310 CMR 22.05
Table 1. Samples required to be collected at storage facilities, in accordance with an
approved coliform sampling plan required by 310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3., shall be collected in
addition to the minimum number of samples required pursuant to 310 CMR 22.05(1)(b), as
set forth in 310 CMR 22.05: Table 1, unless otherwise provided in the coliform sampling
plan. The Department may require additional routine monitoring samples to ensure adequate
Distribution System representation.
1. Each Supplier of Water is required to maintain a Raw Water source sample tap at a
location prior to any alteration or treatment of the source water unless otherwise specified
by the Department in an approved coliform sampling plan.
a. A Supplier of Water shall collect a Raw Water source sample if the water at the
entry point to the Distribution System is not representative of the source, or as
otherwise specified in an approved coliform sampling plan required by 310 CMR
22.05(1)(a)3.
22.05: continued
b. If a Supplier of Water is required to collect a Raw Water sample under 310 CMR
22.05(1)(a)1.a., then it shall collect the sample monthly on the same day as any one
of its required Distribution Samples.
c. A total coliform-positive Raw Water sample shall not trigger the requirements of
310 CMR 22.05(2).
d. In the event of a total coliform-positive Raw Water sample, the Supplier of Water
shall comply with the applicable provisions of 310 CMR 22.26(3)(b) and other
provisions of 310 CMR 22.26.
2. Community Water Systems and Non-community Non-transient Water Systems are
required to install a chemical injection port for Emergency Disinfection. The injection
port shall be located prior to the first customer and at a location which maximizes
Disinfection contact time.
3. Coliform Sampling Plan. A Supplier of Water shall develop and implement a written
coliform sampling plan that identifies sampling sites and a sample collection schedule
that are representative of water throughout the Distribution System. These plans,
including any revisions to these plans, are subject to Department review, revision and
approval. The Supplier of Water shall ensure that an approved sampling plan continues
to be representative of water throughout the Distribution System, including seeking
Department approval for a sampling plan revision as necessary. Monitoring required by
310 CMR 22.05(1) and (2) may take place at a customer's premises, a Department
approved dedicated sampling station, or other designated compliance sampling location.
Routine and repeat sample sites and any Sampling Points necessary to meet the
requirements of 310 CMR 22.05(1) and (2), and 22.26 must be reflected in the sampling
plan.
a. A Supplier of Water shall collect samples at regular time intervals throughout the
month, except that a Supplier of Water, whose Public Water System uses only
groundwater and serves 4,900 persons or fewer, may collect all required samples on
a single day if they are taken from different sampling locations.
b. A Supplier of Water shall take at least the minimum number of required samples
even if the Public Water System has had an E. coli MCL violation or has exceeded
the coliform Treatment Technique triggers in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a).
c. A Supplier of Water, subject to Department approval, may conduct more
compliance monitoring than is required by 310 CMR 22.05(1) to investigate potential
problems in the Distribution System and use monitoring as a tool to assist in
uncovering problems. If a Supplier of Water takes more than the minimum number
of required routine samples at the locations specified in the existing coliform
sampling plan, then the Supplier of Water shall include those sampling results in
calculating whether the coliform Treatment Technique trigger in 310 CMR
22.05(4)(a)1.a. or b. has been exceeded. If a Supplier of Water takes samples at
locations not previously specified in the existing coliform sampling plan, and the
Department determines that these locations are representative of water throughout the
Distribution System, the Supplier of Water shall include those sampling results in
calculating whether the coliform Treatment Technique trigger in 310 CMR
22.05(4)(a)1.a. or b. has been exceeded.
d. A Supplier of Water shall identify repeat monitoring locations in the coliform
sampling plan. Unless a Supplier of Water has obtained the Department's approval
pursuant to 310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3.d.i. or ii., that Supplier of Water must collect at
least one repeat sample from the sampling tap where the original total
coliform-positive sample was taken, and at least one repeat sample at a tap within
five service connections upstream and at least one repeat sample at a tap within five
service connections downstream of the original sampling site. If a total
coliform-positive sample is at the end of the Distribution System, or one service
connection away from the end of the Distribution System, the Supplier of Water must
still take all required repeat samples. The Supplier of Water, subject to Department
approval, may propose an alternative sampling location in lieu of the requirement to
collect at least one repeat sample upstream or downstream of the original sampling
site in accordance with 310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3.d.i. or ii. Except as provided for in
310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3.d.ii., a Supplier of Water required to conduct triggered source
water monitoring under 310 CMR 22.26 shall take groundwater source sample(s) in
addition to repeat samples required under 310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3.d.
