United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4606)
EPA816-R-01-017A
June 2001
&EPA
A Small Systems Guide to the
Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring Drinking Water to Protect Public Health
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Printed on Recycled Paper
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Who Is this Guide For?
This guide is designed for use by "community water systems" serving 3,300 or fewer persons. The term "community water systems" includes any
systems (regardless of ownership) serving at least 25 year-round residents or 15 year-round service connections. Typical systems finding this guide
useful include:
Mobile Home Parks
Home Owners Associations
Small Towns
Rural Water Districts
Small Private Systems
Tribal Systems
Additional copies of this guide may be obtained by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. The guide also may be downloaded from
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater.
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Contents
What Will I Learn from this Guide? 1
Ensuring Safe Drinking Water 2
The Total Coliform Rule 9
There Are Exceptions to Every Rule!!! 15
Monthly Monitoring Worksheets 16
TCR Monthly Monitoring Worksheets 17
Interpreting the Sampling Results 20
12-Month Supply of "Monthly Monitoring Worksheets" 32
Appendix A: Developing a Sample Siting Plan A-1
Appendix B: Sample Collection Techniques B-1
Disclaimer: This document does not substitute for EPA regulations, nor is this document regulation in itself. Thus, it cannot impose legally binding
requirements on EPA, states, or the regulated community, and may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances.
ill
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What Will I Learn from This Guide?
This guide is intended to help small-system operators, like these
operators of a small system serving an Alaska Native Village,
comply with the Total Coliform Rule.
As a drinking water system operator, your most important job is protecting the
health of your customers. This guide will help you do that job by providing information
about:
Reducing the risk of waterborne disease by providing multiple barriers of
protection.
The importance of monitoring drinking water to ensure its quality and protect
public health.
The monitoring you are required to do under the Total Coliform Rule.
The steps you must take if your samples indicate the presence of coliform
bacteria.
A worksheet to help you keep track of the monitoring and follow-up you are
required to do.
Appendices contain information about developing an effective plan for where to collect
samples, as well as step-by-step instructions for sample collection.
This workbook describes minimum Federal requirements under the Total Coliform Rule. Some States may have specific or additional
requirements and/or monitoring forms. Be sure to check with your State drinking water agency regarding their specific requirements.
(Systems on Tribal lands, in Wyoming, or in the District of Columbia should check with their EPA Regional office.)
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Ensuring Safe Drinking Water
Children, the elderly, and people with ailments are particularly
susceptible to waterborne diseases.
Drinking water is one of the oldest known public health concerns. Preventing waterborne
disease is one of the primary objectives of any drinking water system.
Although waterborne disease outbreaks are relatively uncommon in the United States,
they do occur (see the tables on the following page). In most cases the results are
diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and other symptoms. But in some casesparticularly among
the young, the elderly, and ill peoplewaterborne diseases can lead to death.
The risk of waterborne disease is greatly reduced when the water system is designed
and operated to provide multiple barriers of protection. The key barriers are:
Source water protection
Treatment
Distribution system integrity
Monitoring and public awareness
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Selected Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in
Small and Mid-size Systems in the U.S.:
1986-1998
Location
Pennsylvania
(Numerous Sites)
Oregon
Texas
Texas
Arizona
Pennsylvania
Missouri
Missouri
Wyoming
Oregon
Minnesota
New York
New Mexico
Florida
Illinois
No. of
Cases
5,000
3,000
1,400
900
900
513
485
(4 deaths)
243
157
100
83
50
32
7
3
Year of
Outbreak
1987
1992
1998
1988
1989
1987
1993
1989
1998
1997
1998
1997
1998
1998
1998
Cause of
Illness
Norwalk-like virus
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium
Shigella sonnei
Norwalk-like virus
Giardia
Salmonella
E, coli
E. coli
Giardia
Shigella sonnei
Giardia
Cryptosporidium
Giardia
E, coli
E. coli Outbreaks in Small and Mid-size
Systems: 1999 and 2000
Location
Walkerton,
Ontario
Washington
County, NY
No. of Cases
Year of
Cause of
Outbreak Illness
Approx 1,000 1Qqq
2 deaths
E. coli
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Source Water Protection
Doing everything possible to keep pathogens out of the source water is a good first line
of defense.
Septic systems, livestock feeding operations, and the use of fresh manure as fertilizer
are all potential sources of ground water contamination. Wells must be sited and
constructed according to State codes in order to minimize the potential for
contamination.
Surface water can become contaminated from many sources, including incomplete or
ineffective wastewater treatment, stormwater runoff, agricultural feedlots, or simply the
normal activity of wildlife in the watershed.
When livestock are allowed to feed near a drinking water well, the
source water can possibly become contaminated with pathogens.
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Multiple stages of treatmentincluding sedimentation, which is
shown hereare used for sources such as surface waters, whose
quality is variable.
Treatment
Treatment to remove or inactivate pathogens (disease-causing microbes) may be
necessary if the source water is vulnerable to contamination. Depending upon the nature
of the source water, multiple levels of treatment may be required. Various types of
filtration (with or without preliminary chemical treatment) and/or disinfection are
commonly used.
Simple chlorination treatment for a small ground water system.
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Distribution System Integrity
Even if source water is treated to remove or inactivate pathogens, customers may still
be at risk from contamination entering the distribution system. Examples of typical
problems are:
Inadequate water pressure in the pipes may allow fecal contamination to be
sucked into (or backflow into) the distribution system.
