PUBLIC NOTICE: Montana DEQ Notice of Failure to Monitor for Total Coliform Bacteria: Samples Negative and No Public Impact

On November 9, 2022, Montana VA received notice from Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that Montana VA Medical Center was in violation of the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) 17.38.215 for failure to monitor total coliform bacteria for September 2022.  Under this rule, the public water supply must be monitored monthly for total coliform bacteria and report the results to DEQ.  

Montana VA Medical Center conducted the required monitoring for the month of September but samples were not provided to DEQ within the required timeframe.  However, samples were negative for coliform bacteria and there is no impact to the public.  The same day that notice was given by DEQ (Nov. 9, 2022), Montana VA Medical Center received confirmation from DEQ that Montana VA is now back in compliance since the October 2022 results were submitted and received on time.