In 1974, the U.S. Congress authorized the federal government to establish national drinking water regulations. These regulations were published as the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). SDWA defines which constituents are monitored, how often they are monitored, the number of samples required, and how results are reported. For more information see Appendix B. It should be noted that this section was developed based on EPA and MDEQ forms. It is the responsibility of the Plant Superintendent to stay informed of changing requirements.
Public Water Systems supplied by surface water sources are required to submit Monthly Operating Reports to the Montana DEQ. The WTP should keep copies of all sampling notes and analytical reports in its files for at least 5 years.
Sampling and Monitoring
| Monitoring | Rule | Frequency | Location |
| Nitrate (NO3) – Nitrite (NO2) | National Primary Drinking Water Regulations | 1 per Year | After Finished Water Pumps |
| Asbestos | National Primary Drinking Water Regulations | 1 every 9 Years | Distribution System |
| Volatile Organic Chemicals | Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (Standardized Monitoring Framework Rule) | 1 per Year | After Finished Water Pumps |
| Synthetic Organic Chemicals | Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (Standardized Monitoring Framework Rule) | 1 every 3 years | After Finished Water Pumps |
| Inorganic Chemicals | Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (Standardized Monitoring Framework Rule) | 1 every 9 Years | After Finished Water Pumps |
| Lead and Copper | Lead and Copper Rule | 1 every 3 years | Distribution System |
| Gross Alpha, excl. Radon & Uranium | Radionuclide Rule | 1 every 6 Years | After Finished Water Pumps |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclide Rule | 1 every 9 Years | After Finished Water Pumps |
| Arsenic | Arsenic Rule | Annually | Treated Plant Effluent |
| TTHM/HAA5 | Stage 1 Disinfection and Disinfectants Byproduct Rule | Quarterly | Distribution System |
| TOC and Alkalinity | Stage 1 Disinfection and Disinfectants Byproduct Rule | 1 per Month | Raw Water |
| Total Organic Carbon (TOC) | Stage 1 Disinfection and Disinfectants Byproduct Rule | 1 per Month | Filter Effluent |
| Total Coliform and Chlorine Residual | Total Coliform Rule | 3 per Month | Distribution System |
| Individual Filter Effluent Turbidity | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Every 15 Minutes | Filter Effluent |
| Combined Filter Effluent | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Every 4 Hours | Filter Effluent |
| Chlorine | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Daily | After Finished Water Pumps |
| Chlorine | LT1 Surface Water Treatment Rule | 1 per Day | Distribution System |
The Monthly Operating Report the components are described below. Quick Reference Guides are included in Appendix B.
Total Coliform and Chlorine Residual
Total coliform samples must be collected at sites which are representative of water quality throughout the distribution system. If any routine sample is total coliform-positive, the samples must be repeated. Chlorine residual should be tested at the same points to collect information.
Nitrate (NO3) and Nitrite (NO2)
Nitrate and nitrite are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units which combine with various organic and inorganic compounds. Nitrates are often used in fertilizer. Young children are vulnerable to nitrate and nitrite. Exposure can result in shortness of breath and even death. Nitrate and nitrite monitoring is required to demonstrate compliance with MCLs set by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
Combined Filter Effluent (CFE) Turbidity and Individual Filter Effluent Turbidity:
Under SWTR (40 CFR 141.500-141.571), CFE representative samples for turbidity of the filtered water must be reported at least once every four hours. For plants that operate continuously but only for part of the day (at least 4 hours), time begins (t=0) when the filtration system starts discharging to the Clearwell. Report the CFE any time during the first four hours of operation and then every subsequent 4 hours from the initial CFE sample. These samples are taken by a turbidimeter and recorded by the Plant PLC. The maximum CFE reading should be reported based on a daily maximum not just the 4 hour sample maximum.
Inorganic Chemicals (IOCs)
Inorganic chemicals constitute the greatest portion of chemical contaminants in drinking water and result from natural process and man-made chemicals. Inorganic chemicals affect aesthetics including color, taste, and odor. IOCs can be beneficial or harmful. Under the Standardized Monitoring Framework Rule (56 FR 3526), fifteen inorganic chemicals must be sampled annually after the finished water pumps.
Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) and Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs)
Volatile organic chemicals evaporate (volatize) when exposed to air and dissolve when exposed to liquid. VOCs are derived from petroleum products and used in cleaning products, fuels, solvents, polishes, and cosmetics.
Synthetic organic chemicals are man-made compounds which are less volatile than VOCs. SOCs are found in pesticides, defoliants, fertilizers, and fuel additives and appear in seasonal patterns because the application is concentrated seasonally.
There are concerns about carcinogenic VOCs and SOCs. The purpose of collecting data under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 2 and upcoming Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 is to determine the frequency and concentration of unregulated contaminants in public drinking water systems. Based on these results, health risks are accessed and contaminants may be regulated in the future. The Standardized Monitoring Framework Rule (56 FR 3526), groups contaminates to standardize monitoring requirements. There are 51 combined SOCs and VOCs. VOCs and SOCs must be sampled quarterly after the finished water pumps.
TTHM/HAA5
Public water systems must disinfect to protect the public from disease-causing organisms, pathogens, and viruses; however, disinfectants can react with organic compounds to form disinfection byproducts. Prolonged exposure to disinfection byproducts can result in liver, kidney, or central nervous system failure. Sampling for DBPs is regulated by the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rules (63 F 69390 and 71 FR 388, respectively). Glasgow is required to collect one sample quarterly.
DBP Precursors and Raw Water Alkalinity
As a conventional filtration plant, Glasgow WTP is required to monitor total organic carbon (TOC) in the raw water and finished water through one monthly sample. TOC is monitored because organic material can be a DBP precursor, and removal of DBP precursors prevent the formation of DBPs in the distribution system.
The raw water alkalinity, raw water TOC, and finished water TOC data can be entered into a form calculate the TOC removal percentage and compliance ratio. This form is found in Appendix B.
Lead and Copper
Lead and copper enter drinking water when plumbing materials are exposed to corrosive waters. Lead and copper ingestion can have health effects ranging from stomach irritation to liver and brain damage depending on exposure concentration and duration. Under the Lead and Copper Rule (56 FR 26460-26564), Glasgow WTP must collect one sample every 2 years. If high lead and/or copper levels are found, Glasgow WTP must take additional measures to reduce corrosivity.
Radionuclides
Radionuclides are naturally occurring radioactive contaminants. Generally, the naturally occurring radioactive contaminants are at low levels and not a concern, but prolonged exposure to higher concentrations can result in cancer. Under the Radionuclide Rule (66 FR 76708), gross alpha particles must be sampled for once every 6 years and combined radium 226/228 must be sampled for once every 9 years.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral which is resistant to heat and most chemicals. As a result, asbestos has historically been used in production of numerous construction materials including cement pipe. Ingestion of asbestos can result in intestinal polyps. To comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, annual samples for asbestos must be collected at the point of entry to the distribution system.
Public Notifications
All public water systems are required to provide public notice any time a public water supply violates a National Primary Drinking Water Regulations or has a situation posing a risk to public health. Public notices must be provided to all persons served by the water supply.
Public Notices are divided into tiers based on the violation. The following are examples of public notifications. The EPA Public Notification Rule Quick Reference Guide is included in Appendix B.
- Fecal Contamination Boil Water Advisory
- Loss of Pressure Boil Water Advisory
- High Turbidity Boil Water Advisory
- Total Coliform MCL
All public water systems are also required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) summarizing the facility equipment and treatment history of the plant. For more information on annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) see Chapter 9.