Improper distribution system repair or replacement can allow contamination to
enter the system.
Storage facilities with holes or other structural flaws can allow birds, rodents,
and other animals to contaminate the water.
As a water system operator, you should devote special attention to identifying such
problems in your distribution system and ensure that they are fixed.
Repair or replacement of distribution system components can
create a potential source of contamination.
6
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As shown in this magnification, drinking water is not sterile. It
contains many harmless bacteria. However, drinking water must
be closely monitored for certain bacteria which could indicate that
the system is vulnerable to the presence of pathogens (disease-
causing microbes).
Monitoring and Public Awareness
The importance of regular monitoring cannot be overemphasized. So much of
your water system is underground and hidden from view. The only way to be sure
you are effectively protecting public health is to monitor the quality of water
delivered to customer taps.
Many different pathogens may be present in water. It is not practical to test for them
individually. Instead, we rely on monitoring for indicator organisms. The indicator
organisms we use for monitoring drinking water are total conforms, fecal conforms, and
Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Total conforms are a group of closely related bacteria that are generally harmless. They
are natural and common inhabitants of the soil and ambient waters (such as lakes and
rivers). They are usually not found in ground water that is free of surface water or fecal
contaminants.
Total conforms are inactivated by treatment or die off naturally in a manner similar to
most bacterial pathogens and many viral pathogens. Therefore, if total conforms are
found in the distribution system, pathogens could also be present.
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When total conforms are present, the system is vulnerable to
pathogens, whether pathogens are actually present or not.
Total coliform testing is relatively inexpensive and easy. Fecal
conforms are a subset of total conforms. E. coli is a subset of
fecal conforms. Fecal conforms and E. coli are good indicators
of fresh fecal contamination and of the potential presence of waterborne pathogens
associated with fecal contamination. Certain strains of £. coli are themselves
pathogenic.
) Regular coliform testing is essential to protecting the health of your customers.
Detection of total conforms is a warning sign that your system may be vulnerable
to fecal contamination. You should attempt to determine the source of the total
coliform contamination and address the problem.
Detection of fecal conforms or E. coli is a danger alarm that your system is
contaminated with fecal waste. You must take immediate steps to inform and
DANGEROUS ^) Protect y°ur customers.
The next section of this workbook discusses the specific requirements of the Total
Coliform Rule for monitoring as well as for the specific steps you must take if you detect
total conforms or fecal coliforms/E. coli.
8
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The Total Coliform Rule
The Total Coliform Rule (TCR) is the Federal regulation that sets maximum contaminant
levels (MCLs*) and monitoring requirements for conforms in drinking water. It requires
every regulated system to periodically collect samples and analyze them for conforms.
The number of routine samples required each month depends on system size (see chart
below). Samples must be collected according to a written "Sample Siting Plan."
Appendix A describes how to develop a sample siting plan. Appendix B describes
sample collection techniques.
Samples to be analyzed for the presence of coliforms must be
collected according to a written Sample Siting Plan.
Population Served Routine Samples per Month
25 - 1 ,000
1 ,001 - 2,500
2,501 - 3,300
1
2
3
The maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water delivered to any user of a public water system. MCLs are enforceable standards.
9
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As mentioned previously, the presence of total conforms is a warning sign that your system is vulnerable to contamination. It does not necessarily mean
that your system is fecally contaminated.
If any of your routine samples test positive for the presence of total coliforms, you must:
Immediately collect a set of repeat samples per positive routine sample to assess the extent of the problem, and
Collect 5 routine samples the next month.
For every total coliform-positive sample, a set of repeat samples must be collected within 24 hours of the system being notified of the positive result.
The minimum number of repeat samples required is based on the number of routine samples collected. See the table below to determine the number
needed.
Population Served XSStfSSg P" "^
25 - 1 ,000
1 ,001 - 2,500
2,501 - 3,300
4
3
3
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Repeat Samples
(Conforms
are
Upstream present) Downstream
One Repeat
Original
Sample
Site
One Repeat
One Repeat
One must be at same site as the routine sample.
One must be within 5 service connections upstream.
One must be within 5 service connections downstream.
If a fourth repeat sample is required, the system should
take the sample wherever it feels it will help identify the
area of contamination.
Repeat Sample Locations
One of the repeat samples must be collected from the original sample site; 1 within
5 service connections upstream; 1 within 5 service connections downstream; and for
systems serving 25-1,000 persons a fourth repeat sample is required and should be
collected from wherever the system believes it would best help identify the source
or area of contamination.
The main reason for this repeat sampling is to determine whether the contamination
is in the plumbing of an individual building or in the distribution system itself. If a
repeat sample is total coliform-positive at the same service connection, but negative
at upstream and downstream service connections, the State may investigate to
determine if it is appropriate to waive the total coliform-positive sample as being a
plumbing system problem in the individual building.
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Note: If any routine or repeat sample is total coliform-positive, the positive
sample is tested either for the presence of fecal conforms or E. coli. The test is
done automatically by the lab and does not require an additional sample.
A potential urgent health risk exists if any sample, routine or repeat, tests
positive for fecal coliform/E. coli. When you are notified by your laboratory of
any sample testing positive for fecal conforms or E. coli, you must notify the
State by the end of the day you are notified, or before the end of the next
business day if the state office is closed.
