Water

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

Contacts

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.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) - MTG010000

Construction Dewatering (CDGP) - MTG070000

Disinfected Water & Hydrostatic Testing – MTG770000

Domestic Sewage Treatment Lagoons – MTG580000, MTG581000

Batch & Non-Discharging Facilities – MTG580000

Continuous Discharging Facilities – MTG581000

Fish Farms - MTG130000

Pesticides – MTG870000

Petroleum Cleanup Discharges - MTG790000

Produced Water from Oil and Gas Production - MTG310000

Sand and Gravel - MTG490000

Suction Dredges - MTG370000

Transfer and Termination Forms

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.

Storm Water Construction (SWC) – MTR100000

Storm Water Industrial (MSGP) – MTR000000

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) – MTR000000

General Contacts

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?

Applying for a MGWPCS Permit

Permit Maintenance and Modifications

Existing Groundwater Permits

Contacts

Section Supervisor 
Erik Englebert (406) 444-4806

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).

Nationwide Permits

Fees

Contacts

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.

Who Must Apply

Activities Requiring a Permit

Application Procedure/Timeline

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

• User Registration and Management
• Manage Organizations
• Manage Organizations Contacts
• Signatory Authorities - Identity Proofing and Electronic Signature Agreement
• Renewing a CAFO
• MPDES/MGWPCS Application
• MPDES/MGWPCS Application Renewal
• Pay Fees
• Sign Application
• Frequently Asked Questions
• FACTS System SW-C Training:
  • PDF of PowerPoint
  • MP4 Video Link

 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.

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

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:

• dpws@mt.gov
• DEQChlorine@mt.gov

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

• Boil Water Order Public Notice MCL
• Boil Water Order Public Notice – Non MCL
• Health Advisory Public Notice MCL
• Health Advisory Public Notice – Non MCL
• Practice Fillable Form
• Health Advisory Tables Denied

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

• CCR Certification Form
• Guidelines for CCR Distribution
• CCR Notice of Availability

Lead and Copper

• Consumer Notice Certification Form of Lead Tap Water Monitoring
• Lead and Copper Consumer Notice Posting Template for Non-Community - Non-Transient Systems
• Lead and Copper Consumer Notice Letter Template for Community Systems
• Sampling Location Change
• How to Calculate 90th Percentile Values
• Lead and Copper Site Sampling Plan
• 90th Percentile Calculator (EXTERNAL LINK)
• Sampling Instructions for NTNC
• Sampling Instructions for Communities

Revised Total Coliform Rule

• Level 1 Assessment Form
• Seasonal System Checklist and Certification Form (Instructions)
• Seasonal Start-up Form
• Montana Site Sampling Plan Form
• Sample Siting Plan Guidance and Instructions

Disinfection By Products Rule

• Quarterly DBP Reporting Form (pdf)
• Change of Sampling Site for Disinfection Byproducts

Fluoride Public Notice

• Instructions for Fluoride MCL Public Notice
• Instructions for Fluoride SMCL Notice

Groundwater Chlorine Monitoring Form

• Daily Chlorine Residual Reporting Form
• Daily Chlorine Residual Reporting Form for Water Haulers

Chemical Waivers

• Chemical Waiver Form
• Asbestos Waiver Request Form

Surface Water Treatment System Report (SWTR)

• Surface Water Treatment System Instructions

Filtered System Forms:

• Single Baffle Factor Direct & Conventional Filtration MOR
• Single Baffle Factor Alternative (Membrane or Cartridge) Filtration MOR
• 2 Baffling Factor Direct & Conventional Filtration MOR
• UV Calculated Dose Approach
• UV Set Point Approach

Unfiltered System Forms

• Source Water Quality Conditions for Unfiltered Systems
• Long-Term Source Water Quality Conditions for Unfiltered Systems
• CT Determination for Surface Water Systems
• CT Compliance Report & Distribution System Disinfectant Residual Data

Consecutive Connection Systems (Surface Water Purchase)

• Daily Chlorine Residual Report Form

Water/Sewer Main and Water Supply Well Checklists

• Deviation Form A
• Fillable Deviation Form A
• Deviation Form B
• Fillable Deviation Form B
• Sample Easement Language
• GWUDISW Preliminary Assessment Form
• Well Grout Form
• 2018 Community Water Supply Well Checklist DEQ-1
• 2018 Non-Community Water Supply Well Checklist DEQ-3
• 2014 Water Main Extension and Replacement Checklist
• 2014 Sewer Main Certified Checklist

Subdivision Forms

General Subdivision Forms

• Complete Application Package (Print)
• Complete Application Package (Fillable)
• Guidance & Instructions
• Pre-Application Form (Print)
• Pre-Application Form (fillable)

Application Parts I - IV

• Application Part I - General Description & Information (Print)
• Application Part I - General Description & Information (Fillable)
• Application Part II - Required for Approval under Sanitation in Subdivisions Laws
• Application Part III - Required for Environmental Assessment under the  Subdivision & Platting Act
• Application Part IV - Subdivision Checklist (fillable)
• Application Part IV - Subdivision Checklist (Print)

Other Subdivision Forms

• Municipal Facilities Exclusion Checklist (MFE)
• Municipal Facilities Exclusion Checklist (Fillable)
• Notice of Change to Municipal or District Water & Sewer Checklist
• Notice of Change to Municipal or District Water & Sewer Checklist (Fillable)
• Significance Determination Checklist
• Subdivision Review Fee Calculation - Effective March 1, 2020
• Environmental Assessment Checklist
• Nitrate Calculation Sheet
• Nitrate Calculation Sheet - Includes option for calculating cumulative effects
• Phosphorus Calculation Sheet

Deviation Waiver Request Forms

• Deviation Form A
• Fillable Deviation Form A
• Deviation Form B
• Fillable Deviation Form B
• Public Water Supply Deviation Request

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
Chris Romankiewicz (406) 556-4514

Compliance Inspectors:

Billings Office

Dan Freeland (406) 256-7655

Bozeman Office

Chris Romankiewicz (406) 475-2138

Helena Office

Don Danesi (406) 444-6871

Missoula Office

John O'Bannon (406) 437-8333

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 3^rd 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.

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

Wendy Simons 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.

General Compliance Evaluation Inspections

Storm Water Construction Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI)

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.

Wastewater Standard Operating Procedures

• SOP and Preventative Maintenance for Aerators and Mixers in Lagoons
• Basic Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Manual
• Lift Station Maintenance
• Lock Out / Tag Out
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Requirements For Submitting Noncompliance Reporting Forms
• Sanitary Sewer Overflows
• SOP For Sampling
• On-Site Wastewater Treatment Manual
• SOP For The Laboratory
• Special Sampling and Handling Requirements
• Ground-Water Sampling Record
• Confined Space Entry Permit

Water Protection Bureau: (406) 444-5546

Compliance, Training, and Technical Assistance Section Supervisor
Chris Romankiewicz (406) 556-4514

Wastewater Technical Assistance:

Billings Office

VACANT

Helena Office

Josh Viall (406) 444-9631