GROUNDWATER PROTECTION

PROGRAMTECHNICAL SERVICES

BUREAU

WESTERNREGIONSPESTICIDEMEETING

MAY 2007

Montana’s Program

The MDA maintains 42 permanent monitoring wells throughout the state.

Additionally, a special project area is chosen each year that incorporates urban, suburban, and rural sites. Generally 25-30 ground and surface water samples are taken twice during the use season.

Montana’s Program cont.

Total number of analytes– MDA tests each sample for 102

pesticides

In 2006:– 136 groundwater samples collected– 20 surface water samples collected– 3 sediment samples collected– 15,912 analyses for pesticides,

degradates and nitrates were performed

Montana’s Program cont.

• In 2007:– Increase sediment testing for

pyrethroids

– Continue to incorporate surface water sampling into the program

– Sample surface waters after heavy rains, to evaluate pesticide runoff from dryland cropping systems.

Implementation of

Grant Guidance

Three-Step Water Quality Measure

52 of the 58 pesticides on the State List of Pesticides of Water Quality Interest are considered Pesticides of Interest in Montana.

Montana has determined, through evaluation of monitoring results, that none of the Pesticides of Interest are Pesticides of Concern at this time.

1.Evaluate

2. Take Action

Specific Management Plans≥50% of drinking water standard

Educational Outreach< 50% of drinking water standard

3. Demonstrate Progress

Evaluate the success of actions through time:―ground and surface water

monitoring ―assess behavioral changes

Adjust actions if necessary to achieve mitigation.

Region 8 Trends

Refinement of our knowledge:

• Colorado—conducting county level pesticide use surveys

• Wyoming and North Dakota—prioritizing increased surface water sampling

Region 8 Trends, cont.

Making our knowledge useful to others:

• Utah—making gw vulnerability information available to planners and developers

• Colorado—created a webpage for the public to access gw monitoring data

Challenges Ahead

• Drinking water standards– If they are not available, states cannot

determine if the pesticide presents a human health risk.

• Inclusion of degradates in evaluations

• Evaluating the effects of pesticides on Aquatic Organisms

• Funding, staffing, laboratory capabilities

• Keeping the Pesticides of Interest List updated