A Small Systems Guide to the

Total Coliform RuleMonitoring Drinking Water to Protect Public HealthUnited StatesEnvironmental ProtectionAgency

Office of Water(4606)

EPA 816-R-01-017AJune 2001
Printed on Recycled Paper
ii

Who Is this Guide For?

se by “community water systems” serving 3,300 or fewer persons. The term “community water systems” includes any

ership) serving at least 25 year-round residents or 15 year-round service connections. Typical systems finding this guide

 Mobile Home Parks Home Owners Associations Small Towns Rural Water Districts Small Private Systems Tribal Systems

de may be obtained by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. The guide also may be downloaded from

Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater.
iii

 does not substitute for EPA regulations, nor is this document regulation in itself. Thus, it cannot impose legally binding

s, or the regulated community, and may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances.

s Guide? .................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Water ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2

.................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Every Rule!!!............................................................................................................................................................. 15

sheets ....................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Worksheets .............................................................................................................................................................. 17

 Results .................................................................................................................................................................... 20

thly Monitoring Worksheets”.................................................................................................................................... 32

a Sample Siting Plan ............................................................................................................................................... A-1

ection Techniques ................................................................................................................................................... B-1
1

Learn from This Guide?

small-system operators, like these

erving an Alaska Native Village,

 Rule.

As a drinking water system operator, your most important job is protecting thehealth of your customers. This guide will help you do that job by providing informationabout:

 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 collectsamples, as well as step-by-step instructions for sample collection.

bes minimum Federal requirements under the Total Coliform Rule. Some States may have specific or additional

monitoring forms. Be sure to check with your State drinking water agency regarding their specific requirements.

 Tribal lands, in Wyoming, or in the District of Columbia should check with their EPA Regional office.)
2

afe Drinking Water

Drinking water is one of the oldest known public health concerns. Preventing waterbornedisease 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 arediarrhea, cramps, nausea, and other symptoms. But in some cases—particularly amongthe young, the elderly, and ill people—waterborne diseases can lead to death.The risk of waterborne disease is greatly reduced when the water system is designedand operated to provide multiple barriers of protection. The key barriers are:

 Source water protection Treatment Distribution system integrity Monitoring and public awareness 

ple with ailments are particularly

ases.
3

d Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in

and Mid-size Systems in the U.S.:

1986 - 1998

No. of Cases Year of Outbreak Cause of Illness

es) 5 7 ,000 1 s 98 Norwalk-like viru

0 

3 2 ,00 199 Cryptosporidium

0 

1 8 ,40 199 Cryptosporidium

0 

9 8 0 198 Shigella sonnei

0 

9 9 0 1 s 98 Norwalk-like viru

3 

5 7 1 198 Giardia

485 (4 deaths) 1993 Salmonella

3 

2 9 4 198 E. coli

7 

1 8 5 199 E. coli

0 

1 7 0 199 Giardia

3 

8 8 199 Shigella sonnei

0 

5 7 199 Giardia

2 

3 8 199 Cryptosporidium78 

199 Giardia

38 

199 E. coli

E. coli Outbreaks in Small and Mid-size

Systems: 1999 and 2000

Location No. of Cases Year of Outbreak Cause of Illness

Walkerton,

Ontario

Approx. 1,4007 deaths 2000 E. coli

Washington

County, NY

Approx 1,0002 deaths 1999 E. coli
4

feed near a drinking water well, the

ome contaminated with pathogens.

Source Water ProtectionDoing everything possible to keep pathogens out of the source water is a good first lineof defense.Septic systems, livestock feeding operations, and the use of fresh manure as fertilizerare all potential sources of ground water contamination. Wells must be sited andconstructed according to State codes in order to minimize the potential forcontamination.Surface water can become contaminated from many sources, including incomplete orineffective wastewater treatment, stormwater runoff, agricultural feedlots, or simply thenormal activity of wildlife in the watershed.
5

TreatmentTreatment to remove or inactivate pathogens (disease-causing microbes) may benecessary if the source water is vulnerable to contamination. Depending upon the natureof the source water, multiple levels of treatment may be required. Various types offiltration (with or without preliminary chemical treatment) and/or disinfection arecommonly used.

for a small ground water system.

ncluding sedimentation, which is

rces such as surface waters, whose
6

bution system components can

ntamination.

