03/11/2026
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Health Advisory
City of Forsyth PWS ID # MT000215
Date Issued 3/11/2026
On February 25th, 2026, our water system failed to meet minimum disinfection requirements. We did not notify Montana DEQ within 48 hours after our failure to maintain disinfection, as required. We notified Montana DEQ on March 10th, as soon as we discovered our failure in disinfection. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation
In order to ensure proper disinfection, water in the treatment plant must be in contact with enough chlorine or a similar disinfectant for a minimum amount of time. On the 25th of February 2026, this did not occur. Although chlorine quickly kills most bacteria, it is less effective against organisms such as viruses and parasites. For this reason, water needs to mix with chlorine for a longer time period to kill such organisms. The amount of time necessary, or the “contact time,” depends on the amount of disinfectant in the water and the temperature of the water.
What should I do?
• If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
• If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your healthcare providers about drinking this water. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available on the EPA Ground Water and Drinking Water Website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water.
What does this mean?
*Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.*
These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in drinking water, but also by other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.
What is being done?
Our treatment facility was providing disinfection on the 25th of February, but minimum disinfection requirements were not met. We have changed our operational and DEQ notification procedures to ensure we meet minimum disinfection and reporting requirements.
Since the 25th of February, disinfection at our treatment plant has met minimum requirements.
For more information, please contact [Taylor Hallman] at [406-351-1426] or [P.O. Box 226 Forsyth MT, 59327].
*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*
This notice is being sent to you by the city of Forsyth. State Water System ID #: MT0000215
Date distributed: _3/11/2026_____.
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