The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is taking public comments on a proposed well for Quantica’s Big Sky Campus data center near Broadview. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. October 29, 2026. Read DEQ’s notice.
DEQ says the campus is expected to use about 150,000 gallons of water a day during construction and 20,000 gallons a day afterward. The proposed well may also supply cooling water. Residents should ask what those figures include: well testing, construction, drinking water, cooling-system startup and ongoing replenishment. They should demand a clear plan for testing the well, monitoring nearby water supplies and making the results public.
Quantica’s power plans raise separate questions.
The company states it has had preliminary discussions with DEQ (Quantica) about permitting for the campus and associated generation, including natural gas and other potential sources.
- What combustion equipment, if any, will Quantica propose?
- How many units, burning what fuel, for how many hours a year?
- What would they emit, and when will the public see the applications and have a chance to comment?
This well review is not an air permit or approval of the entire campus.
If you live, work, own property, farm, ranch, or use water near the site, tell DEQ how you may be affected. Ask DEQ to notify you of future permit applications, hearings, comment deadlines, and decisions, and track air permits separately. Email comments on the well to DEQEngProgramMEPA@mt.gov by October 29.
Example Email Template
Modify as needed & CC yourself to keep a copy of what you sent.
Send to: DEQEngProgramMEPA@mt.gov
Subject: Public comment — Quantica Big Sky Campus proposed water wellI am commenting on the proposed Quantica Big Sky Campus public-water well and DEQ’s associated environmental review. I [live/work/own property/farm/ranch/use a well] near the project in [general location]. My concern is [describe how your water supply or use of the area could be affected].
DEQ projects water use of approximately 150,000 gallons per day during construction and 20,000 gallons per day afterward. Please state what those figures include, including well testing, construction, drinking water, cooling-system startup and replenishment. If actual demand is higher, what further review will occur?
Please make the well-testing plan public before testing begins. State the planned pumping rate and duration, which nearby wells or aquifers will be monitored, and what water-level and water-quality measurements will be taken before, during and after testing. Explain how DEQ will check whether the well’s construction prevents water from moving between aquifers.
Please make the pumping-test data, water-quality results, well-construction records and DEQ’s evaluation publicly available. If the results show an impact, or do not support the assumptions in this review, what further review or corrective action will be required before the well is put into use? Please explain why the proposed level of environmental review is sufficient for this well and its stated uses.
Please include my comment in the project record and tell me how I can receive notice of DEQ’s decision and future public comment opportunities concerning this project.
Name:
General location:
Email:
The comment deadline is 11:59 p.m. October 29, 2026. Put the testing questions in the record while DEQ is taking comments, not after they decide.