Distribution System IntegrityEven if source water is treated to remove or inactivate pathogens, customers may stillbe at risk from contamination entering the distribution system. Examples of typicalproblems 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 suchproblems in your distribution system and ensure that they are fixed.
7

, drinking water is not sterile. It

ria. However, drinking water must

n bacteria which could indicate that

 presence of pathogens (disease

Monitoring and Public AwarenessThe importance of regular monitoring cannot be overemphasized. So much ofyour water system is underground and hidden from view. The only way to be sureyou are effectively protecting public health is to monitor the quality of waterdelivered to customer taps.Many different pathogens may be present in water. It is not practical to test for themindividually. Instead, we rely on monitoring for indicator organisms. The indicatororganisms we use for monitoring drinking water are total coliforms, fecal coliforms, andEscherichia coli (E. coli).Total coliforms are a group of closely related bacteria that are generally harmless. Theyare natural and common inhabitants of the soil and ambient waters (such as lakes andrivers). They are usually not found in ground water that is free of surface water or fecalcontaminants.Total coliforms are inactivated by treatment or die off naturally in a manner similar tomost bacterial pathogens and many viral pathogens. Therefore, if total coliforms are

found in the distribution system, pathogens could also be present.
8

When total coliforms are present, the system is vulnerable topathogens, whether pathogens are actually present or not.Total coliform testing is relatively inexpensive and easy. Fecalcoliforms are a subset of total coliforms. E. coli is a subset offecal coliforms. Fecal coliforms and E. coli are good indicators

of fresh fecal contamination and of the potential presence of waterborne pathogensassociated with fecal contamination. Certain strains of E. coli are themselves

pathogenic.Regular coliform testing is essential to protecting the health of your customers.Detection of total coliforms is a warning sign that your system may be vulnerableto fecal contamination. You should attempt to determine the source of the totalcoliform contamination and address the problem.Detection of fecal coliforms or E. coli is a danger alarm that your system iscontaminated with fecal waste. You must take immediate steps to inform andprotect your customers.The next section of this workbook discusses the specific requirements of the TotalColiform Rule for monitoring as well as for the specific steps you must take if you detecttotal coliforms or fecal coliforms/E. coli.
9

oliform Rule

The Total Coliform Rule (TCR) is the Federal regulation that sets maximum contaminantlevels (MCLs*) and monitoring requirements for coliforms in drinking water. It requiresevery regulated system to periodically collect samples and analyze them for coliforms.The number of routine samples required each month depends on system size (see chartbelow). Samples must be collected according to a written “Sample Siting Plan.”Appendix A describes how to develop a sample siting plan. Appendix B describessample collection techniques.

e presence of coliforms must be

n Sample Siting Plan.

el of a contaminant in water delivered to any user of a public water system. MCLs are enforceable standards.

Population Served Routine Samples per Month

2 1 5 - 1,000

1 2 ,001 - 2,500

2 3 ,501 - 3,300
10

e presence of total coliforms is a warning sign that your system is vulnerable to contamination. It does not necessarily mean

ontaminated.

ples test positive for the presence of total coliforms, you must:

a set of repeat samples per positive routine sample to assess the extent of the problem, and

mples the next month.

tive sample, a set of repeat samples must be collected within 24 hours of the system being notified of the positive result.

peat samples required is based on the number of routine samples collected. See the table below to determine the number

Population Served Repeat Samples per Positive Routine Sample

2 4 5 - 1,000

1 3 ,001 - 2,500

2 3 ,501 - 3,300
11

Repeat Sample LocationsOne of the repeat samples must be collected from the original sample site; 1 within5 service connections upstream; 1 within 5 service connections downstream; and forsystems serving 25-1,000 persons a fourth repeat sample is required and should becollected from wherever the system believes it would best help identify the sourceor area of contamination.The main reason for this repeat sampling is to determine whether the contaminationis in the plumbing of an individual building or in the distribution system itself. If arepeat sample is total coliform-positive at the same service connection, but negativeat upstream and downstream service connections, the State may investigate todetermine if it is appropriate to waive the total coliform-positive sample as being aplumbing system problem in the individual building.

mples

' ' '''''

Downstream

Original

Sample

Site

➤ 

}➤}

}

One Repeat

One Repeat

e site as the routine sample.

