The $2 fee is an ANNUAL fee that Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) charges its public water supply systems. DEQ charges the Town of Ennis $2 per user annually. This fee began in 1991 after the Montana Legislature voted to implement the fee.
Part of the legislative language reads: “in support of the Public Water Supply Program, which assures all sampling and monitoring is completed; performing required inspections and providing technical assistance outreach on compliance issues and for providing and supporting training for certified operators; annual monitoring schedules; enforcing, implementing and managing federal drinking water regulations”.
The Town of Ennis has no choice but to charge this annual fee as required by law and that is why once a year in November you will see a $2 DEQ fee on your water bill.