Water Line Rupture Keeps Montana State Prison on Emergency Supply
Guard crews are keeping the main tank pressurized during the search for a buried break.
Overview
- A rupture discovered Friday cut pressure to the secure compound, disrupting sanitation, showers, and other services.
- National Guard trucks are pumping water into the 300,000-gallon tank following a 15,000-gallon bulk delivery.
- Roughly 1,600 inmates are receiving seven bottles of drinking water per day with escorted access to 50 portable toilets.
- Portable showers are being procured, meals and recreation continue, and no inmate relocations have occurred.
- Families report unsanitary conditions and phone outages, while DOC officials say crews expect to pinpoint the break soon.