5 service connections upstream.

5 service connections downstream.

mple is required, the system should

rever it feels it will help identify the

n.

(Coliforms

are

present)
12

Note: If any routine or repeat sample is total coliform-positive, the positivesample is tested either for the presence of fecal coliforms or E. coli. The test isdone automatically by the lab and does not require an additional sample.A potential urgent health risk exists if any sample, routine or repeat, testspositive for fecal coliform/E. coli. When you are notified by your laboratory ofany sample testing positive for fecal coliforms or E. coli, you must notify theState by the end of the day you are notified, or before the end of the nextbusiness day if the state office is closed.
13

Acute MCLIf you have a total coliform-positive routine sample followed by a fecal coliform or E.coli-positive repeat sample (or a fecal coliform or E. coli-positive routine sample

followed by a total coliform-positive repeat sample), this is a serious potential healthrisk. 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 MCLA 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 MCLviolation. When you are notified by your laboratory of the repeat or second routine totalcoliform-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.*

on that reflects new U.S. EPA public notification requirements. See Public Notification Requirements: A Quick Reference Guide

-00-023) for more information.
14

In the month following detection of total coliforms in any routine or repeat sample, youare required to collect five routine samples. If none of these tests positive for thepresence of total coliforms, you may resume collecting your usual number of routinesamples the next month.A total coliform-positive sample is cause for concern. However, if a set of repeatsamples that month and five routine samples the next month are all negative, and yourother multiple barriers to contamination are in good shape, you can have confidence thatyour water is safe.
15

Exceptions to Every Rule!!!

vides States with flexibility to alter certain requirements, on a case-by-case basis, in response to local circumstances. This

vide exhaustive detail on all the potential exceptions to the basic requirements we have thus far described. However, as a

should be aware of the most significant possible exceptions.

al Coliform-Positive Samples. Under certain limited and specific circumstances, the State may invalidate a sample. You

 this flexibility to mean that total coliform-positive samples are not a serious matter! Rather, this flexibility exists to allow the

 sample in those rare instances when it is justified to do so.

ng. Systems serving 25-1,000 persons may, under very specific conditions, be allowed to collect 1 sample per quarter rather

month. States may only allow this reduced monitoring if a system has no history of coliform contamination and if it is supplied

d ground water source and is free of sanitary defects.
16

onitoring Worksheets

monthly monitoring worksheets to help you keep track of your Total Coliform Rule sampling and sample results. (While the

ented here can be a useful management tool, system operators are reminded that the original laboratory results must be

worksheets can help you ensure that you collect the right number of routine samples each month. These worksheets will also

llect the appropriate number of repeat samples in the event that any routine samples are total coliform-positive. Finally, the

ganize your follow-up if you have a monthly MCL violation (if you have more than one routine and/or repeat samples that are

u have an acute MCL violation (triggered by fecal coliform/E. coli positives).

 how to use these worksheets. A series of examples is included showing how the worksheets would be filled out in various

ow-up would be needed. Finally, a 12-month supply of blank worksheets is provided. Additional worksheets are available by

ater Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 and requesting publication number EPA 816-R-01-017B.

e Primacy Agencies (typically the State regulatory agency, except in a few cases) may have their own monitoring worksheets

ng water systems are required to complete. The worksheets contained in this section should not replace monitoring forms

ency.
17

TCR Monthly Monitoring Worksheets

Total Coliform Rule — Monthly Monitoring Worksheet

 Month and Year _________________________________________________

Date

Sample

Collected

Routine Sample Location

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).

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)

 1.

+ / - + / -

 1.1 + / - + / -

 1.2 + / - + / -

 1.3 + / - + / -

 1.4 (d) + / - + / -

 2.

+ / - + / -

 2.1 + / - + / -

 2.2 + / - + / -

 2.3 + / - + / -

 3.

+ / - + / -

 3.1 + / - + / -

 3.2 + / - + / -

 3.3 + / - + / -

 4.

+ / - + / -

 4.1 + / - + / -

 4.2 + / - + / -

 4.3 + / - + / -

 5.

