Surface Water Monitoring Mission and Functions
The Mission of Surface Water Monitoring ... is to assure that water quality is maintained and improved so that
state waters can support all their beneficial uses and to work
with the public, agencies, and other interests to evaluate,
maintain, and improve the quality of state waters.
Functions Include:
- Water quality assessment of lakes, streams & wetlands
- Identification of impaired waters & air quality non-attainment areas
- Technical assistance in development of water pollution abatement plans
(TMDLs)
- Monitoring & assessment protocols &
training
- Citizen volunteer water quality monitoring coordination
- Monitoring equipment maintenance & calibration
Authority for Section activities is provided through
the following state and federal laws:
- P.L. 92-500 -- The Federal Clean Water Act
- As amended, requires states
to monitor surface waters for toxic and conventional pollutants, to prepare
plans to control pollution, to assess water quality conditions and trends,
and to report them to EPA and Congress.
- 75-5-101, et seq., MCA -- The Montana Water Quality Act
- Requires the State
of Montana to provide a comprehensive program for the prevention, abatement,
and control of water pollution.
