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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
Water Testing
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The Manganese Project for Public Water Supplies in Montana is continuing.
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Manganese has become a hot topic around the US as the EPA works to determine the prevalence in drinking water throughout the country. Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and air. It is commonly found in the food we eat—including nuts, legumes, seeds, grains, and green leafy vegetables—and in drinking water. Our bodies require small amounts of manganese to stay healthy. Although manganese is an essential nutrient at low doses, chronic exposure to high doses may be harmful.
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The DPHHS State Environmental Laboratory will be working with the DEQ on receiving and analyzing the samples. If your system has not sampled, you will be required to test by the end of November 2024.
- For those PWS that have not received bottles for sampling
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Stay on the lookout for a letter from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). You will receive a letter ONLY if your system has not sampled for Mn.
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The Department of Public Health and Human Services Laboratory (DPHHS) will send necessary sample bottle(s) in the weeks following the letter, for each of your active sources.
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Please follow the instructions on the form included with the bottle(s). Return the bottle(s) and form in the prepaid/pre-addressed container to DPHHS through the United States Postal Service at PO Box 4369, Helena, MT, 59604.
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Results will be reported to your system and to the DEQ.
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Follow-up will take place from the DEQ if the EPA health advisory level of 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L) is exceeded.
- Thanks for all your work to ensure that families get safe drinking water from your Public Water Supply.
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Consumer Confidence Reports
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We are doing Consumer Confidence Reports for 2023. The charge is $75.00, per report. Call the Environmental Lab and let us know if you want us to do it or return the white form that was included in your February bottle order. We will try to get them back to you by June 1. DEQ requires CCR to be returned to them by July 1.
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Please Call Russ Leu, Environmental Laboratory Supervisor, (406-444-5259) with any questions.
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Has your Private well been affected by flooding?
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If your well has been covered by floodwaters, the drinking water is not safe to drink. Floodwaters may contain fecal material and other contaminants that may now be in your well water. During a flood, obtain water from a safe water supply, such as bottled water. Once the floodwaters have receded, shock chlorinate and flush your well. Have your water tested for bacteria 7-10 days following disinfection to be sure it is safe to drink. See https://www.epa.gov/privatewells/what-do-your-private-well-after-flood for more information and give us a call to request testing supplies.
EPA Update
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New steps to protect Communities from PFAS and other Emerging Chemicals of Concern.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the latest efforts to protect communities and the environment from the health risks posed by certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals that break down very slowly over time, and they have been used in many different consumer, commercial and industrial products. Scientific studies show that some PFAS exposure is linked to harmful health effects. EPA is proposing two rules that would add to the agency’s comprehensive approach to tackling PFAS pollution across the country. These proposals will also help deliver on President Biden’s agenda to better protect public health and advance environmental justice.
- For the full article click here.
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EPA WaterTA Program
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EPA's free Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) services support communities to identify water challenges, develop plans, build technical, managerial, and financial capacity, and develop application materials to access water infrastructure funding. To implement WaterTA, EPA collaborates with states, Tribes, territories, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
- For more information on WaterTA program click here.
DEQ Updates
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Water Systems
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The Montana Water and Wastewater Operators Initiative (MW2OI) is offering the 2024 Spring Water School May 14 – 16, 2024 in Billings. If your operators plan on taking the exam at the end of the school, they need to submit their application 30 days prior to the exam date and submit the exam sign up form to OperatorCertification@mt.gov. Please let your operators know.
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Don’t forget, only certified operators with an operator # may collect total coliform samples for C & NTNC systems.
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Just a reminder Continuing Education Credits (CECs) are due May 31, 2024. It will be here before you know it. To find out how many CEC’s an operator has you can find out on our website! https://svc.mt.gov/deq/operatorcectotal/
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Congress has allocated funding to address Emerging Contaminants in drinking water. The funding can be used for sampling and treatment of emerging contaminants (ECs). ECs are chemicals or materials characterized by a perceived, potential, or real threat to human health or the environment or by a lack of published health standards. A contaminant also may be "emerging" because of the discovery of a new source or a new pathway to humans. Emerging Contaminants can be found in pharmaceuticals, fragrances, fire retardants, detergents, insecticides, and industrial chemicals. ECs that Montana will be primarily focusing on are PFOA/PFOS and Manganese. Information about ECS and how to apply for funding can be found at: https://deq.mt.gov/water/Programs/dw-rules. Questions and comments can be sent to emergingcont@mt.gov.
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CMDP will be implemented by all labs this year. DEQ will be reaching out to labs to walk through the transition. If you have any questions contact Lynnette Radonich at lradonich@mt.gov.
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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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