HELENA—The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking projects related to updating or mitigating lead service lines in public water supplies.

"Updating or mitigating lead service lines can be costly, that's why DEQ wants to maximize federal funding and get dollars into our Montana communities," said Lindsey Krywaruchka, DEQ's water quality division administrator.

The state of Montana could receive up to $28 million in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency for lead service lines. Funding will be available via loans and loan forgiveness. In order to receive the funding, DEQ must have a list of projects that relate to preparing a service line inventory, planning for replacement or mitigation, or replacement activities. Projects do not need to be "shovel ready" or approved but should include estimates on the project scope and costs.

"Finding and replacing lead service lines in Montana is important to protecting public health and reducing the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water," said EPA Region 8 Water Division Director Darcy O'Connor. "Using funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Montana will be able to significantly enhance efforts to deliver clean drinking water to communities across the State."

The funding opportunity applies to all community public water systems such as cities, towns, subdivisions and trailer parks—as well as schools and businesses that serve the same 25 people for at least six months.

The federal government is requiring applicable public water supplies complete an inventory of lead service lines. Exposure to lead in drinking water can occur through lead pipes and there is no safe level of lead. The amount of lead service lines in the State of Montana is not fully known. Public water supplies must complete their inventory by October 2024.

While the inventory is required, applying for funding is not a requirement. If public water supplies would like to apply for project funding, they must submit a project form by Nov. 30, 2022.

For more information and to submit a project form, please visit: https://deq.mt.gov/water/programs/dw-leadandcopper#accordion1-collapse7