The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is inviting public comment on the state’s 2022-2024 Draft Water Quality Integrated Report and a new pH Assessment Method for Streams and Rivers. In addition, DEQ has opened a call for data and surface water assessment requests for the next integrated report cycle, which will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2026. Comments and requests will be accepted through Jan. 13, 2026.
The integrated report evaluates the condition and trends of Montana’s streams and lakes, examines groundwater contaminants, assesses the safety of drinking water, and measures the extent to which waters support their designated uses—including drinking water, recreation, fishing, irrigation, and industrial purposes. The new pH assessment method is intended to provide added guidance for evaluating the aquatic life beneficial use of rivers and streams. DEQ will consider public feedback in preparing final versions of the documents for EPA approval. Draft materials are available on the DEQ website.
As part of its work, DEQ determines whether state surface waters meet applicable water quality standards. Waters that fail to meet these standards for certain characteristics are deemed impaired and are added to Montana’s list of impaired waters in the integrated report.
To maximize program efficiency, DEQ focuses monitoring resources on areas most at risk for pollution, helping to identify where Clean Water Act restoration funding should be prioritized. DEQ emphasizes that while the integrated report provides a valuable overview of assessed waterbodies, the impaired waters list and associated data do not represent all Montana waters, but rather those with the highest potential risk for contamination.
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.