DEQ Requests Public Comment on Water Quality Integrated Report Documents and Opens Requests for Future Data and Assessment

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking public comment on Montana’s 2022-2024 Draft Water Quality Integrated Report and a pH Assessment Method for Streams and Rivers in Montana. Additionally, DEQ is opening a call for data and surface water assessment requests for the next integrated report cycle, scheduled for submittal to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2026. Public comments on the report and assessment method, as well as requests for data and assessment, will be accepted until Jan. 13, 2026.  

 

The integrated report provides an analysis of the condition and trends of Montana's streams and lakes, contaminants found in groundwater, the safety of drinking water and the degree to which waters support their designated uses, such as drinking water, recreation, fishing, irrigation, industry, and others. The pH assessment method will be used as added guidance to assess the aquatic life beneficial use for rivers and streams in Montana. DEQ will use the feedback to prepare the final documents for submittal to the EPA for approval. The draft documents can be found on DEQ’s website.  

 

DEQ assesses whether state surface waters are meeting applicable water quality standards for specific water quality characteristics. If a waterbody is determined to have characteristics that impact its designated uses, DEQ considers the waterbody impaired and adds it to Montana’s list of impaired waters in the water quality integrated report.  

 

DEQ focuses water quality monitoring resources in areas that are at risk of showing pollutant problems for programmatic efficiency to identify where Clean Water Act restoration funding should be focused. The impaired waters list, data and statistics are influenced by the targeted approach. While the integrated report offers valuable summary information about assessed waterbodies, the impaired waters list, data and statistics presented in the report should not be considered fully representative of all Montana waters, only those at highest potential risk for pollution. 

 

To view the 2022-2024 Draft Water Quality Integrated Report and pH Assessment Method for Streams and Rivers in Montana or to submit public comment, a request for data or assessment request, visit DEQ’s website.