xvEPA
gSsssn^ecoH Analytical Methods Approved for Compliance Monitoring under the
Revised Total 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 141.852(a)(5).
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.
§141.852 - Analytical Methods and Laboratory Certification
(a)	Analytical methodology
(1)	The standard sample volume required for analysis, regardless of analytical method used, is 100 mL.
(2)	Systems need only determine the presence or absence of total coliforms and E. coli; a determination of density is not required.
(3)	The time from sample collection to initiation of test medium incubation may not exceed 30 hours. Systems are encouraged but not required to hold
samples below 10°C during transit.
(4)	If water having residual chlorine (measured as free, combined, or total chlorine) is to be analyzed, sufficient sodium thiosulfate (Na2S203) must be added
to the sample bottle before sterilization to neutralize any residual chlorine in the water sample. Dechlorination procedures are addressed in Section
9060A.2 of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (20th and 21st editions).
(5)	Systems must conduct total coliform and E.coli analyses in accordance with one of the analytical methods in the table at §141.852 or one of the
alternative methods listed in Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141.
The procedures must be done in accordance with the documents listed at paragraph (c) of §141.852 or one of the alternative methods listed in Appendix A to
Subpart C of Partl41. 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 paragraph (c) of §141.852 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.
(b)	Laboratory certification- systems must have all compliance samples required under this subpart analyzed by a laboratory certified by EPA or a primacy
state to analyze drinking water samples. The laboratory used by the system must be certified for each method (and associated contaminant(s)) used for
compliance monitoring analyses under this rule.
(c)	Incorporate by reference - The standards required in §141.852 (a) are incorporated by reference into the regulation.
Office of Water (MS - 4606 M)
EPA 821-F-17-004
February 2017

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Page 2 of 10
Contaminant
Total Coliforms - lactose fermentation methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9221 B.l, B.2
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
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
9221 B.l, B.2
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
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
9221 B.l, B.2
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
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
9221 B.l, B.2-99
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.
9221 B.l, B.2-06
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

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Page 3 of 10
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9221 D.l, D.2
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
A multiple tube enumerative format, as described in Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 9221,
is approved for this method for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
9221 D.l, D.2
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
A multiple tube enumerative format, as described in Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 9221,
is approved for this method for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
9221 D.l, D.2-
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 multiple tube enumerative format, as described in Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 9221,
is approved for this method for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
Total coliforms - membrane filtration methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9222 B, C
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
All filtration series must begin with membrane filtration
equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving.
9222 B, C
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
All filtration series must begin with membrane filtration
equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving.
9222 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
All filtration series must begin with membrane filtration
equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving.
1604
EPA
Method 1604: Total Coliforms
and Escherichia coli in Water by
Membrane Filtration Using a
Simultaneous Detection
Technique (Ml Medium),
September 2002
2002
All filtration series must begin with membrane filtration
equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving.
m-
ColiBlue24®Test
Hach Company
Membrane Filtration Method m-
ColiBlue24® Broth, Revision 2,
August 17, 1999
1999
All filtration series must begin with membrane filtration
equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving.

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Page 4 of 10
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
Chromocult
EMD Millipore
Chromocult® Coliform Agar
Presence/Absence Membrane
Filter Test Method for Detection
and Identification of Coliform
Bacteria and Escherichia coli for
Finished Waters, November
2000, Version 1.0
2000
All filtration series must begin with membrane filtration
equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving.
Total coliforms - enzyme substrate methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9223 B
Colilert®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
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
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
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
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
9223 B
Colisure®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24
hours.

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Page 5 of 10
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9223 B
Colisure®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24
hours.
9223 B
Colisure®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24
hours.
9223 B-97
Colisure®
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
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24
hours.
9223 B-04
Colisure®
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
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24
hours.
9223 B
Colilert-18®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert-18®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert-18®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.
9223 B-04
Colilert-18®
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
2004
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence
determination under this regulation.

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Page 6 of 10
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes


Subpart C of Part 141 are
approved.