+ / - + / -

 5.1 + / - + / -

 5.2 + / - + / -

 5.3 + / - + / -

(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. 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 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

1 1 2 3

4A

5

4B 4C
18

Using the TCR Monthly Monitoring Worksheets

Step #1

Step #2

Step #3

Step #4

Step #4A

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 coliforms are

present or absent in a given sample. Circle “+” if

coliforms are present, or circle “-” if coliforms 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 coliforms 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 coliforms or E. coli are present, or

circle “-” if fecal coliforms or E. coli are absent. Note: If

a routine total coliform test sample indicates the

absence of coliforms, neither “+” or “-” should be

circled since a fecal coliform or E. coli test was not

performed.

Repeat Sampling

• If any one of the routine total coliform samples shows

the presence of coliforms, 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 coliforms 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).

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.
19

Indicate repeat total coliform test results

• Enter date when laboratory results became known to

the system.

• Lab analysis results for total coliforms will be reported

as either present or absent in a given sample. Circle

“+” if coliforms are present, or circle “-” if coliforms are

absent.

Indicate repeat fecal coliform or E. coli test results

• Any repeat sample that shows the presence of

coliforms will also be tested for the presence of fecal

coliforms or E. coli by the laboratory.

• Lab analysis results for fecal coliforms or E. coli will be

reported as either present or absent in a given sample.

Circle “+” if fecal coliforms or E. coli are present, or

circle “-” if fecal coliforms or E. coli are absent. Note: If

a repeat total coliform test sample indicates the

absence of coliforms, 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.

Step #4B

Step #4C

Step #5

If ANY sample (routine or repeat) tests positive

for fecal coliforms 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 coliforms or E. coli, or a routine

sample that tests positive for fecal coliforms or

E. coli is followed by a repeat total coliformpositive 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.
20

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.
21

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.
22

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 coliforms are absent. No further action is

required. Normal routine testing will continue in the following month.
23

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

 Month and Year _________________________________________________

Date

Sample

Collected

Routine Sample Location

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).

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)

 1.

+ / - + / -

 1.1 + / - + / -

 1.2 + / - + / -

 1.3 + / - + / -

 1.4 (d) + / - + / -

 2.

+ / - + / -

 2.1 + / - + / -

 2.2 + / - + / -

 2.3 + / - + / -

 3.

+ / - + / -

 3.1 + / - + / -

 3.2 + / - + / -

 3.3 + / - + / -

 4.

+ / - + / -

 4.1 + / - + / -

 4.2 + / - + / -

 4.3 + / - + / -

 5.

+ / - + / -

 5.1 + / - + / -

 5.2 + / - + / -

 5.3 + / - + / -

(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. 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 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

8/6/01 123 Main Street

August 2001

8/9/01
24

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 coliforms, so repeat sampling

was done. The three repeat samples indicated no further total coliform,

fecal coliform, or E. coli-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

coliforms are absent, then the system can resume its normal two routine

samples per month schedule in November.
25

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 _________________________________________________

Date

Sample

Collected

Routine Sample Location

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).

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)

 1.

+ / - + / -

 1.1 + / - + / -

 1.2 + / - + / -

 1.3 + / - + / -

 1.4 (d) + / - + / -

 2.

+ / - + / -

 2.1 + / - + / -

 2.2 + / - + / -

 2.3 + / - + / -

 3.

+ / - + / -

 3.1 + / - + / -

 3.2 + / - + / -

 3.3 + / - + / -

 4.

+ / - + / -

 4.1 + / - + / -

 4.2 + / - + / -

 4.3 + / - + / -

 5.

+ / - + / -

 5.1 + / - + / -

 5.2 + / - + / -

 5.3 + / - + / -

(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. 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 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

9/10/01

9/10/01 789 South Street

9/13/01

9/13/01

9/13/01

456 North Street

452 North Street

460 North Street

September 2001

9/12/01

9/12/01

9/17/01

9/17/01

9/17/01

456 North Street
26

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 coliforms, but the

corresponding fecal result showed the absence of fecal coliforms. Since

one routine total coliform sample indicated the presence of coliforms,

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 coliforms,

but fecal coliforms were absent from these samples. This constitutes a

monthly MCL violation since more than one sample (routine and/or

repeat) showed that total coliforms are present. The system must

immediately notify the State and also notify the public within 30 days.

