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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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Expansion Update
- Our laboratory remodel is progressing nicely. We are seeing improvements every week. As this project continues we are having to send out some of the analyses we normally do in house. Due to this our discounted prices are unavailable. Please take a look at our updated "Blue sample Submission Sheet" for private customers.
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Montana Water Information System
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The Water Information System (WIS) is the starting point for finding water resources information in Montana, such as data on surface water, groundwater, water quality, riparian areas, wetlands, water rights, climate data and more. The WIS makes high quality water information, including GIS data, interactive applications, maps, and water-related links discoverable to the public from one common starting place.
EPA and DEQ Updates
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Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
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On October 8th, the EPA issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them.
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Lead in drinking water irreparably harms the health of children and adults and disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and communities of color. Legacy lead pipes, which have delivered drinking water to homes for decades, have exposed generations of Americans to toxic lead and will continue to do so until they are removed.
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There is no safe level of lead exposure. In drinking water, the primary source of lead is from pipes, which can present a risk to the health of children and adults. EPA is committed to using every tool available to protect all Americans from lead in drinking water. EPA proposed then finalized the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to strengthen the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). First promulgated in 1991, the LCR regulates lead and copper in public drinking water systems.
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Funding opportunities-
- Learn about $2.6 billion from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
- Apply for $35 million from the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN)
- For more information visit the web pages below.
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Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs) in Water Bodies
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Certain environmental conditions in water bodies can intensify algae growth, causing algal blooms. Blooms with the potential to harm human health or aquatic ecosystems are referred to as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). HABs can produce toxins that present a risk to people, animals, aquatic ecosystems, the economy, drinking water supplies, property values, commercial and industrial fishing, and recreational activities like swimming.
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How do I spot a HAB? HABs can resemble:
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EPA Information
- Montana DEQ - Where to Report these (HABs)
 Reminders:
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Online Payments
- Online payments now require an account to be created before payment can be made. If you do not want to create an account to pay your invoice online please reach out to our billing office at 406-444-2642 to pay your invoice. Credit/Debit card information will be required over the phone as well as phone number, billing address and an email address to send the receipt to. Remember a small fee is charged for paying with a credit/debit card. If you decide not to pay invoices with a credit/debit card we are still accepting payment by check and that can be mailed to:
- DPHHS – Laboratory
PO Box 4369
1400 Broadway Room B206
Helena, MT 59604-4369
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Upcoming Montana State Environmental Lab Closures:
- Independence Day: July 4th, 2025 (Friday)
- Courier will not run this day.
- Labor Day: September 1st, 2025 (Monday)
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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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