The contamination was found in tests conducted in April and May on the Crow Agency Water System, investigators said in a report issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Inspector General.
The contamination was found in water from the Little Bighorn River that supplies the Crow Agency system, according to EPA spokesman Richard Mylott.
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The distribution system itself has not had evidence of fecal contamination in 12 years, Mylott said.
The potential solutions include additional monitoring at the water intake site on the Little Bighorn, additional treatment measures or coming up with a new supply source.
The inspector general’s report comes on the heels of the southeastern Montana tribe being unable to account for tens of millions of dollars it received from the U.S. government for water improvements and transportation projects.
The report also revealed that EPA officials had issued notices of violation for two other reservation water systems after they did not perform required testing for contamination.
The water systems for the communities of Wyola and Pryor combined serve almost 700 residents, three schools and a health clinic.
Crow tribal officials did not have immediate comment on the contamination in Crow Agency and lack of monitoring in Wyola and Pryor.