Program Overview
The Montana State University Extension Water Quality (MSUEWQ) program works to address the broad spectrum of water quality education and information needs of a diverse audience throughout Montana and its neighboring states through research, extension education, and outreach.
MSUEWQ is part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Northern Plains & Mountains Regional Water Program. The goal of this program is to protect or improve the quality of water resources throughout the United States and its territories, particularly in agriculturally managed watersheds. The Northern Plains & Mountains program seeks to address this goal at national, regional, state, and local levels.
In January of 2011, the NIFA National Water Program held their yearly conference in Washington D.C. The projects of excellence documents from this conference are available online for viewing. The projects of excellence documents provide key examples of how water resource professionals at universities and colleges, in cooperation with NIFA, are working with citizens, communities and partner agencies to address critical problesm across the US.
Featured Items:
Volunteer Monitoring Webpage - New!
This free online course helps homeowners understand and care for their water well. Through ten weekly lessons and monthly webinar trainings, private well owners will learn the basics of managing and protecting their water source. Lessons begin January 1, 2013 but enrollment is ongoing. Click on the logo above to learn more about the classes and to enroll.
Judith Basin Nitrogen Project
View MSUEWQ videos with YouTube
The MSUEWQ educational videos are now available for viewing on our website through YouTube embeded videos. We hope all visitors will be able to view the videos without issue.
Water Quality Teaching Package (developed for Tribal College faculty)
Nutrient and Water Quality Collaborative Workshop - Flier
Agencies and universities in the six states of EPA Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming) hosted a three-day workshop to explore the science and institutional context regarding nutrients and water quality. Post-workshop materials are now available and proceedings will be available in May.
Well Educated Program
The Well Educated program guides private well owners through the process of testing water quality, provides materials to help interpret test results, and offers insight on ways to help protect drinking water resources. The program is offered as a service for Montana well owners to provide affordable well testing services accompanied by test result interpretation, while simultaneously providing a useful water quality data source for managers. Some new additions to the 2009 program include year round program offering, an option to test for uranium in addition to the 30 parameters available for analysis, and an educational well and septic DVD “Taking Care of yOur Ground Water” included with test results.
Extension Today radio program: Wells & Septic Systems (3:00)
Undergraduate and Graduate Credit Opportunities
Montana State University Extension Water Quality Program provides soil and water educational resources for teachers, communities, and professionals. Featured programs include online graduate courses and other online resources.