US EditionMontana State Prison Water Back to 'Normal Use,' Corrections Department Says
Montana State Prison ended a three-week water emergency caused by aging infrastructure with new water tests confirming safety, prompting a $21 million replacement plan.
- Sunday, Montana State Prison near Deer Lodge received clearance from state environmental officials to resume normal water operations after a three-week emergency.
- The crisis began last month when Montana Department of Corrections officials found multiple leaks in aging water infrastructure after water samples taken Oct. 27-28 showed acceptable results.
- Agencies and the National Guard deployed bottled water, portable toilets, temporary showers, dry shower kits and hand-washing stations while additional testing on Nov. 1 confirmed water safety and DEQ rescinded the boil-water advisory after Oct. 27-28 samples.
- The 2025 Montana Legislature allocated $21 million through House Bill 5 to fund new water infrastructure, while the Department of Environmental Quality will review designs and crews install flow meters and supply lines as contractors map a broader overhaul.
- Brian Gootkin, Montana Department of Corrections Director, said `This outcome is the result of a tremendous group effort` as DOC staff collaborate with Sletten Construction, DLR Group, and the Montana Department of Administration's Architecture and Engineering team to develop plans.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Daily Montanan
DOC says samples show water safe at Montana State Prison
Last month members of the Montana Air National Guard set up a portable shower unit outside on the low security side of Montana State Prison. (DOC photo)The Montana Department of Corrections said in a press release that samples taken in some areas of Montana State Prison “demonstrated the water is safe for consumption.” The Department of Environmental Quality tested water in the prison’s Food Factory and the high-security and low-security dining …
ABC FOX Montana
Montana State Prison resumes normal water use after advisory lifted
MONTANA – The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has given Montana State Prison (MSP) the green light to resume normal water use across all areas of the facility. This decision follows the rescinding of a boil water advisory in…
Montana State Prison water system fully restored after outage
DEER LODGE The Montana State Prison received clearance from state environmental officials Sunday to resume normal water operations throughout the facility, ending a week-long water emergency that disrupted operations and prompted an extensive emergency response.The Montana Department of Environmental Quality rescinded the final boil water advisory for the prison's F Unit after water samples taken on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 showed acceptable results.…
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