UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GUIDANCE FROM HOTLINE COMPENDIUM WSGH43 Date Issued: July 1992 SUBJECT: Geographic Distribution of Sample Sites for Lead and Copper SOURCE: Jeff Cohen The Final Lead and Copper Rule (56 FR 26460) does not clearly define the geographic distribution required for tier one sampling sites. The only language addressing the distribution of sample sites is found in the preamble of the Lead and Copper Rule on page 26518, which refers to tier two monitoring sites after systems have exhausted their tier one sites. The preamble indicates that the tier two sampling sites should be "... as equally distributed as possible..." when all the tier one sites have been used. However, the Rule does not explain what geographic distribution of sampling sites is required for the tier one samples. Would a public water supply system better meet the requirements of the Final Lead and Copper Rule if the tier one samples sites were close together, or if they were spread out over the area served by the water system? Response: No specific geographic distribution requirement for tier one sampling sites is placed on the regulated community. The intention of the Lead and Copper Rule is to obtain samples over the widest and most representative geographic distribution possible while maintaining compliance with the rule. ------- |