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 coliforms are absent, then the system can resume its normal three

routine samples per month schedule in December.
27

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 Coliform Rule — Monthly Monitoring Worksheet

 Month and Year _________________________________________________

Date

Sample

Collected

Routine Sample Location

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).

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)

 1.

+ / - + / -

 1.1 + / - + / -

 1.2 + / - + / -

 1.3 + / - + / -

 1.4 (d) + / - + / -

 2.

+ / - + / -

 2.1 + / - + / -

 2.2 + / - + / -

 2.3 + / - + / -

 3.

+ / - + / -

 3.1 + / - + / -

 3.2 + / - + / -

 3.3 + / - + / -

 4.

+ / - + / -

 4.1 + / - + / -

 4.2 + / - + / -

 4.3 + / - + / -

 5.

+ / - + / -

 5.1 + / - + / -

 5.2 + / - + / -

 5.3 + / - + / -

(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. 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 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

10/9/01

10/9/01

10/9/01

135 East Street

79 West Street

234 Main Street

10/11/01

10/11/01

10/11/01

135 East Street

129 East Street

143 East Street

October 2001

10/11/01

10/11/01

10/11/01

10/15/01

10/15/01

10/15/01
28

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 coliforms and fecal

coliforms are present. Upon receiving these results on November 7, 2001,

the system immediately notified the State that it had detected the

presence of fecal coliforms in the routine sample. Repeat sampling was

done.

Four repeat samples were collected as follow-up to the routine sample.

Two of the four repeat samples showed that total coliforms were present.

Fecal coliforms were absent from the repeat samples. This constitutes an

acute MCL violation since there are fecal coliforms present in a routine

sample and total coliforms are present in a repeat sample. The system

must immediately (within 24 hours of knowing laboratory results) notify

the State and the public.

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 coliforms are absent, then the system can resume its normal one

sample per month schedule in January 2002.
29

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 _________________________________________________

Date

Sample

Collected

Routine Sample Location

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).

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)

 1.

+ / - + / -

 1.1 + / - + / -

 1.2 + / - + / -

 1.3 + / - + / -

 1.4 (d) + / - + / -

 2.

+ / - + / -

 2.1 + / - + / -

 2.2 + / - + / -

 2.3 + / - + / -

 3.

+ / - + / -

 3.1 + / - + / -

 3.2 + / - + / -

 3.3 + / - + / -

 4.

+ / - + / -

 4.1 + / - + / -

 4.2 + / - + / -

 4.3 + / - + / -

 5.

+ / - + / -

 5.1 + / - + / -

 5.2 + / - + / -

 5.3 + / - + / -

(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. 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 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

November 2001

11/5/01 600 North Street

11/9/01

11/8/01

11/8/01

11/8/01

600 North Street

610 North Street

594 North Street

604 North Street

11/7/01

11/8/01

11/9/01

11/9/01

11/9/01
30

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 coliforms are present. Fecal coliforms 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 coliforms,

with one sample also showing that fecal coliforms are present. This

constitutes an acute MCL violation since fecal coliforms 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 coliform samples show that

total coliforms are absent, then the system can resume its normal two

samples per month schedule in February.
31

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 _________________________________________________

Date

Sample

Collected

Routine Sample Location

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).

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)

 1.

+ / - + / -

 1.1 + / - + / -

 1.2 + / - + / -

 1.3 + / - + / -

 1.4 (d) + / - + / -

 2.

+ / - + / -

 2.1 + / - + / -

 2.2 + / - + / -

 2.3 + / - + / -

 3.

+ / - + / -

 3.1 + / - + / -

 3.2 + / - + / -

 3.3 + / - + / -

 4.

+ / - + / -

 4.1 + / - + / -

 4.2 + / - + / -

 4.3 + / - + / -

 5.

+ / - + / -

 5.1 + / - + / -

 5.2 + / - + / -

 5.3 + / - + / -

(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. 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 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

December 2001

12/3/01

12/3/01

402 East Street

500 West Street

12/6/01

12/6/01

12/6/01

402 East Street

410 East Street

396 East Street 12/5/01

12/5/01

12/7/01

12/7/01

12/7/01
32

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

EPA 816-R-01-017B.

