Most Montana cities have rescinded water restrictions, after mid-month rains provided relief for their water treatment plants. As part of their general oversight duties, the Water Policy Interim Committee is tracking how cities and towns are coping with the state’s deep drought.
Four of Montana’s seven major cities instituted water restrictions this summer (see table at right), and nearly all have ended those restrictions. The state has nearly 2,200 public water systems. Groundwater wells and stream diversions provide most of the irrigation in Montana.
WPIC will hear an update of the state’s water supply at their next meeting, Oct. 12-13. October is the end of the state’s water year, as snowpack typically begins to accumulate in the mountains to feed next year’s stream flows.
| City | Restriction | Duration and outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | No lawn watering on Mondays for all residential, business, or government properties, including parks within city limits served by city of Billings or Heights water districts. | In effect from Aug. 2-Aug. 23. Water use on Monday decreased 40 percent; overall decreased 10 percent. |
| Bozeman | Limit on law-watering to 2 days a week and not between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Drought surcharges effective Aug. 1. | Reduced water use about 20 percent after July 16 effective date. City downgraded drought status on Aug. 30, ending watering restrictions. |
| Butte-Silver Bow | Every-other day watering, but possible fines, fees, and loss of watering privileges. | N/a |
| Great Falls | ||
| Helena | Every-other day lawn and irrigation restrictions, excepting gardens meant for human consumption. | In effect from July 1-Aug. 25, restrictions reduced need for treated water to less than 12 million gallons a day in July and 9.5 million gallons a day in August. |
| Kalispell | None | |
| Missoula | None |
