75-6-202. Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, in this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Administrative costs" means costs incurred by the department and the department of natural resources and conservation in the administration of the program, including but not limited to:

(a) costs of servicing loans and issuing debt;

(b) program startup costs;

(c) financial, management, and legal consulting fees; and

(d) reimbursement costs for support services from other state agencies.

(2) "Community water system" means a public water system that is owned by a private person or a municipality and that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents of the area served by the system or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. The term does not include a public water system that is owned by the federal government.

(3) "Cost" means, with reference to a project, all capital costs incurred or to be incurred for a public water system, including but not limited to:

(a) engineering, financing, and other fees;

(b) interest during construction;

(c) construction; and

(d) a reasonable allowance for contingencies to the extent permitted by the federal act and rules promulgated under the federal act.

(4) "Department" means the department of environmental quality provided for in 2-15-3501.

(5) "Disadvantaged community" means one in which the service area of a public water system meets the affordability criteria established by rule adopted pursuant to this part.

(6) "Federal act" means the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300f, et seq., as that act read on May 5, 1997.

(7) "Indian tribe" means an Indian tribe that has a federally recognized governing body carrying out substantial governmental duties and powers over any area.

(8) "Intended use plan" means the annual plan adopted by the department and submitted to the environmental protection agency that describes how the state intends to use the money in the revolving fund.

(9) "Loan" means a loan of money from the revolving fund for project costs.

(10) "Municipality" means a state agency, city, town, or other public body, including an authority as defined in 75-6-304, created pursuant to state law or an Indian tribe.

(11) "Noncommunity water system" means a public water system that is not a community water system.

(12) "Nonprofit noncommunity water system" means a noncommunity water system owned by an organization that is organized under Montana law and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under the provisions of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(13) "Private person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, or other nongovernmental legal entity.

(14) "Program" means the drinking water state revolving fund program established by this part.

(15) "Project" means improvements or activities that are:

(a) to be undertaken for a public water system and that are of a type that will facilitate compliance with the national primary drinking water regulations applicable to the system; or

(b) to further the health protection objectives of the federal act.

(16) "Public water system" means a system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption, through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if that system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 individuals. The term includes any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under control of an operator of a system that are used primarily in connection with a system and any collection or pretreatment storage facilities not under control of an operator and that are used primarily in connection with a system.

(17) "Revolving fund" means the drinking water state revolving fund established by 75-6-211.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 553, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 538, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 498, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 38, Ch. 489, L. 2009.