E*Colite®
Charm Sciences
Charm E*Colite™
Presence/Absence Test for
Detection and Identification of
Coliform Bacteria and Escherichia
coli in Drinking Water,
January 9,1998
1998

Readycult®
EMD Millipore
Readycult® Coliforms 100
Presence/Absence Test for
Detection and Identification of
Coliform Bacteria and Escherichia
coli in Finished Waters,
January 2007,
Version 1.1
2007

Modified
Colitag®
CPI International, Inc.
Modified Colitag™ Test Method
for the Simultaneous Detection
off. coli and other Total
Coliforms in water (ATP D05-
0035), August 28, 2009
2009

Tecta EC/TC
Veolia Water Solutions and
Technologies
Tecta™ EC/TC medium and the
Tecta™ Instrument: A
Presence/Absence Method for
Simultaneous Detection of Total
Coliforms and Escherichia coli (E.
coli) in Drinking Water, May 22,
2014, Version 1.0
2014

Contaminant
Escherichia coli - Procedure (following Lactose Fermentation Methods):
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9221 F.l
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998

9221 F.l
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005


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Page 7 of 10
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9221 F.l
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012

9221 F.l-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

Contaminant
Escherichia coli -
Partition methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9222 G.lc(2)
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998

9222 G.lc(2)
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005

9222 G.lc(l)
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998

9222 G.lc(l)
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005

Contaminant
Escherichia coli - membrane filtration methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
1604
EPA
Method 1604: Total Coliforms
and Escherichia coli in Water by
Membrane Filtration Using a
Simultaneous Detection
Technique (Ml Medium),
September 2002
2002
All filtration series must begin with membrane filtration
equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving.
m-
ColiBlue24®Test
Hach Company
Membrane Filtration Method m-
ColiBlue24® Broth, Revision 2,
August 17, 1999
1999
All filtration series must begin with membrane filtration
equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving.

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Page 8 of 10
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
Chromocult
EMD Millipore
Chromocult® Coliform Agar
Presence/Absence Membrane
Filter Test Method for Detection
and Identification of Coliform
Bacteria and Escherichia coli for
Finished Waters, November
2000, Version 1.0
2000
All filtration series must begin with membrane filtration
equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving.
Contaminant
Escherichia coli - enzyme substrate methods:
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9223 B
Colilert®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert® B-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
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert® 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
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
9223 B
Colisure®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24 hours.

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Page 9 of 10
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
9223 B
Colisure®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24 hours.
9223 B
Colisure®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24 hours.
9223 B-97
Colisure®
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
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24 hours.
9223 B
Colisure® 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
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
Colisure results may be read after an incubation time of 24 hours.
9223 B
Colilert-18®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 20th Edition
1998
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert-18®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 21st Edition
2005
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
9223 B
Colilert-18®
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 22nd Edition
2012
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.
9223 B-04
Colilert-18®
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
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this
method are approved for use in presence-absence determination
under this regulation.

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Page 10 of 10
Method
Organization
Reference Title
Date
Notes
E*Colite®
Charm Sciences
Charm E*Colite™
Presence/Absence Test for
Detection and Identification of
Coliform Bacteria and
Escherichia coli in Drinking
Water,
January 9,1998
1998

Readycult®
EMD Millipore
Readycult® Coliforms 100
Presence/Absence Test for
Detection and Identification of
Coliform Bacteria and
Escherichia coli in Finished
Waters,
January 2007,
Version 1.1
2007

Modified
Colitag®
CPI International, Inc.
Modified Colitag™ Test Method
for the Simultaneous Detection
of E. coli and other Total
Coliforms in water (ATP D05-
0035), August 28, 2009
2009

Tecta EC/TC
Veolia Water Solutions and
Technologies
Tecta™ EC/TC medium and the
Tecta™ Instrument: A
Presence/Absence Method for
Simultaneous Detection of Total
Coliforms and Escherichia coli (E.
coli) in Drinking Water, May 22,
2014, Version 1.0
2014


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