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Latest summary of EPA actions to ensure safe drinking water on Tribal land in Montana

Release Date: 04/15/2008
Contact Information: Barbara Burkland, 406-457-5009, [email protected] Julie DalSoglio, 406-457-5025, [email protected]


(Denver, Colo., April 15, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 issues biannual press releases for all drinking water enforcement cases that it initiated during the prior six-month period. EPA issued one emergency administrative order to a public water system on Tribal lands in Montana during the period Oct. 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008.

EPA issues an emergency order when there is a potential for imminent and substantial endangerment to public health, such as when acute contaminants have been identified in a public water system or when the water system has experienced a disruption that may endanger public health.

EPA issued an emergency administrative order on Feb. 22, 2008, to the Northern Cheyenne Utilities Commission for the Birney Water System (Lame Deer), Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation when the distribution system lost pressure. For this water system, the drinking water no longer presents an imminent threat to public health.

The SDWA establishes specific regulations to assure the safety of public drinking water.

EPA Region 8 oversees the protection of public health and the environment in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming and on Tribal lands in these states. Compliance and enforcement are important components of public health and environmental protection which encourage governments, businesses and other regulated entities to meet their environmental and public health obligations.