Since 2021, MMW has provided funding to the Missoula Valley Water Quality District (MVWQD) to support their volunteer-led surface water quality monitoring program to gather water quality data and cover lab analysis costs. The MVWQD is a division of the Missoula Public Health Department that focuses on protecting and improving water quality (both surface and groundwater) in the Missoula valley. The group educates the public on pollution prevention, inspects businesses for hazardous waste contamination, has a household hazardous waste collection program, and reviews state and federal cleanup sites in Missoula County.   

When it comes to water quality monitoring, MVWQD implements both a well monitoring program along with a volunteer-led surface water quality monitoring program. The volunteer monitoring program has focused their monitoring on the tributaries of the Clark Fork and Bitterroot River. Monitoring on these tributaries is important for understanding how increasing development and land use changes impact the quality of surface waters in the watershed. The group hopes that by collecting this data they can understand where restoration efforts need to be concerted and communicate these needs with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The group is a great asset to MMW, and we look forward to continuing partnering with them as they collect the baseline data necessary to protect water quality in and around Missoula.