Program Overview
Source Water Delineation and Assessment
DEQ conducts Source Water Assessments (also known as Source Water Delineation and Assessment Reports) that analyze existing and potential threats to the drinking water of public water supplies.
Each Source Water Assessment includes four major elements:
1. Identify the Source(s) of Water used by Public Water Systems
Source water protection areas are delineated for ground water and surface water sources. This technical process considers characteristics of the aquifer or watershed and the public water system intake. It then identifies the land area that contributes recharge to the hydrologic or hydrogeologic system above or upgradient from the public water system well or intake structure. These protection areas are part of a source water delineation and assessment report (SWDAR) and are shown graphically on a map. Check out examples of completed reports on the Internet
2. Identify and Inventory Potential Contaminant Sources
Potential contaminant sources within the source water protection area are identified and described in the assessment report. Regulated contaminants of concern in Montana include nitrate, microbial contaminants, and certain fuels, solvents, herbicides, pesticides, and metals. Potential contaminants sources include septic systems, animal feeding operations, underground storage tanks, floor drains and sumps, and certain land use activities.
3. Assess the Susceptibility of Public Water Systems to Potential Contaminant Sources
A susceptibility assessment consists of evaluating the setting of the well or intake and the relative hazard posed by potential contaminant sources. A determination of relative susceptibility for each significant potential contaminant source identified within the source water protection area will be in the assessment report.
4. Make Results of the Delineation and Assessment Available to the Public
Source water assessments must be made available to the public; this is accomplished by completing a technical report that addresses items one through three above. Various media are used to distribute the reports including the Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Internet site, state library, and excerpts in the consumer confidence reports.
Review Source Water Assessment Reports
Source Water Delineation and Assessment Form Instructions:
Contacts
Public Water Supply Bureau
Main Number (406) 444-4400
Program Support Specialist
Jim Sutliff (406) 444-0490
Public Water Supply (PWS) systems are required to submit their source water protection plans to DEQ for review and certification. In order to be certified, a source water protection plan must include all information required by the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP) including susceptibility assessments.
DEQ reviews certified source water protection plans at five-year intervals when updated contaminant source inventories are due. Five-year updates of previously-certified plans will include susceptibility assessments for each new identified potential contaminant source and each active water source. Susceptibility to all potential contaminant sources must be assessed for sources of water that were put in use within the previous five years.
Required Information for Source Water Protection Plans:
- Description of the characteristics of the community, public water supply, and water source.
- List of the key individuals and groups that participated in decision making and those who will implement the Source Water Protection Plan.
- Current information on construction of wells or surface water intakes including recent sanitary survey information and maintenance records.
- Well yield and a well log for groundwater sources.
- Engineering drawing of the water intake for surface water sources.
- Methods, criteria, and sources of information used to delineate source water protection areas.
- Map showing locations of water intakes and boundaries of source water protection areas.
- Contaminant source inventory of the source water protection areas in proper format for inclusion in a statewide database.
- Susceptibility assessment for each combination of significant contaminant source and water intake.
- Management options chosen including a copy of any ordinances adopted.
- Statement of the goals of management actions and a time frame for implementation and evaluation.
- Emergency response plan.
- Information necessary to evaluate applications for waivers of monitoring or filtration requirements.
Certification is provided by letter following review to ensure the source water protection plan meets the requirements of the Montana Source Water Protection Program and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
Local water quality districts are formed by county governments. Legislation describes district organization and specifies the authorities that can be exercised at the local level. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality provides support to local water quality district programs but does not have an active management role in their activities. Districts have been formed in Missoula, Lewis & Clark, Silver Bow, and Gallatin Counties. These groups serve as local government districts with a governing board of directors, and funding obtained from fees collected annually with county taxes, similar to funding mechanisms for other county districts.
Local Water Quality Districts