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The Montana State Environmental Laboratory, is an EPA Region 8 certified laboratory, performing private well testing and Public Water Supply testing for many families, schools, cities, and towns across Montana. We work closely with State and County health officials, and Tribal Governments, in responding to water emergencies throughout the state. The Montana State Environmental Laboratory is certified to perform Metals, Nutrient, Organic, Inorganic, and Microbiological testing on water and wastewater. We routinely work with private landowners as well as local, state, and federal programs providing testing services to characterize Montana water for the beneficial use of our citizens.
News and Updates
Financial
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Reminder! Laboratory Testing Fee Increase
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The Laboratory Services Bureau (LSB) will be increasing testing fees as of January 1, 2024. Although some general funds and federal grant support do contribute to maintaining operational infrastructure for the Public Health and Environmental laboratories, the LSB is primarily a fee for service-funded operation and this is the first fee increase in approximately 5 years.
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Updated fees are reflected in the Public Health Laboratory Testing Manual and on our website.
Water Testing
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Current Fillable Forms
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Reminder for Laboratories Certified for Drinking Water Analysis in Montana
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Laboratories certified to conduct chemical or microbiological testing for drinking water are required to notify the certifying agency, the Montana State Environmental Laboratory, of any changes to personnel affecting the analysis of drinking water. Please call Russ Leu, Laboratory Manager at 406-444-5259 or send to RLeu2@mt.gov to report changes.
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Click here for more information on this Administrative Rule of Montana.
EPA Update (December 14, 2023)
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EPA Begins Process to Prioritize Five Chemicals for Risk Evaluation Under Toxic Substances Control Act
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Contact information
- Washington
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Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is beginning the process to prioritize five additional toxic chemicals for risk evaluation under the nation’s premier chemical safety law. If, during the 12-month long statutory process, EPA designates these five chemicals as High Priority Substances, EPA will then begin risk evaluations for these chemicals.
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EPA plans to prioritize the following chemicals for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA):
- Acetaldehyde (CASRN 75-07-0),
- Acrylonitrile (CASRN 107-13-1),
- Benzenamine (CASRN 62-53-3),
- 4,4’-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) (CASRN 101-14-4), and
- Vinyl Chloride (CASRN 75-01-4).
- To read more go to the EPA website news releases.
DEQ Updates
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Water Systems
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All Community and Non-Transient Non-Community water systems need to have a certified operator taking water system bacteria samples. This will be enforced by the DEQ in 2024 so please enter the Operators name and #(4-digit) on all paperwork sent to the laboratory with samples. If there are questions, please reach out to Lynnette Radonich (lradonich@mt.gov) or Grace Miller (grace.miller@mt.gov)
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Lead Service Line Inventories are due to the DEQ in the next nine months. If you have questions about the inventory, please contact the Lead and Copper Rule Managers, George Williams (George.williams@mt.gov) or Matt Schmidt (Matthew.Schmidt@mt.gov).
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Water Operators
- We have two upcoming water schools the first is in March in Bigfork and the second is in May in Billings. Click here and scroll down the page to "Upcoming Events and Training".
Laboratory Preparedness
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Drinking Water Emergency Sampling (DWES) Kits
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This kit provides components for consistent collection of water samples in the event of possible water system tampering or other potential chemical contamination. DWES kits have been distributed to all county health departments, public water supplies over 3,300 in population, Tribal Health Jurisdictions, DEQ Public Water Supply Offices, Regional HAZMAT Teams, and the 83rd National Guard Civil Support Team. Jurisdictional Public Health and Emergency Preparedness contacts maintain records of kit locations.
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In the case of a suspected Water Tampering Event: it is a requirement to call the MTPHL 1-800-821-7284, 24/7, and the DES Duty Officer 1-406-324-4777 to coordinate transportation, arrange any special handling requirements, alert any necessary medical surveillance groups, and coordinate potential state laboratory network actions. For more information on DWES kits click here.
Reminders:
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Upcoming Montana State Environmental Lab Closures:
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Courier Service
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Previous eLABorations Newsletters
- All previous eLABorations newsletters can be found on our website on the column on the left hand side by selecting "Environmental Laboratory Newsletter". Here is the link to all our previous eLABorations newsletter.
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