Earl “Bill” Bahr was born and raised on a ranch north of Chinook, MT. He attended grade school at Boldt School north of Chinook, MT grades 1 – 8. He attended Chinook High School grades 9-12, graduating in 1968 with honors and received scholarships in Chemistry and Journalism to the University of Montana.
Bill graduated from the U of M with a dual major in Chemistry and English. Published a research paper with Dr. RK Osterheld in Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. He participated on the U of M Speech and the U of M Track teams. He worked as a reporter, photographer and editor for the Montana Kaimin, the U of M school newspaper.
Bill was employed as a wastewater plant operator for City of Great Falls for 13 years and served as Safety Director for several years, winning the Burke Safety award. He also worked part time for the Great Falls School District as night school Superintendent for 5 years and both as an English teacher and the summer school Coordinator for the District for 2 years.
Bill was a wastewater technical assistance provider to Montana communities for the State of Montana for 25 years in the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences in the Construction Grants Program and in the Department of Environmental Quality with the State Revolving Fund Program under an EPA environmental technical assistance program. He conducted several programs for the EPA, including the Outstanding WWTP Award program with several Montana plants achieving first place nationally. Provided fiscal oversight for the Montana Environmental Training Center and for the EPA On-Site Technical Assistance Program. Provided guidance for the On-Site assistance provider activities until the program was sunset.
Bill served on the METC Steering Committee for 27 years, first as an at-large member and then as the DHES/DEQ wastewater representative. Served as wastewater system advisor to the Operators Certification Council. Through METC and membership in the Montana Water Environment Association and the Water Environment Federation, provided training sessions for both water and wastewater operators and technical sessions for engineers and system managers.
Bills works for Montana Rural Water Systems for three years as a wastewater technical assistance provider.
