DEQ Issues Lakeside County Water & Sewer District Permit

• April 28 2025

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a final Montana Ground Water Pollution Control System (MGWPCS) permit, Environmental Assessment (EA) and Fact Sheet for Lakeside County Water & Sewer District (LCSWD) in Lakeside, Montana. 

Before making a decision on the permit, DEQ accepted public comments for more than 60 days and held a public hearing on Feb. 27 in Lakeside to collect oral and written public comment. DEQ also met and consulted with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on March 20. DEQ values public comment as an important part of the review process to ensure the agency has all necessary information to make an informed decision. The final permit package includes DEQ’s responses to substantive comments received during the public comment period. 

LCWSD applied to DEQ for the permit because the existing wastewater system is nearing capacity and in need of expansion and improved treatment. The permit meets the standards of the Montana Water Quality Act and allows LCWSD to discharge treated wastewater into state ground water. The EA addresses the MEPA requirements for the discharge permit and Phase 1 engineering plans for LCWSD to update and expand the wastewater treatment facility to accept, treat, and handle wastewater. Treated wastewater is subject to discharge permit limitations and conditions designed to protect the ground water and downgradient state waters.  

To complete the expansion, LCWSD will need to apply for and receive DEQ approval of the remaining engineering upgrades. 

Permit information can be found on DEQ’s website.