City of Billings Takes on Multiple Infrastructure Challenges with Integrated Water Planning

The City of Billings, Montana (pop 105,000) is facing many water management challenges. First, their discharge permit from their central wastewater treatment plant to the Yellowstone River is due for renewal, three major local industries have asked for connection to City sewer service, and multiple Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are scheduled for development on the Yellowstone River. Second, their drinking water treatment facility is nearing capacity. Third, the City is facing new storm water quality regulations from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) as part of its Phase 2 MS4 program. Rather than handle these issues independently, the City chose to look at these issues together and contemplate ways the water-related utilities could work together to meet multiple objectives.