Trace amounts of E. coli and nitrates were found in samples from the Gallatin River. This was a result of a pipe leak that spilled 35 million gallons of sewage water into the Gallatin River earlier this month.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality said that there weren't enough bacteria and nitrates to pose a human health risk. The DEQ’s Kristi Ponozzo said that Montanans shouldn’t be worried.
"They do not exceed our water quality standards," she said. "And our water quality standards are set specifically for human health."
An additional report on how it will affect aquatic wildlife is expected next week. Ponozzo said there were high levels of sediment in the river, which could harm aquatic life.
The leak was traced back to a sewage pool at Yellowstone Club near Big Sky. Ponozzo said that a pipe was dislodged after it froze and water levels rose. They are currently trying to determine whether this was an isolated incident or if they need to take extra safety measures to prevent this from happening again.