Gallatin City-County

Health Code Update

Gallatin County regulates wastewater treamtent systems through its Health Code. All wastewater regulations use standards based on proven technology for the siting, design, construction, installation, and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems and are adopted to assist with the proper treatment and disposal of wastewater to reduce potential public health hazards and protect the environment.

With over 19,000 septic systems in Gallatin County, septic proliferation is a growing concern. The Lower Gallatin Watershed Total Max Daily Load Report (TMDL), developed by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, identifies subsurface wastewater disposal as a significant contributor of nutrient loading to our rivers and streams. In the Lower Gallatin Watershed, 11 water bodies are designated impaired for their beneficial uses due to nitrogen, and recently, the Environmental Protection Agency approved an impairment designation for the Upper Gallatin due to excessive algal growth. Strengthening regulations for individual wastewater treatment systems can decrease the cumulative impact of these systems on our water resources.

Update on Health Code Adoption

The Gallatin County Commission adopted the new Health Code in March of 2025. A major update was the includion of a Nutrient Reduction Strategy – this includes community impact on surface water and ground water, nitrogen reducing technology, and revising regulations on septic systems. Revisions were adopted for existing sources, new sources, and will help incentivize for existing system upgrades. This includes the requirement for all new septic systems to treat more nitrate so it is discharged at a lower level.