Monitoring and Reporting Requirements, Part I

Leah Guzman and David EdmundsEnvironmental Program Specialists

Leah.guzman@alaska.govDavid.edmunds@alaska.gov

The Ground Water Rule WorkshopDepartment of Environmental Conservation

September 22-23, 2009

Source Water Monitoring Triggered MonitoringAssessment (Targeted) Monitoring

GWR and TCR – How Will Current TCR Requirements Change under the GWR?

Consecutive Systems Site Sampling Plan Analytical Methods for Fecal Indicators

Presentation Outline

Source Water Monitoring

Triggered Source Water Monitoring All Ground Water Systems that are notified of a +TC sample in

accordance with the TCR (Total Coliform Rule) The GWS must collect at least one ground water source sample

from each source which is utilized at the time of the + TC sample as part of the four repeats required by the TCR regardless of Treatment

Triggered vs. Assessment Monitoring

Assessment (Targeted) MonitoringState has the option of requiring systems that are

vulnerable to microbial contamination to evaluate source water

Historical positive total coliform samplingCould include 1 year of fecal-indicator monitoring

of the source, in addition to the TCR requirements

Triggered vs. Assessment (Targeted) Monitoring(cont’d.)

Existing TCR regulation requires ground water systems to collect four repeats in the distribution system if the routine sample is positive

Under the GWR, ground water systems will need to collect three repeat samples from the distribution system and one from the source

If the Source is positive for E. coli, it will require additional sampling (5 samples from the source) and possible corrective action

GWR and TCR- How Will TCR Requirements Change under the GWR?

7

If a system that purchases ground water from a public water system has a positive TCR sample, the wholesaler must sample from its source water to meet the GWR.

Consecutive System Requirements

8

TCR Sampling 24 hours to get

sample to lab, 48 hour waiver

available for remote systems

Site Sampling PlanThe diagram below provides an example of a system schematic that could be used to determine representative sources and develop a triggered source water monitoring plan, based on where in the distribution system the total coliform-positive sample is found. If approved by the State, the system could sample sources 1 and 2 after a total coliform-positive at Site 1 since Site 1 is in the zone served by those sources. A total coliform-positive at Site 2 would require source sampling from all sources since this area is served by all sources.

Analytical Methods for Fecal Indicators

Total Coliforms

Fecal Coliforms

E. coli

EPA-Approved Methods

Source Water Monitoring Triggered MonitoringAssessment (Targeted) Monitoring

GWR and TCR – How Will Current TCR Requirements Change under the GWR?

Consecutive Systems Site Sampling Plan Analytical Methods for Fecal Indicators

Summary