Wastewater Systems
Check out this important Public Service Message:
Please, remember- NO WIPES DOWN THE PIPES!
Have a concern or a question? Let us know with convenient online reporting & request forms:
Contact Us | Education Outreach & Facility Tours Request | Water Quality Concern Reporting
System Overview
Water / Wastewater Master Plan | Water Reclamation Facility PPT
Certified operators and laboratory personnel oversee the entire Wastewater System and processes 24 hours per day, every day of the year. This steadfast commitment ensures that our systems always exceed the requirements set by regulatory bodies for operations and discharge.
The Public Works Department staffs a State Certified Laboratory responsible for testing and monitoring water quality. Testing is performed throughout the entire reclamation processes to ensure that the reclaimed water causes no harm to our environment.
The City of Billings wastewater reclamation and sanitary sewer system consists of the state of the art Wastewater Reclamation Facility, 483 miles of sanitary sewer main, and eleven sewer lift stations.
Septic Tank and Grease Trap Waste
Be sure your waste is being properly and legally disposed, use a licensed area hauler. Appointments for disposal must be made in advance by calling The Wastewater Reclamation Facility at (406) 657-8356.
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Utilities Service Center
Physical Address
2251 Belknap Avenue
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: 406-657-8315
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday
8 am to 5 pm
After Hours Emergencies:
406-657-8353
Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Overview
All food service establishments that are connected to public sewers must have an approved grease system, such as grease traps, interceptors and other devices that keep fats, oils, grease (FOG) and food debris out of sewer pipes.FOG is a problem for food service establishments, as FOG can buildup and clog sewer pipes and cause costly overflows and backups within businesses. It is bad for business and bad for public health and the environment.
When fats, oils or grease (FOG) enter the sewer lines, it cools, solidifies and sticks to the insides of the pipes, trapping food particles and other debris. Over time, this mass continues to grow until it obstructs the flow of wastewater and causes sewage to back up.
Additional Information
Additional information is located in the City’s FOG Brochure at Fats, Oils, and Grease BookletIT’S THE LAW
Section 26-604 of the Billings Municipal City Code (BMCC) specifies that unless prior written authorization is provided by the city, it is unlawful to discharge or cause to be discharged into the waste disposal station any industrial wastes, radioactive wastes, corrosive wastes, explosive mixtures, unpolluted waters, petroleum oils, mineral oils, non-biodegradable cutting oils, chemical wastes, toxic or poisonous substances, float-able fats, wax and grease.FOG Survey
Kitchen Best Management Practices
Do’s | Don’ts |
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Wastewater Reclamation Facility History
In 1945, the first steps were taken to provide for the treatment of the City of Billings wastewater. Subsequently, a 15 million gallon per day (MGD) treatment plant was constructed, and was placed in service in 1950. In the early 1970s, the treatment plant was enlarged to provide both primary and secondary treatment for an average wastewater flow of 26 MGD and a maximum flow of 40 MGD.
The Activated Sludge Process The City’s wastewater treatment plant is designed to receive 33,000 pounds per day of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and 42,000 pounds per day of total suspended solids (TSS).
Unit processes utilized at the City’s treatment plant includes:
- Screening
- Grit removal
- Primary and secondary clarification
- Disinfection
- Dissolved air flotation of waste activated sludge
- Gravity thickening of primary sludge
- Anaerobic digestion followed by centrifuge de-watering
The complete-mix mode of the activated sludge biological process is utilized for secondary treatment. The bio-solids, screenings, and grit are buried at the City’s sanitary landfill on a daily basis. The effluent of the City’s wastewater treatment plant is discharged into the Yellowstone River just downstream of the U.S. 87 E. Highway bridge.
Recent Upgrade Earns ACEC Award
ACEC (American Council of Engineering Companies) of Montana presented the City of Billings Nutrient Upgrade, Expansion and Improvements project with the 2023 Engineering Excellence Grand Project Award for allowing the transformation of the $250M new secondary treatment facility design into a $65M revitalization of the existing facility.
Regulations
- City of Billings Rules and Regulations Governing Water and Wastewater Service (PDF)
- Federal Safe Drinking Water Act
- Administrative Rules of Montana
On-Site Laboratory
The wastewater treatment plant has an on-site laboratory that is capable of performing nearly all permit required testing as well as process control samples.
Laboratory Technicians Perform Specialized Test Procedures on Wastewater Samples
Reports
Each month, we submit a detailed report to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality documenting our compliance with all applicable regulations. We publish a monthly water quality report for the Yellowstone River, which is our water source.
Access the current water quality data:
Permits
Under its Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permit, the City is required to provide secondary treatment to all collected wastewater prior to discharging into the Yellowstone River, as well as meet the MPDES permit requirements for e-coli bacteria, pH, grease, total chlorine residual and effluent toxicity.
The plant also holds permits issued by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Permits for stormwater discharges, bio-solids disposal, and air emissions generated from the methane burning generator.
Wastewater Charges
The current rates and fees were adopted by the City Council on May 24, 2021 and became effective July 1, 2021.
View Resolution 21-10953 (PDF).
The wastewater rate structure consists of two components:
- The monthly service charge based on the size of the meter.
- A volume charge that is based on the amount of wastewater created. This metric is reflective of the 4 tier rate structure utilized for water service rates.
The City of Billings regularly reviews the water and wastewater rates to determine whether the current rates are generating adequate revenue to cover the cost of providing safe drinking water and wastewater services to the entire community. Safe drinking water and reliable infrastructure is a priority for the City in order to accommodate current needs and future growth.
Wastewater Monthly Volume Charges
Customer Class | Rate per 1,000 Gallon (kGal) Effective 7/1/23 | Rate per 1,000 Gallon (kGal) Effective 7/1/24 |
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Residential (in & outside the City) | $5.41 | $5.75 |
Large Residential | $5.41 | $5.75 |
Commercial - Domestic Strength | $5.41 | $5.75 |
Rate Adjustments
Billings Public Works may propose an increase to existing rates when necessary. These changes would be reflected in the fixed monthly minimum charges and the volume charges for water and wastewater, private fire protection, permit and other miscellaneous special fees.
The rate adjustments are needed to cover the increasing cost of service due to community growth and increased utilization. Providing for necessary future improvements and facility expansion to accommodate the needs of the community is also a consideration when rate changes are requested.
Service Request
To request service or make changes to your account please call our service center at 406-657-8315.