12
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Acute MCL
If you have a total coliform-positive routine sample followed by a fecal coliform or £.
co/;-positive repeat sample (or a fecal coliform or £. co/;-positive routine sample
followed by a total coliform-positive repeat sample), this is a serious potential health
risk. This creates an acute violation of the MCL and you must:
Notify the State by the end of the day you are notified, or before the end of the
next business day if the state office is closed.
Notify the public within 24 hours by television, radio, hand delivery, or other
methods approved by the State.*
Consider advising your customers to boil their water.
Monthly MCL
A less serious but still significant potential health risk exists if more than one sample
(routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive. This creates a monthly MCL
violation. When you are notified by your laboratory of the repeat or second routine total
coliform-positive sample results, you must:
Notify the State by the end of the next business day.
Notify the public within 30 days by mail, hand delivery, or other methods
approved by the State.*
This guide contains information that reflects new U.S. EPA public notification requirements. See Public Notification Requirements: A Quick Reference Guide
(document number EPA 816-F-00-023) for more information.
13
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In the month following detection of total conforms in any routine or repeat sample, you
are required to collect five routine samples. If none of these tests positive for the
presence of total conforms, you may resume collecting your usual number of routine
samples the next month.
A total coliform-positive sample is cause for concern. However, if a set of repeat
samples that month and five routine samples the next month are all negative, and your
other multiple barriers to contamination are in good shape, you can have confidence that
your water is safe.
14
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There Are Exceptions to Every Rule!!!
The Total Coliform Rule provides States with flexibility to alter certain requirements, on a case-by-case basis, in response to local circumstances. This
guide is not designed to provide exhaustive detail on all the potential exceptions to the basic requirements we have thus far described. However, as a
small system operator, you should be aware of the most significant possible exceptions.
1. Invalidation of Total Coliform-Positive Samples. Under certain limited and specific circumstances, the State may invalidate a sample. You
should not interpret this flexibility to mean that total coliform-positive samples are not a serious matter! Rather, this flexibility exists to allow the
State to invalidate a sample in those rare instances when it is justified to do so.
2. Reduced Monitoring. Systems serving 25-1,000 persons may, under very specific conditions, be allowed to collect 1 sample per quarter rather
than 1 sample per month. States may only allow this reduced monitoring if a system has no history of coliform contamination and if it is supplied
solely by a protected ground water source and is free of sanitary defects.
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Monthly Monitoring Worksheets
This guide contains simple monthly monitoring worksheets to help you keep track of your Total Coliform Rule sampling and sample results. (While the
monitoring worksheets presented here can be a useful management tool, system operators are reminded that the original laboratory results must be
kept on file as well.) These worksheets can help you ensure that you collect the right number of routine samples each month. These worksheets will also
help you ensure that you collect the appropriate number of repeat samples in the event that any routine samples are total coliform-positive. Finally, the
worksheets will help you organize your follow-up if you have a monthly MCL violation (if you have more than one routine and/or repeat samples that are
total coliform-positive) or you have an acute MCL violation (triggered by fecal coliform/E. coli positives).
The following pages explain how to use these worksheets. A series of examples is included showing how the worksheets would be filled out in various
circumstances and what follow-up would be needed. Finally, a 12-month supply of blank worksheets is provided. Additional worksheets are available by
calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 and requesting publication number EPA 816-R-01-017B.
It should be noted that some Primacy Agencies (typically the State regulatory agency, except in a few cases) may have their own monitoring worksheets
that small community drinking water systems are required to complete. The worksheets contained in this section should not replace monitoring forms
required by the Primacy Agency.
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TCR Monthly Monitoring Worksheets
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
^r
Date
Sample
Collected
1
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2
Date
Results
Known
Month and
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
/ear
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples i _^ Jt
[ftJ
Sample
Collected
Location
' One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
*n
Date
Results
Known
EK
"otal
ooliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecai
Coliform or
£. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal conforms or £. co//you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal conforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
b
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Using the TCR Monthly Monitoring Worksheets
This section presents instructions for completing the TCR Monthly Monitoring Worksheets. Each step presented here corresponds to a numbered
section of the sample TCR worksheet on page 17.
Step #1
Step #2
Step #3
Enter date and location of routine sample
Enter date when routine sampling occurred.
Record specific location information (e.g., street
address) for the routine sample location.
The sample sites chosen must be representative of
water throughout the distribution system according to a
written Sample Siting Plan (see Appendix A).
Indicate routine total coliform test result(s)
Enter date when laboratory results became known to
the system.
Your laboratory will report whether total conforms are
present or absent in a given sample. Circle "+" if
conforms are present, or circle "-" if conforms are
absent.
Indicate routine fecal (or E. coli) test result(s) (if
applicable)
Any routine total coliform test sample that indicates the
presence of coliform will also be tested for the
presence of fecal conforms or E. coli by the laboratory.
Lab analysis results for fecal coliform or E. coli will also
be reported either present or absent in a given sample.
Circle "+" if fecal conforms orE. co/;are present, or
circle "-" if fecal conforms orE. coli are absent. Note: If
a routine total coliform test sample indicates the
absence of conforms, neither "+" or "-" should be
circled since a fecal coliform or E. contest was not
performed. 1;
Step #4
Step #4A
Repeat Sampling
If any one of the routine total coliform samples shows
the presence of conforms, repeat samples are
required. If you collect only one routine sample per
month, then you must collect four repeat samples. If
you collect two or three routine samples per month,
then you must collect three repeat samples.