12-Month Supply of “Monthly Monitoring Worksheets”
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

tine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

ine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

tine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

ine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

tine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

ine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

tine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

ine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

tine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

ine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

tine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
Monitoring Worksheet

Month and Year

_________________________________________________

Location

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).

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)

+ / - + / -

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 + / - + / -

ine 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

or fecal coliforms or E. coli you must notify the State THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE RESULTS (or the next day if the State office is closed).

tive 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

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),

HOURS.

or systems taking one routine sample per month.

B. Problem Identification C. Corrective Measures Taken
A-1

A

 a Sample Siting Plan1

 “Coliform Sampling Plans Reduce Errors,” Oregon.PIPELINE, spring 1994.
A-2

n

all community drinking water system to

ng to a written plan, which must be made

ency, typically the State drinking water agency.

lection protocol helps ensure that all sampling

n assignments of water system personnel

the distribution system routine samples will be

at they are “representative” of the water

 Representative samples that accurately reflect

ater are crucial because, if coliforms are in the

be found uniformly throughout the distribution

also designates repeat sampling sites to be

m a routine sampling point tests positive for

urpose of sampling is not to draw “clean”

 coliform contamination so it can be dealt with

 is important to identify dead ends and trouble

em for sampling locations.

Developing a Sampling PlanThe details of a sampling plan depend on the characteristics of thesystem for which it is developed and on the requirements of the PrimacyAgency. (Contact your Primacy Agency for its complete requirements. Alist of Primacy Agencies can be found at the end of this section.) Factorsto 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-3

e Sampling Plan

may have three components: a map of the

ive description of the plan; and a

This map provides the layout of the

ws:

nd their entry points into the distribution

 each water source (if the water from the

ot combined prior to distribution).

 such as filtration and disinfection.

eservoirs.

tations.

ns.

tes.

es.

d critical valves.

ze.

 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 largeareas such as rural water systems.
A-4

s section of the site sampling plan identifies:

er of routine samples required per monitoring

ne sample sites needed to represent all

nd all areas of concern.

outine sampling sites needed to cover all areas

stem. (The address of each site should be

sites should be identified on the distribution

chedule (for systems that collect more than

nth). Samples should be collected at regular

the same day.

cle (if applicable). It is desirable to rotate

e site three or four times a year.

 five routine sampling sites that will be used for

e following month after the presence of

confirmed.

f the sample collection techniques used. This

 positives due to improper collection

 The schedule for flushing the distribution system’s lines. This

procedure is vital in reducing the possibility of coliform and biofilmbuildup. 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 SitesSampling sites specified in the sampling plan should be selected carefullythroughout the distribution system to represent the varying conditions thatoccur there. (See Figure 1 on the next page for examples.) It is especiallyimportant to identify and include in the sampling plan areas that mayadversely affect the microbiological quality of the water. These includecross connections, varying population densities, low-pressure zones, sitesof deteriorating water mains, shared connections, and areas of lowvelocity water movement.Customers’ faucets and specially installed sampling taps are the two mostcommon types of sampling sites. Customer faucets may not always be
A-5

so, samples from a customer’s faucet may not

n system conditions, for reasons that have to

bing, which are not under the water supplier’s

s are to be used, each faucet should be

examined carefully to ensure its suitability. Some examples ofundesirable conditions are:

 Swivel-type faucets that have a single valve for hot and cold

water.

A

C B

D

mples that are representative of all the conditions in

 has a number of branch lines with dead-ends, such

might require four sampling locations: A gives a

sentative of conditions along the distribution system’s

provides a sample that represents conditions along

nch lines. Samples taken at C show conditions near

d of the main line, while samples from D are

e of conditions near the dead-end of a branch line.

m A Guide to Bacteriological Sampling of Public Water

ginia Department of Health, January 7, 1998.)

Looped distribution systems such as this one allow water to flowfreely in all directions. In this system, only two sampling locationsare necessary to provide samples representative of the main loop(A) and the branch loop (B) conditions. (Adapted from A Guide toBacteriological Sampling of Public Water Supplies, VirginiaDepartment of Health, January 7, 1998.)

