&EPA
K^,pr°,ec,,°r Analytical Methods Approved for Compliance Monitoring under the
Surface Water Treatment Coliform Rule
Analysis for the following contaminants shall be conducted in accordance with the methods in the following table, or their equivalent as
determined by EPA. The methods and monitoring requirements for these contaminants are specified in 40 CFR 141.74(a)(1). Additional
methods are listed in Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141.
The CFR is the legal reference for approved methods and takes precedent over this table. The table should accurately reflect the
analytical methods information published in 40 CFR 141. If discrepancies are found, please notify the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-
426-4791) so that EPA can correct the table.
§141.74(a)(1)- Analytical and monitoring requirements
(a)(1) Analytical requirements
(1) The time from sample collection to initiation of analysis may not exceed 8 hours. Systems must hold samples below 10 °C during transit.
The procedures must be done in accordance with the documents listed at §141.74(a)(1) or one of the alternative methods listed in Appendix A to Subpart C of
Part 141. For Standard Methods Online, the year in which each method was approved by the Standard Methods Committee is designated by the last two digits
following the hyphen in the method number. The methods listed are the only online versions of the method that maybe used. For vendor methods, the date of
the method listed in §141.74(a)(1) or Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141 is the date/version of the approved method. The methods listed are the only versions
that may be used for compliance with this rule. Laboratories should be careful to use only the approved versions of the methods as product packaging inserts
may not be the same as the approved versions of the methods.
Contaminant
Total Coliforms - lactose fermentation methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9221 A, B, C
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 18th Edition
1992
Lactose broth, as commercially available, may be used in lieu of
lauryl tryptose broth, if the system conducts at least 25 parallel
tests between lactose broth and lauryl tryptose broth using the
water normally tested, and if the findings from this comparison
demonstrate that the false-positive rate and the false-negative
rate for total coliforms, using lactose broth, is less than 10
percent.
Office of Water (MS - 4606 M)
EPA 821-F-17-002
February 2017

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Page 2 of 9
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes




Media should cover inverted tubes at least one-half to two-




thirds after the sample is added.




No requirement exists to run the completed phase on 10




percent of all total coliform-positive confirmed tubes.




Lactose broth, as commercially available, may be used in lieu of




lauryl tryptose broth, if the system conducts at least 25 parallel




tests between lactose broth and lauryl tryptose broth using the




water normally tested, and if the findings from this comparison


Standard Methods for the

demonstrate that the false-positive rate and the false-negative
9221 A, B, C
Standard Methods
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 19th Edition
1995
rate for total coliforms, using lactose broth, is less than 10
percent.
Media should cover inverted tubes at least one-half to two-
thirds after the sample is added.
No requirement exists to run the completed phase on 10
percent of all total coliform-positive confirmed tubes.




Lactose broth, as commercially available, may be used in lieu of




lauryl tryptose broth, if the system conducts at least 25 parallel




tests between lactose broth and lauryl tryptose broth using the




water normally tested, and if the findings from this comparison


Standard Methods for the

demonstrate that the false-positive rate and the false-negative
9221 A, B, C
Standard Methods
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
rate for total coliforms, using lactose broth, is less than 10
percent.
Media should cover inverted tubes at least one-half to two-
thirds after the sample is added.
No requirement exists to run the completed phase on 10
percent of all total coliform-positive confirmed tubes.




Lactose broth, as commercially available, may be used in lieu of




lauryl tryptose broth, if the system conducts at least 25 parallel




tests between lactose broth and lauryl tryptose broth using the




water normally tested, and if the findings from this comparison

Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the

demonstrate that the false-positive rate and the false-negative
9221 A, B, C
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
rate for total coliforms, using lactose broth, is less than 10
percent.
Media should cover inverted tubes at least one-half to two-
thirds after the sample is added.
No requirement exists to run the completed phase on 10
percent of all total coliform-positive confirmed tubes.


Standard Methods for the

Lactose broth, as commercially available, may be used in lieu of
9221 A, B, C
Standard Methods
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
lauryl tryptose broth, if the system conducts at least 25 parallel
tests between lactose broth and lauryl tryptose broth using the

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Page 3 of 9
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes




water normally tested, and if the findings from this comparison
demonstrate that the false-positive rate and the false-negative
rate for total coliforms, using lactose broth, is less than 10
percent.
Media should cover inverted tubes at least one-half to two-
thirds after the sample is added.
No requirement exists to run the completed phase on 10
percent of all total coliform-positive confirmed tubes.
9221 A, B, C-99
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
1999
Lactose broth, as commercially available, may be used in lieu of
lauryl tryptose broth, if the system conducts at least 25 parallel
tests between lactose broth and lauryl tryptose broth using the
water normally tested, and if the findings from this comparison
demonstrate that the false-positive rate and the false-negative
rate for total coliforms, using lactose broth, is less than 10
percent.
Media should cover inverted tubes at least one-half to two-
thirds after the sample is added.
No requirement exists to run the completed phase on 10
percent of all total coliform-positive confirmed tubes.
9221 A, B, C-06
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
2006
Lactose broth, as commercially available, may be used in lieu of
lauryl tryptose broth, if the system conducts at least 25 parallel
tests between lactose broth and lauryl tryptose broth using the
water normally tested, and if the findings from this comparison
demonstrate that the false-positive rate and the false-negative
rate for total coliforms, using lactose broth, is less than 10
percent.
Media should cover inverted tubes at least one-half to two-
thirds after the sample is added.
No requirement exists to run the completed phase on 10
percent of all total coliform-positive confirmed tubes.
Total coliforms - membrane filtration methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9222 A, B, C
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 18th Edition
1992