Enter date and location of repeat samples (if
applicable)
Enter date when routine sampling occurred. Note that
repeat sampling is required within 24 hours, or the
next business day, after the system is notified of the
presence of total conforms in any one of its samples.
All repeat samples must be collected on the same
day.
Record specific location information (e.g., street
address) for each repeat sample location.
The repeat sample locations chosen must include one
sample from the same tap as the original routine
sample testing "present," one sample within five
service connections upstream, one sample within five
service connections downstream, and (if required) a
fourth repeat sample taken anywhere in the
distribution system. A description of these Repeat
Sampling Sites should also be included in your
Sample Siting Plan (see Appendix A).
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Step #4B
Step #4C
Step #5
Indicate repeat total coliform test results
Enter date when laboratory results became known to
the system.
Lab analysis results for total conforms will be reported
as either present or absent in a given sample. Circle
"+" if conforms are present, or circle "-" if conforms are
absent.
Indicate repeat fecal coliform or E. contest results
Any repeat sample that shows the presence of
conforms will also be tested for the presence of fecal
conforms or E. coli by the laboratory.
Lab analysis results for fecal conforms or E. coli will be
reported as either present or absent in a given sample.
Circle "+" if fecal conforms orE. co/;are present, or
circle "-" if fecal conforms orE. coli are absent. Note: If
a repeat total coliform test sample indicates the
absence of conforms, then neither "+" or "-"
should be circled since a fecal coliform or E. coli
test was not performed.
Immediate follow-up actions
Certain immediate follow-up actions need to be
undertaken based on the sample results (both routine
and repeat).
A. Notification.
If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat)
in a month are total coliform-positive, you must
notify the State by the end of the next business
day and notify the public within 30 days.
If ANY sample (routine or repeat) tests positive
for fecal conforms or E. coli, you must notify
the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE
RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is
closed).
If a routine total coliform-positive sample is
followed by a repeat sample that tests positive
for fecal conforms or E. coli, or a routine
sample that tests positive for fecal conforms or
E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-
positive sample, you must notify the State THE
DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next
day if the State office is closed) and notify the
public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
B. Problem Identification.
If the cause of the coliform contamination is not
known, the repeat samples should be used to help
identify the source of the problem. The cause of the
coliform contamination could be in the treatment
process itself, or somewhere in the distribution
system.
C. Corrective Measures Taken.
Any corrective actions or measures taken by the
small community drinking water system prior to or
after repeat testing should be noted.
Record the follow-up actions taken in the space
provided on the monitoring worksheets.
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Interpreting the Sampling Results
The sample monitoring result diagram below illustrates the possible results of total coliform sampling. As mentioned previously, a possible
result of total coliform testing is the violation of MCLs, either monthly or acute. The examples in the following section should be used with the
sample monitoring diagram as a guide to how to interpret the results.
Repeat Samples Not
Required
Normal Monthly Sampling
Procedure in Subsequent Month
Repeat Samples Required
Five Routine Samples
Remaining Routine TC = "-"
All Repeat TC & FC - "-"
(See Examnle #2'i
Dli ic
^
Plus
One
Routine
krc = + J
V /
Dli ic
W
Plus
or Repeat TC = "+"
All Routine & Repeat
FC - "-"
Required in Subsequent
Month
1 No Further Action
Required
1 Increased
Number of
Samples in
Following Month
Any
Routine
FC = "+" AND
(See Example #3)
1 Any Repeat
TC = "+"
(See Example #4)
(See Example #5)
Key
TC = Total Coliform Results
FC = Fecal/E. coli Coliform Results
"+" = Present
"-" = Absent
Acute MCL Violation
1 Immediately Notify State
1 Immediately Notify Public
1 Consider Issuing a Boil Water Advisory
1 Identify & Isolate Problem
1 Remedy Problem - Additional Samples to Verify
1 Increased Number of Samples in Following Month
Monthly MCL Violation
Immediately Notify State
Notify Public within 30 Days
Identify & Isolate Problem
Remedy Problem - Additional
Samples to Verify
Increased Number of
Samples in Following Month
-------
Sample Routine Test Results
This is a typical report that a water system would receive. The results from this report would
be used to complete a monthly monitoring worksheet.
BL, 1 ^ \
-w-^o^n-D
CONFLUENCE WATER TtSTlMG UBOfl*TOHY
BQSl TSMItS
COLIFOflW BACTERIA ANALf 515 REPORT
CONTAMINANT ID»)l|»
-XPubli
Q Pdw
^ Public DrinUnj W«lw Syil«m
Print* Oniksng WlUr
^u «*!» 4 1 ..
1 * I) in
35 10
a
u
in paj im^ Io4
ff.
TBT*l
!
A
RESULTS
COLtfOWl
UOCAOU
CC.I
33/3
u
,-
: _
^~
fl
I
21
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Example #1 Explanation
This system serves between 25 and 1,000 persons and thus collects one
routine sample per month.
The example is for the month of August 2001. The total coliform
laboratory result shows that conforms are absent. No further action is
required. Normal routine testing will continue in the following month.
-------
Examples of Total Coliform Test Results
Example #1: Population served by small community drinking water system = 25 to 1,000 persons. One routine sample per month.
