DEQ Greenlights Lakeside County Wastewater Upgrade

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a comprehensive permit to the Lakeside County Water & Sewer District (LCWSD), enabling a significant upgrade and expansion of their wastewater treatment facilities in Lakeside, Montana. The permit issuance followed an extensive public review process, including a public hearing and consultation with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

The issued permit includes a final Montana Ground Water Pollution Control System (MGWPCS) license, accompanied by an Environmental Assessment (EA) and detailed Fact Sheet. These documents collectively outline the measures LCWSD will undertake to ensure compliance with the Montana Water Quality Act, ultimately protecting the state’s groundwater and adjacent waters.

Prior to finalizing their decision, the DEQ conducted a 60-day public comment period and hosted a public hearing on February 27, 2025, in Lakeside. The agency also engaged in discussions with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on March 20, underlining the importance of diverse stakeholder involvement in environmental decision-making. According to the DEQ, public feedback is critical in forming a well-rounded and informed permit decision.

The LCWSD sought the permit as the current wastewater infrastructure approaches its capacity. The permit will allow LCWSD to effectively manage and treat increased volumes of wastewater. Highlights of the project based on the EA include:

• Compliance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) for discharge permits.
• Phase 1 engineering plans to update and expand wastewater treatment capability.
• Limitations and conditions designed specifically to safeguard groundwater and downstream waterways from contamination.

Further engineering plans will need DEQ approval as LCWSD proceeds with the next phases of infrastructure enhancement. For more information about the permitting process, residents and interested parties can refer to DEQ’s official website.