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Page 4 of 9
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9222 A, B, C
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 19th Edition
1995

9222 A, B, C
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998

9222 A, B, C
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005

9222 A, B, C-97
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
1997

1604
EPA
Method 1604: Total Coliforms
and Escherichia coli in Water by
Membrane Filtration Using a
Simultaneous Detection
Technique (Ml Medium),
September 2002
2002

Total coliforms - enzyme substrate methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9223
Colilert
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 18th Edition
1992

9223
Colilert
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 19th Edition
1995

9223
Colilert
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998

9223
Colilert
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005

9223 B
Colilert
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012


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Page 5 of 9
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9223 B-97
Colilert
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
1997

9223 B-04
Colilert
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
2004

Contaminant
Fecal coliforms - Fecal Coliform Procedure (following Lactose Fermentation Methods):
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9221 E
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 18th Edition
1992
A-l broth may be held up to 7 days in a tightly closed screw cap
tube at 4°C
9221 E
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 19th Edition
1995
A-l broth may be held up to 7 days in a tightly closed screw cap
tube at 4°C
9221 E
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
A-l broth may be held up to 7 days in a tightly closed screw cap
tube at 4°C
9221 E
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
A-l broth may be held up to 7 days in a tightly closed screw cap
tube at 4°C
9221 E
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
A-l broth may be held up to 7 days in a tightly closed screw cap
tube at 4°C
9221 E-99
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
1999
A-l broth may be held up to 7 days in a tightly closed screw cap
tube at 4°C

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Page 6 of 9
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9221 E-06
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
2006
A-l broth may be held up to 7 days in a tightly closed screw cap
tube at 4°C
Contaminant
Fecal coliforms - membrane filtration methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9222 D
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 18th Edition
1992

9222D
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 19th Edition
1995

9222 D
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998

9222D
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005

9222 D
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012

9222 D-97
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
1997

9222 D-06
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
2006


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Page 7 of 9
Contaminant
Heterotrophic bacteria - culture method:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9215 B
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 18th Edition
1992

9215 B
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 19th Edition
1995

9215 B
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998

9215 B
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005

9215 B
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012

9215 B-00
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
2000

9215 B-04
Standard Methods Online
Online version. Approval year is
designated by the last 2 digits.
Only online versions cited in the
regulations or in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.
2004

Contaminant
Heterotrophic bacteria - enzyme substrate methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
Simplate
IDEXX
IDEXX SimPlate™ HPC test
method for Heterotrophs in
Water, November 2000
2000


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Page 8 of 9
Contaminant
Turbidity methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes


Standard Methods for the

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or

2130 B
Standard Methods
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 18th Edition
1992
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
or


Standard Methods for the

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or

2130 B
Standard Methods
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 19th Edition
1995
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
or


Standard Methods for the

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or

2130 B
Standard Methods
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
or


Standard Methods for the

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or

2130 B
Standard Methods
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
or


Standard Methods for the

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or

2130 B
Standard Methods
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
or


Methods for the Determination





of Inorganic Substances in

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or

180.1
EPA
Environmental Samples,
EPA/600/R-93/100,
August 1993
1993
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
or


Great Lakes Instruments

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or

Method 2
Great Lakes Instruments
Method 2, Turbidity,
November 2,1992
1992
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
or


Hach FilterTrak Method 10133,





Revision 2.0,

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or

10133
Hach
Determination of Turbidity by
Laser Nephelometry,
January 2000
2000
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
or


Mitchell Method M5271,





Revision 1.1,

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or

M5271
Leek Mitchell
Determination of Turbidity by
Laser Nephelometry,
March 5, 2009
2009
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
or

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Page 9 of 9
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
M5331
Leek Mitchell
Mitchell Method M5331,
Revision 1.1,
Determination of Turbidity by
LED Nephelometry,
March 5, 2009
2009
Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™ or
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
AMI Turbiwell
Swan Analytische Instrumente AG
Continuous Measurement of
Turbity Using ASWAN AMI
Turbiwell Turbidimeter,
August 2009
2009
Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™ or
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
AQ4500
Thermo Scientific
Orion Method AQ4500, Revision
1.0, Determination of Turbidity
by LED Nephelometry,
May 8, 2009
2009
Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™ or
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
M5331
(Rev. 1.2)
Leek Mitchell
Mitchell Method M5331,
Revision 1.2
Determination of Turbidity by
LED or Laser Nephelometry,
February 2016
2016
Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™ or
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin
10258
Hach Company
Hach Method 10258,
Determination of Turbidity by
360° Nephelometry,
January 2016
2016
Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g., AMCO-AEPA-1 or
equivalent) and stablilized formazin (e.g., Hach StablCal™ or
equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin

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