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
MonthandYear AUQUSt 2001
Date
Sample
Collected
8/6/01
Routine Sample Location
1.
123 Main Street
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
8/9/01
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /G
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) In a month Is total collform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal conforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed).
(c) If a routine total collform-posltlve sample Is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal collform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal conforms
or E. coli Is followed by a repeat total collform-posltlve sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
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Example #2 Explanation
This system serves between 1,001 and 2,500 persons and thus collects
two routine samples per month.
The example is for the month of September 2001. One routine total
coliform sample indicated the presence of conforms, so repeat sampling
was done. The three repeat samples indicated no further total coliform,
fecal coliform, or £. co/;-positive result.
The number of routine samples is increased to FIVE for the month of
October. If all five October routine total coliform samples show that total
conforms are absent, then the system can resume its normal two routine
samples per month schedule in November.
-------
Examples of Total Coliform Test Results
Example #2: Population served by small community drinking water system = 1,001 to 2,500. Two routine samples per month.
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year September 2001
Date
Sample
Collected
9/10/01
9/10/01
Routine Sample Location
1.
456 North Street
2.
789 South Street
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
9/12/01
9/12/01
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
e,
©/-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /e
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
9/13/01
9/13/01
9/13/01
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
11 456 North Street
1.2 452 North Street
13 460 North Street
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
9/17/01
9/17/01
9/17/01
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+G
+O
+O
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
Fecal
Coliform or
£. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) In a month Is total collform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal conforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed).
(c) If a routine total collform-posltlve sample Is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal collform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal conforms
or E. coli Is followed by a repeat total collform-posltlve sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Example #3 Explanation
This system serves between 2,501 and 3,300 persons and thus collects
three routine samples per month.
The example is for the month of October 2001. One of the three routine
total coliform samples showed the presence of conforms, but the
corresponding fecal result showed the absence of fecal conforms. Since
one routine total coliform sample indicated the presence of conforms,
repeat sampling was done.
The number of routine samples is increased to FIVE for the month of
November. If all five November routine total coliform samples show that
total conforms are absent, then the system can resume its normal three
routine samples per month schedule in December.
Three repeat samples were collected as follow-up to the routine sample.
Two of the three repeat samples showed the presence of total conforms,
but fecal conforms were absent from these samples. This constitutes a
monthly MCL violation since more than one sample (routine and/or
repeat) showed that total conforms are present. The system must
immediately notify the State and also notify the public within 30 days.
-------
Examples of Total Coliform Test Results
Example #3: Population served by small community drinking water system = 2,501 to 3,300. Three routine samples per month.
Total Collform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year UCtODGT ZUU 1
Date
Sample
Collected
10/9/01
10/9/01
10/9/01
Routine Sample Location
1.
135 East Street
2.
79 West Street
3.
234 Main Street
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
10/11/01
10/11/01
10/11/01
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
*-
*e
+©
*/.
*/-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /e
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
10/11/01
10/11/01
10/11/01
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additiona sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
11 135 East Street
1.2
1.3
29 East Street
43 East Street
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
G>-
0'-
+O
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coH
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ O
+ O
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) In a month Is total collform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal conforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed).
(c) If a routine total collform-posltlve sample Is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal collform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal conforms
or E. coli Is followed by a repeat total collform-posltlve sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notificaton B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Example #4 Explanation
This system serves between 25 and 1,000 persons and thus collects one
routine sample per month.
The example is for the month of November 2001. The routine total
coliform laboratory result showed that both total conforms and fecal
conforms are present. Upon receiving these results on November?, 2001,
the system immediately notified the State that it had detected the
presence of fecal conforms in the routine sample. Repeat sampling was
done.
The number of routine samples is increased to FIVE for the month of
December. If all five December routine total coliform samples show that
total conforms are absent, then the system can resume its normal one
sample per month schedule in January 2002.
Four repeat samples were collected as follow-up to the routine sample.
Two of the four repeat samples showed that total conforms were present.
Fecal conforms were absent from the repeat samples. This constitutes an
acute MCL violation since there are fecal conforms present in a routine
sample and total conforms are present in a repeat sample. The system
must immediately (within 24 hours of knowing laboratory results) notify
the State and the public.
-------
Examples of Total Coliform Test Results
Example #4: Population served by small community drinking water system = 25 to 1,000. One routine sample per month.
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year NOVGmber 2001
Date
Sample
Collected
11/5/01
Routine Sample Location
1.
600 North Street
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
11/7/01
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
©/-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
©/-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
11/8/01
11/8/01
11/8/01
11/8/01
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
11 600 North Street
1.2 610 North Street
13 594 North Street
i4(d> 604 North Street
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
11/9/01
11/9/01
11/9/01
11/9/01
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
Q-
&-
+n
+O
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
Fecal
Coliform or
£. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+o
+o
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) In a month Is total collform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal conforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed).
(c) If a routine total collform-posltlve sample Is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal collform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal conforms
or E. coli Is followed by a repeat total collform-posltlve sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Example #5 Explanation
This system serves between 1,001 and 2,500 persons and thus collects
two routine samples per month.
The example is for the month of December 2001. One of the routine
samples showed that total conforms are present. Fecal conforms were
absent from the routine samples. Repeat sampling was done.
Three repeat samples were collected as follow-up to the routine sample.
