These Surveys Conducted?

Please refer to Sanitary Survey Fact Sheet for information on what to expect and how to prepare for an upcoming sanitary survey.

  • Community Water Systems: At leaste every three years
  • Non-Transient Non-Community Water System: At least every five years
  • Transient Non-Community Water System: At least every five years

The Public Water Supply Monitoring Schedule informs public water system operators, owners, and administrators on: what they must sample for; the required number of samples to be taken; where and when samples are to be taken; correct label information for the sample bottles and forms; and whether the system has met the current requirement.

Public Water Supply Monitoring Schedule


Submitting Public Water Sample Results

Individual system submittals for chlorines, SWTR monthly reports, and miscellaneous system submittals can be emailed to:

Submitting Public Water Sample Results - Using Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP)

The Compliance Monitoring Data Portal is a web-based reporting system created by EPA for laboratories reporting drinking water compliance sample results (and soon for public water systems to report operational data) to state primacy agencies. Nationally, the State Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) is being replaced and CMDP is the start of this transition to the new SDWIS Prime database

  • CMDP replaced the DEQ Lab Application Sample Reporting (LASR) application which has been retired and no longer supported by DEQ.
  • In Montana CMDP went into production October 2017
  • Information on Drinking Water Certified Lab Program.

Create a CMDP Account - CMDP - Reporting Data - EPA Advanced Shared Services

Submit your water sample results to CMDP - CMDP Login Page

Create a Sample Result Report - CMDP-Lab Report Builder Tool

This report builder tool is for CMDP labs to generate a results report for their customers. This tool provides a splitter that separates the CMDP report by individual PWSID and provides customization features for Lab address, logo, and customer address for a standard mailing window envelope.

Getting Started:

  • Save as a zip file, extract all, and will be saved as an html file.
  • Expand the instructions and step through to your sample results report.

Issuing a Drinking Water Advisory

Water systems and state or local agencies issue drinking water advisories when they believe water quality is or may be compromised. Advisories tell individuals, schools, hospitals, businesses, and others about the situation and how to take immediate action.

Public Notification Guidance

Mail, fax or email a copy to the person that sent you the letter. Please consult the specific rule manager for public notice requirements. Be sure to include the name of the DEQ staff person in the mailing address.

Submit information to:

Water Quality Division
c/o (Name of DEQ Employee)
P.O. Box 200901
Helena MT 59620-0901
Fax: (406) 444-1374


Public Water Supply Forms

Consumer Confidence Rule
Lead and Copper
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Disinfection By Products Rule
Fluoride Public Notice
Groundwater Chlorine Monitoring Form
Chemical Waivers

Surface Water Treatment System Report (SWTR)

Filtered System Forms:
Unfiltered System Forms
Consecutive Connection Systems (Surface Water Purchase)

Water/Sewer Main and Water Supply Well Checklists

Subdivision Forms

General Subdivision Forms
Application Parts I - IV
Other Subdivision Forms
Deviation Waiver Request Forms
Public Water Supply Field Services: (406) 444-6697

Field Services Supervisor
Lisa Kaufman (406) 444-5313


Field Services Contacts:
Billings Office

Karl Carlson (406) 247-4444

Helena Office

Gerard Gernand (406) 444-5881

Kirk Yoder (406) 444-7494

Tammy Jacobson (406) 444-4071

Kalispell Office

Mike Kropp (406) 755-8971

Melissa Gonser (406) 755-8976

Greg Sandberg (406) 755-8972

Missoula Office

Sandy Arnold (406) 541-9015

Melee Valett (406) 541-9016


Water Protection Bureau: (406) 444-0917

Compliance Section Supervisor
Darryl Barton (406) 444-0917


Compliance Inspectors:
Billings Office

Dan Freeland (406) 256-7655

Bozeman Office

Chris Romankiewicz (406) 475-2138

Helena Office

Jay Smith (406) 444-5338

Don Danesi (406) 444-6871

Missoula Office

John O'Bannon (406) 437-8333

Sample Reminders

DEQ will send a phone call, text, or email reminder for outstanding samples or forms with upcoming due dates. Participation is voluntary. It is still the responsibility of the PWS to meet their monitoring requirements and DEQ is not responsible for a PWS to maintain compliance. The contact is responsible for associated phone call or text charges, not DEQ.

Reminders will be sent for samples and forms before they are due, generally about 75% through compliance period. For example, total coliform reminders will be targeted for the third week of the month and annual nitrate will be scheduled for the end of the 3rd quarter (September). Each reminder will be sent specific to a rule (Bacteria will be separate from Chlorine, etc.). For contacts who are signed up as contact for multiple PWS, will receive one email with all the PWS that have outstanding forms or samples. Phone messages will leave a voice message if there is no answer and the phone has a voicemail option.

