Section 327 IAC 8-2-8.1 - Repeat monitoring for total coliform bacteriaAuthority: IC 13-13-5; IC 13-14-8-2; IC 13-14-8-7; IC 13-18-3-1; IC 13-18-3-2; IC 13-18-16-8; IC 13-18-16-9
Affected: IC 13-18-2; IC 13-18-16
Sec. 8.1.
(a) If a routine sample is total coliform-positive, the PWS must collect a set of repeat samples within twenty-four (24) hours of being notified by the laboratory or the commissioner of the positive result. The provisions of this section are applicable until all required repeat monitoring under this section and fecal coliform or E. coli testing required under section 8.3 of this rule that was initiated by a total coliform positive sample taken before April 1, 2016, is completed as well as analytical method, reporting, record keeping, public notification, and consumer confidence report requirements associated with that monitoring and testing. The following apply to repeat monitoring: (1) A PWS that collects: (A) more than one (1) routine sample per month must collect no fewer than three (3) repeat samples for each total coliform-positive sample found; or(B) one (1) routine sample per month or fewer must collect no fewer than four (4) repeat samples for each total coliform-positive sample found.(2) The commissioner may extend the twenty-four (24) hour limit up to forty-eight (48) hours on a case-by-case basis if the PWS has a problem beyond its control in collecting the repeat samples within twenty-four (24) hours.(3) The PWS must have: (A) sufficient sample bottles on hand to collect any required repeat samples within twenty-four (24) hours of notification by the laboratory or the commissioner; or(B) the ability to acquire sample bottles and collect samples within twenty-four (24) hours of: (i) notification by the laboratory or the commissioner; or (ii) a positive total coliform sample.(b) The PWS must collect at least one (1) repeat sample from the following locations: (1) The sampling tap where the original total coliform-positive sample was taken.(2) A tap within five (5) service connections upstream of the original sampling site.(3) A tap within five (5) service connections downstream of the original sampling site. If a total coliform-positive sample is at the end of the distribution system, or one (1) service connection away from the end of the distribution system, the commissioner may waive the requirement to collect at least one (1) repeat sample upstream or downstream of the original sampling site.
(c) The PWS must collect all repeat samples on the same day, except that the commissioner may allow a PWS with a single service connection to collect: (1) the required set of repeat samples over a four (4) day period; or(2) a larger volume of repeat samples in one (1) or more sample containers of any size, as long as the total volume collected is at least: (A) four hundred (400) milliliters; or(B) three hundred (300) milliliters for a PWS that collects more than one (1) routine sample per month.(d) If one (1) or more repeat samples in the set is total coliform-positive, the PWS must do the following:(1) Collect an additional set of repeat samples, in the manner specified in subsections (a) through (c), within twenty-four (24) hours of being notified of the positive result, unless the commissioner extends the limit as provided in subsection (a)(2).(2) Repeat the process of collecting additional repeat samples required under subdivision (1) until either:(A) total coliforms are not detected in one (1) complete set of repeat samples; or(B) the PWS: (i) determines that the MCL for total coliforms in section 7 of this rule has been exceeded; and (ii) notifies the commissioner.(e) If a PWS collecting fewer than five (5) routine samples per month has one (1) or more total coliform-positive samples, and the commissioner does not invalidate the samples under section 8(f) of this rule, the PWS must collect at least five (5) routine samples during the next month the PWS provides water to the public, except that the commissioner may waive this requirement to collect five (5) routine samples the next month the PWS provides water to the public if the following conditions are met:(1) The commissioner, or an agent approved by the commissioner, performs a site visit before the end of the next month the PWS provides water to the public. Although a sanitary survey need not be performed, the site visit must be sufficiently detailed to allow the commissioner to determine whether additional monitoring or any corrective action or both is needed. An employee of the PWS may not perform this site visit.(2) The commissioner has determined why the sample was total coliform-positive and establishes that the PWS has corrected the problem or will correct the problem before the end of the next month the PWS serves water to the public. In this case, the following must be met:(A) The decision to waive the following month's additional monitoring requirement must be:(i) documented in writing;(ii) approved and signed by the supervisor of the state official who recommends the decision; and(iii) made available to the: (B) The written documentation required under clause (A)(i) must describe:(i) the specific cause of the total coliform-positive sample; and(ii) what action the PWS has taken or will take to correct this problem.(C) The requirement to collect five (5) routine samples the next month the PWS provides water to the public cannot be waived solely on the grounds that all repeat samples are total coliform-negative.(D) Under this subsection, a PWS must still take at least one (1) routine sample before the end of the next month the PWS serves water to the public and use the routine sample to determine compliance with the MCL for total coliforms in section 7 of this rule, unless the commissioner has determined that: (i) the PWS has corrected the contamination problem before the PWS took the set of repeat samples required in subsections (a) through (d); and(ii) all repeat samples were total coliform-negative.(E) The commissioner shall not waive the requirement for a PWS to collect repeat samples in subsections (a) through (d).(f) After a PWS collects a routine sample and before the PWS learns the results of the analysis of that sample, if the PWS collects another routine sample from within five (5) adjacent service connections of the initial sample, and the initial sample, after analysis, is found to contain total coliforms, then the PWS may count the subsequent sample as a repeat sample instead of as a routine sample.(g) Results of all routine and repeat samples not invalidated by the commissioner must be included in determining compliance with the MCL for total coliforms in section 7 of this rule. Any sample not designated as special purpose prior to analysis by the laboratory must be used to determine compliance with the MCL for total coliforms in section 7 of this rule. Water Pollution Control Board; 327 IAC 8-2-8.1; filed Dec 28, 1990, 5:10 p.m.: 14 IR 1021; errata filed Jan 9, 1991, 2:30 p.m.: 14 IR 1070; errata filed Aug 6, 1991, 3:45 p.m.: 14 IR 2258; filed Apr 12, 1993, 11:00 a.m.: 16 IR 2157; filed Jul 23, 2001, 1:02 p.m.: 24 IR 3966; Filed 1/18/2017, 1:01 p.m.: 20170215-IR-327140059FRA