Two of the three repeat samples showed the presence of total conforms,
with one sample also showing that fecal conforms are present. This
constitutes an acute MCL violation since fecal conforms are present in a
repeat sample. The system must immediately (within 24 hours of knowing
laboratory resuls) notify the State and the public.
The number of routine samples is increased to FIVE for the month of
January 2002. Should all January routine total conform samples show that
total conforms are absent, then the system can resume its normal two
samples per month schedule in February.
-------
Examples of Total Coliform Test Results
Example #5: Population served by small community drinking water system = 1,001 to 2,500. Two routine samples per month.
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year December 2001
Date
Sample
Collected
12/3/01
12/3/01
Routine Sample Location
1.
402 East Street
2.
500 West Street
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
12/5/01
12/5/01
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
©/-
+ /e
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ a
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
12/6/01
12/6/01
12/6/01
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
ri 402
1.2 410
13 396
East Street
Eas
Lasl
ree
reel
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
12/7/01
12/7/01
12/7/01
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
D-
G»-
+n
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
Fecal
Coliform or
£. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
&~
+n
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
+/-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) In a month Is total collform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal conforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed).
(c) If a routine total collform-posltlve sample Is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal collform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal conforms
or E. coli Is followed by a repeat total collform-posltlve sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day If the State office Is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
12-Month Supply of "Monthly Monitoring Worksheets"
Systems can use the monitoring worksheets on the following pages to track the results of laboratory analyses of their coliform samples.
These forms can be a useful management tool, helping operators ensure they remain in compliance with TCR monitoring requirements and
identifying potential problem areas that require special attention.
Systems are reminded that the analytical results reported by their laboratories also must be kept on file. Some State agencies may have their
own monitoring forms, which small community drinking water systems are required to complete. The forms that follow should not replace
monitoring forms required by the State agency.
Additional blank worksheets may be obtained by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 and requesting publication
EPA816-R-01-017B.
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Total Coliform Rule Monthly Monitoring Worksheet
Month and Year
Date
Sample
Collected
Routine Sample Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Repeat Samples
Date
Sample
Collected
Location
One must be at same site as routine.
One must be within 5 taps upstream.
One must be within 5 taps downstream.
One additional sample anywhere within the distribution
system (if a fourth repeat sample is required).
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4(d)
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
Date
Results
Known
Total
Coliform
Result (a,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
Fecal
Coliform or
E. coli
Result (b,c)
(Circle "+" if
present, "-"
if absent)
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
+ /-
(a) If more than one sample (routine and/or repeat) in a month is total coliform positive, you must notify the State by the end of the next business day and notify the public within
30 days.
(b) If ANY sample tests positive for fecal coliforms or E. coliyou must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).
(c) If a routine total coliform-positive sample is followed by a repeat sample that tests positive for fecal coliform or E. coli, or a routine sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms
or E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliform-positive sample, you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed),
and notify the public WITHIN 24 HOURS.
(d) Note: Fourth repeat sample for systems taking one routine sample per month.
Immediate Follow-up Actions.
A. Notification B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
-------
Appendix A
Developing a Sample Siting Plan1
1Text adapted from John Potts, "Coliform Sampling Plans Reduce Errors," Oregon.PIPELINE, spring 1994.
A-1
-------
Introduction
The TCR requires each small community drinking water system to
sample for conforms according to a written plan, which must be made
available to the Primacy Agency, typically the State drinking water agency.
Having a written sample collection protocol helps ensure that all sampling
is done correctly, even when assignments of water system personnel
change.
The plan specifies where in the distribution system routine samples will be
drawn in order to ensure that they are "representative" of the water
supplied to every customer. Representative samples that accurately reflect
the quality of the finished water are crucial because, if conforms are in the
water supply, they may not be found uniformly throughout the distribution
system. The sampling plan also designates repeat sampling sites to be
used if a sample drawn from a routine sampling point tests positive for
conforms. Remember, the purpose of sampling is not to draw "clean"
samples, but to identify any coliform contamination so it can be dealt with
promptly. Because of this, it is important to identify dead ends and trouble
spots in the distribution system for sampling locations.
Developing a Sampling Plan
The details of a sampling plan depend on the characteristics of the
system for which it is developed and on the requirements of the Primacy
Agency. (Contact your Primacy Agency for its complete requirements. A
list of Primacy Agencies can be found at the end of this section.) Factors
to consider when preparing a site sampling plan include:
The location and type of water sources, treatment facilities,
storage tanks, pressure stations, and service connections.
The location of dead-end pipes, main and branch lines, loops, and
other aspects of the piping system's configuration.
Cross connection hazards and shared connections.
Areas of low water pressure and slow water movement.
Varying population densities.
Hydrants (for flushing schedule).
A-2
-------
A Basic Site Sampling Plan
A basic site sampling plan may have three components: a map of the
distribution system; a narrative description of the plan; and a
maintenance program.
Distribution system map: This map provides the layout of the
distribution system and shows:
All water sources and their entry points into the distribution
system.
The area served by each water source (if the water from the
various sources is not combined prior to distribution).
Treatment facilities, such as filtration and disinfection.
Storage tanks and reservoirs.
Pressure reducing stations.
Booster pump stations.
Pressure zones.
Routine sampling sites.
Repeat sampling sites.
Interconnections and critical valves.
Pipe material and size.
