Southwest Montana reference
A practical, citable collection of current numbers about septic systems, wastewater, jobsites, and hygiene. Last updated November 6, 2026.
Why these numbers matter
Across Montana, sanitation often means planning for a rural home, a cabin, a ranch, a jobsite, or an outdoor gathering. These figures bring together public information that writers, planners, property owners, and local businesses can quote with the original source close at hand.
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38%
Montana's 2022 emergency response framework says public wastewater systems serve about 62% of the state's population. The remaining 38% is served by other wastewater systems, mostly septic tanks and drainfields.
Source: Montana Emergency Response Framework, 20221 in 4
The EPA says decentralized systems treat wastewater close to where it is generated, which can be especially practical where distance, terrain, or dispersed homes make a centralized sewer difficult.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accessed November 6, 202628.5 million
The Census Bureau reported that about 118 million housing units, nearly 80%, used public sewer, while nearly 1.7 million used another arrangement. The new survey data makes local wastewater patterns easier to study.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, October 29, 202616,000
Those facilities serve more than 75% of the U.S. population, according to the EPA. The remaining service picture includes septic systems and small community systems.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accessed November 6, 20261 / 40 / 50
For 20 or fewer workers, OSHA requires at least one facility. At 20 or more, the table calls for one toilet seat and one urinal per 40 workers. At 200 or more, it calls for one toilet seat and one urinal per 50 workers.
Source: OSHA construction sanitation standard, checked November 6, 202623–40%
CDC also reports a 16–21% reduction in respiratory illnesses in the general population and a 29–57% reduction in school absences due to gastrointestinal illness.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 17, 2024Method and sources
This page uses public information from the Montana Emergency Response Framework, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Census Bureau, OSHA, and the CDC. Every figure above links to its source and names the publication or check date. The figures describe their stated geography and context, so national numbers should not be read as estimates for one Montana community.
We review this reference about monthly and update it when a key public source changes. Last reviewed November 6, 2026.
CR Sanitation. “Montana Septic and Sanitation Statistics.” Updated November 6, 2026. https://crsanitation.net/resources/montana-septic-sanitation-statistics
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