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eLABorations
Montana Environmental Laboratory Newsletter
Updates from the MT Laboratory Services Bureau
800-821-7284
Lab Website
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Employee Highlight
Kristine DeVault is our newest chemist with the environmental laboratory team. Originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, Kristine graduated from the University of Montana and began her laboratory career in 2010. In addition to working in environmental laboratories for over 15 years, she has more recently worked in and with public water systems. This has allowed her to combine her laboratory analytical knowledge with an understanding of public drinking water suppliers and the challenges they face.
She has three young boys, one of whom wants to grow up to be a scientist like his mom, one who is an amazing artist, and the youngest, who wants to be The Incredible Hulk. Some of the things she and her family enjoy are camping, swimming, vacationing, reading, listening to music, or watching movies.
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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.
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News and Updates
Construction Update
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State Environmental Laboratory Construction
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The remodel at the State Environmental Laboratory is nearing completion. Our updated facility, which features improved HVAC systems, expanded laboratory space, and new equipment, is scheduled to be finished by the end of April 2026. Once completed, we will begin phasing in our instruments as validations are finalized.
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We appreciate our customers' patience throughout this long-awaited construction project, and we are excited to provide new and enhanced services. Our expanded laboratory space will be state-of-the-art, equipped with modern technology and increased capacity to better serve both public water supplies and private customers. We look forward to announcing an Open House when we move back into the laboratory, and we hope to see you there!
Water Testing
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Montana Rural Water Association
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It was wonderful to see many of you at the Montana Rural Water Annual Conference in Billings. This event successfully brought together water and wastewater professionals from all over the state for training, networking, and updates on the industry. Thank you to everyone who visited our booth. For more information about the services offered by the State Environmental Laboratory, please visit our website at Environmental Laboratory.
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Has your private well been affected by flooding?
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While many areas in Montana experienced minimal snowfall, some regions received significant amounts, which could lead to potential flooding of private wells. If your private well has been submerged in floodwaters at any time, the water should be considered unsafe to drink.
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Floodwaters may contain fecal matter and other contaminants that can taint your well water. During a flood, obtain water from a safe source, such as bottled water. After the floodwaters have receded, be sure to shock chlorinate and flush your well. It's also important to have your water tested for bacteria 7 to 10 days after disinfection to ensure it is safe to drink. See https://www.epa.gov/privatewells/what-do-your-private-well-after-flood for more information.
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If you have any questions or need testing supplies, feel free to call us at 800-821-7284
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New Method: Total Organic Carbon
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The State Environmental Laboratory will soon be offering a new test for detecting total or dissolved organic carbon (TOC) in water and quantifying its concentration. Testing for TOC is essential for assessing the quality of water. TOC itself does not pose a health risk, but high levels of TOCs can indicate the presence of harmful organic contaminants, which can pose health risks to consumers and the environment.
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For facilities that discharge pollutants, such as wastewater treatment plants or industrial factories, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requires TOC testing to be reported. Most drinking water treatment plants that use surface water also need to monitor TOC in raw water and finished water.
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For more information on Montana Drinking Water Rules, please visit Drinking Water Rules | Montana DEQ
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Wildfire-Can it affect my water quality?
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We often think of air pollution as the primary health risk during wildfire season, but wildfires can also threaten our drinking water. The ash and debris produced by large wildfires can wash into nearby surface water, increasing nutrient levels and potentially leading to algae blooms, as well as elevated nitrates and other naturally occurring chemicals in ponds and streams. These contaminants can enter treatment plants, posing additional risks.
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Groundwater can also become affected by fires. When the ground is burnt, it can become more porous and lose its ability to filter water effectively. This allows more bacteria and chemicals to seep into groundwater wells, leading to contamination.
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During wildfires, especially in mountainous regions like western Montana, much of the ground cover that typically absorbs and partially filters water runoff can be destroyed. This destruction enables contaminants to be carried into surface water sources such as streams, rivers, and lakes.
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For more information on how wildfires can threaten drinking water, please check the link below to an interesting article.
- Montana State professor studies how wildfires can threaten drinking water quality
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:
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Memorial Day May 25th, 2026 (Monday)
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Independence Day July 4th, 2026 (Friday)
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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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