Reminders will not be sent for all rules. The rules that reminders will be sent include: RTCR - Monthly and Quarterly Bacteria and Seasonal Startup Form; Monthly Chlorine Sheets; Nitrate; Asbestos; SOC, VOC, IOC; DBP (3-year schedules only); Lead and Copper Sample and Consumer Notice; CCR and CCR Certification Form; Radionuclides; and State-Wide Waiver.

Please email the required information to dpws@mt.gov .  The required information includes: Contact Name, PWS Name and PWSID, Preferred delivery method phone call, text message, or email, phone number or email address.

Reminder contact need not be the operator or administrative contact, it can be anyone the system designates. Contacts that wish to receive reminders for more than one PWS are required to sign up for email reminders only (phone call and text message are not eligible). Each PWS is limited to one phone or text contact and up to five email contacts.

I sampled and still received a reminder. It is likely that the lab has not submitted the sample to DEQ. Please call your lab first and ask them to submit the sample to DEQ or contact the DEQ Rule Manager.

 I signed up for reminders and have not received one yet. If you have been sampling on time it is likely because DEQ has received the samples prior to sending the reminders. You can also confirm the contact information by asking DEQ.

 I did not receive a reminder and then I received a violation. It is the responsibility of water system to maintain compliance. This reminder service is designed to assist water systems but does not replace their responsibility.

 

Wastewater Treatment System Operator Assistance

Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permits for wastewater treatment require the reporting of discharge monitoring results. All Montana facilities required to submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) are directed to file electronically with NetDMR. EPA provides guidance and information to NetDMR through its support portal.

I. Attend NetDMR Training before creating a NetDMR account using one of two trainings:

EPA Online Training and Presentations


II. Create an account in NetDMR Test Site

Step 1: Create an account in the NetDMR Test Site (used for training only)

Step 2: Request your permit (s) and practice entering and submitting data in your NetDMR test account.

Step 3: After entering DMRs in the test environment log into the NetDMR Production Site.


III. Create an account in NetDMR Production Site

Step 1: Go to NetDMR Production Site (used for actual DMR submissions)

Step 2: Request your permit and VERIFY that your DMRs in NetDMR production match your permit requirements

Step 3: Submit a subscriber agreement for each permit to which you are requesting NetDMR production access.

Step 4: Enter and submit DMR data in your NetDMR production account per your permit requirements.

Step 5: Print a copy of a submitted DMR (COR).

Electronic Reporting Waiver

Contacts

Catherine Culver 444-0574

Gina Self 444-5388

An unintentional discharge of raw sewage from a sanitary sewer (sanitary sewer overflow), which does not occur at the designated waste water treatment plant outfall, can seriously endanger public health and contaminate waters, causing serious water quality problems.

Timelines to Report Noncompliance

Permittees are required to adhere to the following oral and written reporting timelines.

24-Hour Notification

Information must be provided orally to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) within 24 hours from the time the overflow was discovered. The 24-hour report of noncompliance must be made to the DEQ Water Protection Bureau at (406) 444-5546 or 444 - 6697 or to the state Office of Disaster and Emergency services at (406) 431-0411.

Written Report

A written report must also be provided within five days from the time the overflow was discovered. All sanitary sewer overflows, no matter the circumstances or cause, must be reported to DEQ, even if you do not believe a violation has occurred. See the documents below for additional information regarding timelines and reporting requirements for a sanitary sewer overflow.

SSO Reporting Form

DEQ is authorized by state law to require compliance with environmental laws, federal regulations, and state rules regulating surface water discharge and storm water permits. Compliance activities include traditional enforcement methods, such as inspections and public complaint response, as well as technical assistance.

Noncompliance reporting is required when a permittee identifies condition(s) that are not in compliance with or when a permittee determines they will not be able to comply with a condition(s) of their permit. Examples of noncompliance include: any noncompliance that may endanger health or the environment; a discharge of pollutants from the construction project site to state waters; failure of installed Best Management Practices (BMPs); and failure to conduct inspections.

Timelines to Report Noncompliance

Permittees are required to adhere to the following oral and written reporting timelines.

24-Hour Notification

The permittee must provide an oral report to the Compliance Inspector within 24 hours of first identifying the noncompliance. If the event of noncompliance occurs on a weekend, leave a message on the Water Protection Bureau’s main number: (406) 444-5546 or the Water Quality Division line at (406) 444-6697.

Written Report

A written report must be submitted to the Compliance Inspector within five days of the discovery of noncompliance. The Discharge Permit Noncompliance Reporting form must be completed and mailed to the address below within five days of the 24-hour oral report.

Discharge Permit Noncompliance Reporting Form

Department of Environmental Quality Water Protection Bureau
c/o (Name of Compliance Inspector)
P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901
Water Protection Bureau: (406) 444-5546

Compliance Section Supervisor
VACANT (406) 444-0917


Wastewater Technical Assistance:
Billings Office

Pete Boettcher (406) 247-4453

Helena Office

Josh Viall (406) 444-9631