Hydrant locations.
Location of blowoffs/flushing points.
Dead-end mains and/or known trouble areas.
Plan narrative: The description of the site sampling plan includes:
Water system name and contact person(s).
Water system seven-digit identification number.
Water source name(s).
Storage/reservoir volume.
Treatment plant description (process used, source[s] treated,
location, etc.).
Total population served.
Number of service connections.
Number and area of pressure zones, with population and service
connections in each zone.
Description of sampling rotation within a community, area, etc.
This is especially important if the site plan incorporates large
areas such as rural water systems.
A-3
-------
Maintenance program: This section of the site sampling plan identifies:
The minimum number of routine samples required per monitoring
period.
The number of routine sample sites needed to represent all
distribution areas and all areas of concern.
The location of all routine sampling sites needed to cover all areas
in the distribution system. (The address of each site should be
listed here, and the sites should be identified on the distribution
system map.)
Sample collection schedule (for systems that collect more than
one sample per month). Samples should be collected at regular
intervals, not all on the same day.
Monthly rotation cycle (if applicable). It is desirable to rotate
through each sample site three or four times a year.
The schedule for flushing the distribution system's lines. This
procedure is vital in reducing the possibility of coliform and biofilm
buildup. Systems that have dead-end lines should flush regularly.
The name and telephone number of the person who prepared the
site sampling plan.
The date the site sampling plan was prepared (and revision date if
applicable).
Sampling Sites
Sampling sites specified in the sampling plan should be selected carefully
throughout the distribution system to represent the varying conditions that
occur there. (See Figure 1 on the next page for examples.) It is especially
important to identify and include in the sampling plan areas that may
A description of the five routine sampling sites that will be used for adversely affect the microbiological quality of the water. These include
routine sampling the following month after the presence of
conforms has been confirmed.
A brief description of the sample collection techniques used. This
will help avoid false positives due to improper collection
techniques.
cross connections, varying population densities, low-pressure zones, sites
of deteriorating water mains, shared connections, and areas of low-
velocity water movement.
Customers' faucets and specially installed sampling taps are the two most
common types of sampling sites. Customer faucets may not always be
A-4
-------
conveniently accessible. Also, samples from a customer's faucet may not
accurately reflect distribution system conditions, for reasons that have to
do with the customer's plumbing, which are not under the water supplier's
control. If customers' faucets are to be used, each faucet should be
examined carefully to ensure its suitability. Some examples of
undesirable conditions are:
Swivel-type faucets that have a single valve for hot and cold
water.
Figure 1
Examples of Sampling Locations Based on System Characteristics
i
Providing samples that are representative of all the conditions in
a system that has a number of branch lines with dead-ends, such
as this one, might require four sampling locations: A gives a
sample representative of conditions along the distribution system's
main line. B provides a sample that represents conditions along
one of the branch lines. Samples taken at C show conditions near
the dead-end of the main line, while samples from D are
representative of conditions near the dead-end of a branch line.
(Adapted from A Guide to Bacteriological Sampling of Public Water
Supplies, Virginia Department of Health, January 7, 1998.)
Well
Looped distribution systems such as this one allow water to flow
freely in all directions. In this system, only two sampling locations
are necessary to provide samples representative of the main loop
(A) and the branch loop (B) conditions. (Adapted from A Guide to
Bacteriological Sampling of Public Water Supplies, Virginia
Department of Health, January 7, 1998.)
-A-5-
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Faucets that have leaky packing material around the stem.
Faucets that supply areas, such as janitorial or commercial sinks,
where bacterial contamination is likely.
Faucets close to or below ground level.
Faucets that point upward.
Faucets that have threads on the inside of their spouts.
Faucets that have aerators. (If such faucets are to be used, the
aerators must be removed before a sample is collected.)
To avoid the problems inherent with customer faucets, many water
suppliers collect water samples for coliform analysis from special taps
connected directly to distribution pipes. These special taps can be simply
a faucet at the end of a riser pipe connected to the distribution line, or a
more sophisticated manufactured sampling station installed at the water
meter or into the distribution main.
A-6
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Safe Drinking Water Act Primacy Agencies
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Water Supply Branch
Alaska Division of Environmental Health
Drinking Water and Wastewater
Program
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Division
Arkansas Department of Health
Division of Engineering
California Department of Health Services
Division of Drinking Water and
Environmental Management
Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment
Drinking Water Program
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Water Supplies Section
Delaware Health and Social Services
Division of Public Health
District of Columbia U.S. EPA Region 3
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Drinking Water Section
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
Hawaii Department of Health
Environmental Management Division
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Division of Environmental Quality
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Division of Public Water Supplies
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Office of Water Management
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Water Supply Section
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Bureau of Water
Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
Division of Water
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
Division of Environmental & Health
Services
Maine Department of Human Services
Division of Health Engineering
Maryland Department of the Environment
Public Drinking Water Program
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Drinking Water Program
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Drinking Water & Radiological
Protection Division
Minnesota Department of Health
Drinking Water Protection Section
Mississippi Department of Health
Division of Water Supply
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Quality
A-7
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Public Water Supply Section
Nebraska Department of HHS Regulation & Licensure
Nevada Department of Human Resources
Bureau of Health Protection Services
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Water Supply Engineering Bureau
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Environmental Regulation
New Mexico Environment Department
Drinking Water Bureau
New York Department of Health
Bureau of Public Water Supply
Protection
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources
Public Water Supply Section
North Dakota Department of Health
Ohio State Environmental Protection Agency
Division of Drinking & Ground Water
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Division
Oregon Department of Human Resources
Drinking Water Program
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Supply Management
Rhode Island Department of Health
Office of Drinking Water Quality
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South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental
Control
Bureau of Water
South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural
Resources
Division of Environmental Regulation
Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
Division of Water Supply
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
Water Utilities Division
Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Drinking Water
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
Water Supply Division
Virginia Department of Health
Division of Water Supply Engineering
A-8
Washington Department of Health
Drinking Water Division
West Virginia Bureau for Public Health
Office of Environmental Health
Services
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Bureau of Water Supply
Wyoming U.S. EPA Region 8
Wyoming Drinking Water Program
Note: States in boldface type have prepared
guidance on Sampling Siting Plans for
systems to use in complying with the
monitoring requirements of the TCR.
