Planning for and Collecting Valid and Meaningful Drinking Water Samples

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James Latimer Environmental Program Specialist

Drinking Water ProgramAK Dept. of Environmental Conservation

E-mail: james.latimer@alaska.gov

2010 Sustained Compliance WorkshopAnchorage, AK

Sept 23-24, 2010

Presentation Summary

Sample Planning – generalized and detailed

Collecting Samples – preparations and procedures

Sample Demonstration – total coliform & chemical Sample Results – understanding results and following through

as needed

Questions

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Sample Planning

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Planning Tools

Total Coliform Sample Siting Plan

Lead & Copper Sample Plan

Planning ahead can be critical to maintaining

an adequate supply of safe and healthy water

To succeed, we need to know (and do):

1. what needs to be done

2. when & where to sample

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Importance of Planning

A Monitoring Summary includes:

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What to sample for & where to sample

How often to sample

Date of last sample

Date next sample is due

Definitions and explanations

DEC contact information

Other Examples of Monitoring Summaries

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Other Planning ToolsPrinted media

e.g., wall or desk calendarElectronic media

e.g., email alerts

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Quarter

Specific Sample PlansThe following sampling plans will not be covered

today:

A source water monitoring plan for Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2); or

A Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR) Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) sampling plan

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Creating, Using, & Modifying a Total Coliform Rule (TCR)

Sample Siting Plan

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Total Coliform Sample Siting Plan (18 AAC 80.410)Who is required to have one?

Applies to Community, Non Transient Non-community, & Transient Non-community public drinking water systems

What it is?Where and when to sample

Routine sampling; and In the event of total coliform positive result:

Within 24 hours, and the following month

Sample site selection is important

Keep a copy readily available onsite, & revise as needed

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DEC TCR Sample Siting Plan* “Template”

* for smaller systems, serving 1000 or less people

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http://dec.alaska.gov/eh/dw/publications/forms.html

System Information

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Quarterly-Monthly Sampling Chart

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What to do if a result is positive/present for total coliform bacteria or E. coli

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Distribution System Schematic

Any formatE.g., engineer schematic, hand-

drawn, notes on satellite image, and others

DEC Drinking Water Program staff review & approve all Total Coliform Sample Siting Plans

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Lead and Copper Sampling Plan (CWS and NTNCWS)

Site selectionBased on materials

evaluation (pipes and fixtures containing lead and/or copper), & use (i.e. residential vs. commercial)

Do not include sites with point-of-use or point-of-entry treatment devices for inorganics (1 exception)

What to do if not enough sites.

Names or IDs of sites should be clear and consistent

Consistent locations provide results that can be compared over time

Accessibility - changesActivity/Inactivity (i.e. , schools)First Draw, after 6 hours with

no-flow Newly replaced pipes or

fixtures may influence results

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Lead and Copper Sampling Plan EssentialsProvide an explanation for selection of sitesProvide clear and complete descriptions and

names for each site, and include alternative sites

Note sample proceduresFlushing proceduresDescribe how 6-hour idle flow time will be met Note if residents will collect samples Emphasize collection from cold water tapEmphasize use of consumptive taps

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Collecting SamplesPreparations

Supplies, Instructions, FormsCollecting samples

Tap or site issuesPotential contaminationContainer specifics

Demonstrations Total ColiformVolatile Organics (VOCs)

Recording & reporting data

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Pre-collection PreparationsSupplies

Sample bottlesValid free chlorine

residual powder packets

Tools & paper towelsCooler (s)Ice & packing

materialsDisinfectant FormsOther items as needed

ArrangementsLab hoursFlightsCoordinate with any

relevant contractorsCourtesy reminders

to home or business owners –ensure access

PaymentsOther items as

situation warrants

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Quiz & Clues –Distribution System

Free Chlorine ResidualSame Time & Location

as each Total Coliform Sample

Collect prior to Total Coliform sample

Free - and check powder packet type & expiration date

There is at least one approved free chlorine residual test strip

When and where do we sample distribution chlorine residual?

Do we sample before or after total coliform sampling, and does it matter?

Is this a free or total chlorine measurement?

How about test strips?

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Distribution Chlorine Residual

21http://dec.alaska.gov/eh/dw/publications/sample.html

Common Methods of Determining Free Chlorine Residual

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Follow instructions provided by the manufacturer

Total Coliform BacteriaSampling Reminders

Arrange transportationKeep enough extra sample

bottles on siteConfirm sample location on

the sample siting planPersonal and area sanitation

is important

Prepare faucet (avoid sampling at drinking water fountains):Disinfect then flush

Fill to 100+ ml - not too little < 100ml gets rejected

Not too much Sample bottles are brittle

Pad for shipping, and do not submit if damaged

Cool, yet not frozenDouble check formsLimited hold time

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Total Coliform Bacteria Sampling

24http://dec.alaska.gov/eh/dw/publications/sample.html

A Completed Form/Analysis

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Non-TCR SamplesToday’s Special - VOCs

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) & Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

Lead & CopperInorganicsArsenicFluorideand more...

Special bottle/lidOpen septa lid prevents

contamination while allowing for sample extraction at lab

Do not rinse bottleLow tap flowClose to tapBottle angledFill completely - no air

spaceMinimize overflow

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VOC Sampling

27http://dec.alaska.gov/eh/dw/publications/sample.html

Lab Forms

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Partially Completed Forms

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the lab

the lab

Sampling Demonstrations

West aisle Kelly Cobbs (DEC)

East aisle Leticia Tadina

(DEC)

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Reporting Ensure that time and

money are not wasted:Recheck forms &

labels for accuracy & completeness

Label on bottle

Labs are required to report results directly to DEC

PWSs are responsible to ensure that DEC receives results

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Points To Ponder & To Act OnPlan & sample as far

ahead as possibleDevelop, revise, and

keep handy TCR and Pb/Cu sample plans

Understand and use the Monitoring Summary, and use in combination with a calendar or other sample scheduling or tracking media.

Sampling begins and ends with accurately and completely filling out forms

Understand & address sample issues specific to each type of sample collected

Accurate results are very importantWater is very importantYour job is very

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Thee End!??? Questions, comments ???

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