Backflow Tester List

State rules

Montana

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality public-water-supply program explains cross-connections in Administrative Rules of Montana Title 17, chapter 38, subchapter 3. The drinking-water rules page says backflow into a public water system can make the water unusable or unsafe, and that suppliers should take reasonable precautions, often by using backflow prevention. ARM 17.38.305 says a cross-connection on a public water supply must be eliminated by disconnection whenever reasonably practicable. If elimination is not reasonably practicable and the connection creates a health or non-health hazard, the hazard must be eliminated by inserting an approved backflow prevention assembly or device. DEQ device sheets say mechanical preventers are tested by a certified individual.

Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
Drinking-water agency
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality public-water-supply program administers ARM 17.38.305 cross-connection requirements.
Who may test an assembly
ARM 17.38.305 requires elimination or an approved assembly or device. The pages reviewed do not issue a state tester credential by name.
Official program page
Official page →

DEQ’s rules page says the correct method depends on the degree of hazard, whether the connection is direct or indirect, and whether it is subject to backpressure, backsiphonage, or continuous use. It says low hazards are pollution risks and non-toxic connections, and high hazards are contamination risks and toxic connections. It tells systems to contact the Department when choosing protection. Voluntary cross-connection control programs are addressed in ARM 17.38.310, separate from the mandatory elimination-or-protection duty in ARM 17.38.305. Definitions and incorporated standards are in ARM 17.38.301 and 17.38.302.

The drinking-water rules page says the right protection depends on the degree of hazard, on whether the connection is direct or indirect, and on backpressure, backsiphonage, or continuous use. It describes low hazards as pollution risks and high hazards as contamination risks. It tells systems to contact the Department when choosing protection. Circular DEQ-3 adds that no unprotected cross-connection may exist between the distribution system and pipes, pumps, hydrants, or tanks that could draw unsafe water into the system.

Circular DEQ-3 says no unprotected cross-connection may exist between the distribution system and any pipes, pumps, hydrants, or tanks whereby unsafe water or contaminating materials may be discharged or drawn into the system, and that cross-connections must be eliminated in conformance with ARM Title 17, chapter 38, subchapter 3. The pages reviewed do not publish a state tester roster or a fee. A customer should ask the water supplier what “certified individual” means in that supplier’s program.

Official resources in Montana

Montana DEQ drinking water rules

Explains ARM 17.38.305 and the cross-connection program sections.

EPA Cross-Connection Control Manual

Federal educational manual for cross-connection programs. It is not a Montana tester license.

Circular DEQ-3

Prohibits unprotected cross-connections in distribution systems and points back to the cross-connection rules.

Key facts for Montana

What to do next

  1. Ask the water supplier who may test a mechanical assembly; these pages do not name a state license.
  2. Do not treat a national card as a Montana license unless the supplier’s program says so.
  3. Ask whether the cross-connection can simply be removed, because disconnection is the rule’s first option.
  4. Use the drinking-water rules page when you need the ARM section numbers.

Looking for your city or county in Montana?

We haven't found official program-level pages for Montana we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:

  1. General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Montana, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
  2. Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
    Montana DEQ public water supply cross-connection rules
    Website →
    Phone: (406) 444-4400 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)
    Your city or county office: Local governments →
    Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Montana page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
  3. Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

Helpful guides

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