f you have any questions on who your
Primacy Agency is, call the U.S. EPA Hotline
at 1-800-426-4791.
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Appendix B
Sample Collection Techniques
Adapted From EPA's "Pocket Sampling Guide for Operators of Small Water Systems"
(EPA814-B-92-001)
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For More Information
Copies of the "Pocket Sampling Guide for
Operators of Small Water Systems" (EPA
814-B-92-001) on which this appendix is
based are available from the Environmental
Resource Information Center (ERIC). The
cost is $8.56 plus $4.00 shipping and
handling. ERIC's telephone number is 1-800-
276-0462. The ERIC document number for
the sampling guide is G-654.
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Sample Containers
Many different sizes and types of sampling containers may be
used for collecting coliform samples. Bottles should be obtained
from labs only, and most labs supply a 125-mL sterilized, plastic
bottle, but you may ask for larger volume plastic or glass bottles
so long as they have been sterilized. Some labs will wrap the
bottle in paper to protect it from contamination. Glass-stoppered
bottles sometimes have foil covering the top for protection. A few
labs may even furnish a single-service, sterilized, polyethylene
bag or bottle containing sodium thiosulfate. The sodium
thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) is a dechlorinating agent which also stops
the disinfection action of chlorine during the sample's transit to the
laboratory, thus providing a more representative picture of the
samples microbial content when the sample was taken.
Remember, you are sampling the water to determine what the water is like coming out of the consumer's tap at the time you
took the sample, and not what it is like during transit to the laboratory. Do not rinse contents from the container!
B-3
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Sample Procedure
The lab that supplies the sampling containers normally provides instructions with the kit for the type of monitoring you are doing. Refer to those
instructions when provided.
The following instructions and photos illustrate the general sampling procedures for collecting coliform analysis monitoring samples.
1. Assemble all of the sampling supplies before you begin. A dechlorinating agent is needed and may need to be furnished (if not already
supplied with the containers) when sampling chlorinated waters (such as those found in the distribution system). The containers are sterilized, so
handle them carefully. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling supplies.
2. Go to the sampling location(s) specified in the sampling plan. Representative sampling
locations are located in the distribution system and are accessible during normal business
hours. Examples may include hospitals, city buildings, pump stations, and restaurants. The
tap should be clean, free of attachments (hoses, etc.), and in good repair (no leaks). If
possible, avoid drinking fountains and faucets that have swivel necks.
B-4
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3. If possible, remove any aerators,
strainers, or hoses that are present,
because they may harbor bacteria. (You
may not be able to remove the aerator
or find a non-swivel faucet.)
4. Open the cold water tap for about 2
to 3 minutes before collecting the
sample. (You may want to time this
step-3 minutes is a long time.) This
clears the service line.
5. Fill out label, tag, and lab form in
waterproof ink. Make sure the label is
dry before writing on the label.
6. Adjust the flow to about the width of
a pencil. Check for steady flow. Do not
change the water flow once you have
started sampling. It could dislodge
microbial growth.
The following steps describe
collection procedures using both
the bottle and the bag.
7. Remove the bottle cap (stopper, etc.),
or open the plastic bag. Be careful not
to touch the inside with your fingers.
Then position the bottle or bag under the
water flow. Hold the bottle in one hand
and the cap in the other.
Do not lay the cap down or put it in a pocket!
Also, take care not to contaminate the sterile
bottle (or bag) or cap with your fingers or permit
the faucet to touch the inside of the bottle or
bag.
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DO NOT RINSE OUT THE BOTTLE OR BAG
BEFORE COLLECTING THE SAMPLE!
8. Fill the bottle to the shoulder or to
about 1/4 inch from the top. If using a
plastic bag sampling container, fill it to
the marked fill line.
9. Place the cap on the bottle and screw
it down tightly. If using a plastic bag,
pull the wire tabs and whirl the bag three
times for a tight seal. Samples should be
iced immediately, if possible.
10. Turn the tap off. Replace the aerator,
strainer, or hose.
11. Check that the information on the
label is correct.
12. Complete any additional lab forms
that came with the sample bottle,
including the chain-of-custody form (if
required), with the necessary
information.
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13. The samples must reach the
laboratory within 30 hours of
collection. It is recommended that all
samples be refrigerated or iced using
"blue" ice (cooled to about 4° to 10° C).
All samples received in the laboratory
must be analyzed on the day of receipt.
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