A

B

Well

s of Sampling Locations Based on System Characteristics
A-6

eaky packing material around the stem.

 areas, such as janitorial or commercial sinks,

tamination is likely.

below ground level.

pward.

hreads on the inside of their spouts.

erators. (If such faucets are to be used, the

moved before a sample is collected.)

ent with customer faucets, many water

ples for coliform analysis from special taps

ution pipes. These special taps can be simply

r pipe connected to the distribution line, or a

ctured sampling station installed at the water

n main.
A-7

ng Water Act Primacy Agencies

ironmental Management

Branch

mental Health

 and Wastewater

vironmental Quality

Division

alth

neering

alth Services

king Water and

nagement

blic Health and

 Program

blic Health

 Section

Services

ic Health

egion 3

vironmental Protection

 Section

ural Resources

Protection Division

alth

Management Division

alth and Welfare

ronmental 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 & HealthServices

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 & RadiologicalProtection 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

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Public Water Supply Section

Nebraska Department of HHS Regulation & LicensureNevada 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 HealthOhio 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
A-8

alth & Environmental

er

vironment & Natural

ronmental Regulation

vironment & Conservation

er 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

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 preparedguidance on Sampling Siting Plans forsystems to use in complying with themonitoring requirements of the TCR.If you have any questions on who yourPrimacy Agency is, call the U.S. EPA Hotlineat 1-800-426-4791.
B-1

B

lection Techniques

’s “Pocket Sampling Guide for Operators of Small Water Systems”
B-2

For More InformationCopies of the “Pocket Sampling Guide forOperators of Small Water Systems” (EPA814-B-92-001) on which this appendix isbased are available from the EnvironmentalResource Information Center (ERIC). Thecost is $8.56 plus $4.00 shipping andhandling. ERIC’s telephone number is 1-800-276-0462. The ERIC document number forthe sampling guide is G-654.
B-3

ntainers

es of sampling containers may be

samples. Bottles should be obtained

bs supply a 125-mL sterilized, plastic

arger volume plastic or glass bottles

sterilized. Some labs will wrap the

rom contamination. Glass-stoppered

covering the top for protection. A few

gle-service, sterilized, polyethylene

ium thiosulfate. The sodium

chlorinating agent which also stops

orine during the sample’s transit to the

more representative picture of the

when the sample was taken.

ng the water to determine what the water is like coming out of the consumer’s tap at the time you

hat it is like during transit to the laboratory. Do not rinse contents from the container!
B-4

ocedure

mpling containers normally provides instructions with the kit for the type of monitoring you are doing. Refer to those

nd photos illustrate the general sampling procedures for collecting coliform analysis monitoring samples.

e sampling supplies before you begin. A dechlorinating agent is needed and may need to be furnished (if not already

ntainers) when sampling chlorinated waters (such as those found in the distribution system). The containers are sterilized, so

ly. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling supplies.

g location(s) specified in the sampling plan. Representative sampling

d in the distribution system and are accessible during normal business

ay include hospitals, city buildings, pump stations, and restaurants. The

, free of attachments (hoses, etc.), and in good repair (no leaks). If

king fountains and faucets that have swivel necks.
B-5

e any aerators,

s that are present,

arbor bacteria. (You

remove the aerator

 faucet.)

er tap for about 2

e collecting the

want to time this

 long time.) This

ne.

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 notchange the water flow once you havestarted sampling. It could dislodgemicrobial growth.

The following steps describecollection procedures using boththe bottle and the bag.

7. Remove the bottle cap (stopper, etc.),

or open the plastic bag. Be careful notto touch the inside with your fingers.Then position the bottle or bag under thewater flow. Hold the bottle in one handand the cap in the other.

Do not lay the cap down or put it in a pocket!Also, take care not to contaminate the sterilebottle (or bag) or cap with your fingers or permitthe faucet to touch the inside of the bottle orbag.
B-6

BOTTLE OR BAG

HE SAMPLE!

e shoulder or to

m the top. If using a

g container, fill it to

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 threetimes for a tight seal. Samples should beiced 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 (ifrequired), with the necessaryinformation.
B-7

 reach the

30 hours of

ommended that all

ated or iced using

 about 4° to 10° C).

d in the laboratory

n the day of receipt.
B-8