Backflow Laws: Montana
Montana Backflow Prevention Laws, Regulations, and Compliance Requirements
Montana's backflow prevention requirements are established under the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Safe Drinking Water Program, with cross-connection control programs required for all public water systems. MDEQ has accepted the University of Southern California Manual of Cross-Connection Control (10th Edition) as the standard technical reference. Montana cities implement programs through local ordinances. Bozeman requires ABPA certification; Missoula Water's DEQ-approved program follows USC-FCCCHR standards. Annual testing is the universal requirement. This guide covers Montana's state framework, Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, and other major utilities.
Montana State Regulatory Framework
Montana’s backflow prevention requirements flow from the Montana Safe Drinking Water Act, administered by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) through its Public Water Supply Section. MDEQ holds EPA primacy under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. MDEQ requires all public water systems to implement cross-connection control programs, and has accepted the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USC-FCCCHR) Manual of Cross-Connection Control, 10th Edition (MCCC) as the technical standard for Montana’s cross-connection programs.
At the state level, Montana’s approach is framework-based: MDEQ establishes the requirement for cross-connection control programs and references the USC-MCCC as the technical standard, while individual cities and water systems implement programs through local ordinances. Montana Code and ‘all standards, rules and regulations of the state, the Montana Water Quality Bureau, and any other federal, state, county, or town authority’ govern installation and testing. Local governments may establish requirements more stringent than state regulations if conditions warrant.
Montana Annual Testing Requirement
Across Montana, backflow prevention devices installed pursuant to cross-connection control requirements must be inspected and tested annually, or more often if necessary. Inspections, tests, and maintenance are at the customer’s expense, by a certified tester retained and paid by the customer. All underground sprinkling (irrigation) systems must have backflow prevention devices at the point of connection to the water supply.
Montana Tester Certification
Montana does not administer a statewide backflow tester certification. Certification requirements are set locally by each water system. The most commonly accepted credentials across Montana are ABPA (American Backflow Prevention Association) and ASSE 5110. Bozeman specifically requires ABPA certification. Testers should confirm with each specific utility which credentials are accepted before performing testing in that service territory.
Montana's Local Ordinance-Driven Approach
Unlike states with centralized certification programs, Montana relies on each municipality to establish its own cross-connection control ordinance and tester approval standards. A tester approved in Billings may not automatically be approved in Missoula or Bozeman. Always confirm with each specific Montana water system that your contractor holds the correct credentials and has been accepted as an authorized tester for that utility.
Major Water Purveyors in Montana
Billings Public Works and Utilities
Billings is Montana’s largest city, serving approximately 120,000 people in Yellowstone County. Billings’ cross-connection control program requires annual testing of all covered assemblies by certified testers. All irrigation systems must have approved backflow prevention devices. Billings follows Montana Code and MDEQ standards for its cross-connection program.
Missoula Water
Missoula Water operates a cross-connection/backflow program that has been approved by Montana DEQ, summarized in Missoula’s WG.2 Cross-Connection/Backflow Protection Program document. Key elements include: backflow prevention as a condition of service for new connections; surveys of customer premises conducted on a priority basis using USC-FCCCHR Section 5 hazard classifications; and assembly type requirements based on health hazard (contaminant — RPZ) versus non-health hazard (pollutant — DCVA or other) classifications. The program applies to residential and commercial uses, fire sprinkler systems, irrigation systems, and auxiliary water sources.
City of Bozeman
Bozeman’s cross-connection control program is administered in accordance with the MCCC. The City of Bozeman requires that testers approved to test backflow preventers within the City be certified by the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) — which has adopted the procedures outlined in the MCCC. This makes Bozeman one of the few Montana municipalities with a specifically stated tester credential requirement (ABPA). Bozeman’s Water-Sewer Division administers the program.
Great Falls Water Works and Utilities
Great Falls serves Montana’s third-largest city in Cascade County. Great Falls’ cross-connection control program requires annual testing for covered commercial, industrial, and irrigation connections. Testing must be performed by certified testers accepted by Great Falls utilities.
Helena and Other Montana Communities
Helena (Lewis and Clark County), Kalispell (Flathead County), and other Montana communities each operate cross-connection programs aligned with MDEQ requirements. Small towns throughout Montana reference Montana Code and MDEQ standards in their local ordinances. West Yellowstone’s municipal code (Chapter 13.04) is a good example of a detailed Montana local ordinance requiring annual testing, certified testers at customer expense, and immediate irrigation system backflow protection.
Montana's Geographic Spread and Tester Availability
Montana’s vast geography — 147,040 square miles, the 4th largest state — means certified backflow testers may be scarce in rural areas. Property owners in eastern Montana, the Hi-Line, or other rural areas should plan testing well in advance and confirm tester availability with their specific water system. Some rural Montana systems rely on testers who travel from Billings, Missoula, or Great Falls.
Property Owner Compliance Summary for Montana
Annual testing: By a tester certified per your specific utility’s requirements (ABPA in Bozeman; confirm with your utility).
Irrigation: All underground irrigation systems require backflow prevention devices.
DEQ-approved program: For Missoula Water customers, the program is DEQ-approved; follow Missoula Water’s specific assembly and survey requirements.
Records: Inspection, test, repair records maintained and available upon request.
Find a Certified Backflow Tester in Montana
Find ABPA- or ASSE-certified testers accepted by Montana’s major utilities at getyourbackflowtested.com/backflow-testing-near-me/montana-backflow-testing — covering Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, and all Montana communities.
Montana Regulatory Reference Links
| Resource / Agency | URL / Link Target |
|---|---|
Montana DEQ — Drinking Water Rules | |
Montana DEQ — Public Water Supply Section | |
Missoula Water — Cross-Connection/Backflow Program (WG.2) | |
City of Bozeman — Backflow Prevention | |
USC-FCCCHR — Manual of Cross-Connection Control 10th Edition |