22.05: continued
i. A Supplier of Water may propose repeat monitoring locations to the
Department that the Supplier of Water believes to be representative of a pathway
for contamination of the Distribution System. A Supplier of Water may elect to
specify either alternative fixed locations or criteria for selecting repeat sampling
sites on a situational basis in a standard operating procedure (SOP) in its coliform
sampling plan. The Supplier of Water must design its SOP to focus the repeat
samples at locations that best verify and determine the extent of potential
contamination of the Distribution System area based on specific situations. The
Department may modify the SOP or require alternative monitoring locations as
needed in order to meet the requirements of 310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3.
ii. Groundwater Public Water Systems serving 1,000 or fewer people may
propose repeat sampling locations to the Department that differentiate potential
source water and Distribution System contamination (e.g., by sampling at entry
points to the Distribution System). A groundwater Public Water System with a
single well required to conduct triggered source water monitoring may, with
written Department approval, take one of its repeat samples at the monitoring
location required for triggered source water monitoring under 310 CMR
22.26(3)(a) if the Supplier of Water demonstrates to the Department's satisfaction
that the coliform sampling plan remains representative of water quality in the
Distribution System. If approved by the Department, the Supplier of Water may
use that sample result to meet the monitoring requirements in both 310 CMR
22.05(1)(a)3. and 22.26(3)(a).
A. If a repeat sample taken at the monitoring location required for triggered
source water monitoring is E. coli-positive, the Supplier of Water has
violated the E. coli MCL and must also comply with 310 CMR 22.26(3)(a)4.
If a Supplier of Water takes more than one repeat sample at the monitoring
location required for triggered source water monitoring under 310 CMR
22.26, the Supplier of Water may reduce the number of additional source
water samples required under 310 CMR 22.26(3)(a) by the number of repeat
samples taken at that location that were not E. coli-positive.
B. If a Supplier of Water takes more than one repeat sample at the
monitoring location required for triggered source water monitoring under
310 CMR 22.26(3)(a), and more than one repeat sample is E. coli-positive,
the system has violated the E. coli MCL and must also comply with
310 CMR 22.26(4)(a)1.
C. If all repeat samples taken at the monitoring location required for
triggered source water monitoring are E. coli-negative and a repeat sample
taken at a monitoring location other than the one required for triggered source
water monitoring is E. coli-positive, the system has violated the E. coli MCL,
but is not required to comply with 310 CMR 22.26(3)(a)4.
e. The Department may review, revise, and approve, as appropriate, repeat sampling
proposed by a Supplier of Water under 310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3.d.i. or ii. The
Supplier of Water shall demonstrate that the coliform sampling plan remains
representative of the water quality in the Distribution System. The Department may
determine that monitoring at the entry point to the Distribution System (especially for
undisinfected groundwater Public Water Systems) is effective to differentiate
between potential source water and Distribution System problems.
f. Special purpose samples, such as those taken to determine whether Disinfection
practices are sufficient following pipe placement, replacement, or repair, shall not be
used to determine whether the coliform Treatment Technique trigger has been
exceeded. Repeat samples taken pursuant to 310 CMR 22.05(2) are not considered
special purpose samples, and must be used to determine whether the coliform
Treatment Technique trigger has been exceeded.
(b) Coliform Monitoring Frequency. The minimum number of total coliform samples for
Public Water Systems is based on the population served by the Public Water System
according to 310 CMR 22.05: Table 1.
22.05: continued
310 CMR 22.05: Table 1
TOTAL COLIFORM MONITORING FREQUENCY
FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
Population Served
Minimum Number of
Samples Per Month
Up to 1,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,001 to 2,500
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2,501 to 3,300
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3,301 to 4,100
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4,101 to 4,900
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4,901 to 5,800
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5,801 to 6,700
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6,701 to 7,600
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
7,601 to 8,500
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
8,501 to 12,900
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
12,901 to 17,200
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
17,201 to 21,500
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
21,501 to 25,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
25,001 to 33,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
33,001 to 41,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
41,001 to 50,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
50,001 to 59,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
59,001 to 70,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
70,001 to 83,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
83,001 to 96,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
96,001 to 130,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
130,001 to 220,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
220,001 to 320,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
320,001 to 450,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
450,001 to 600,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
600,001 to 780,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
780,001 to 970,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
970,001 to 1,230,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
1,230,001 to 1,520,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
1,520,001 to 1,850,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
1,850,001 to 2,270,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
2,270,001 to 3,020,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
3,020,001 to 3,960,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450
3,960,001 or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480
Includes Public Water Systems which have at least 15 service connections, but serve fewer than 25 people.
22.05: continued
(c) Routine monitoring requirements for Community Water Systems serving 1,000 or fewer
people using only groundwater.
1. Following any total coliform-positive sample taken under 310 CMR 22.05(1), Public
Water Systems must comply with the repeat monitoring requirements and E. coli
analytical requirements in 310 CMR 22.05(2).
2. Once all monitoring required by 310 CMR 22.05(1)(c) and (2) for a calendar month
has been completed, Suppliers of Water must determine whether any coliform Treatment
Technique triggers specified in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a) have been exceeded. If any trigger
has been exceeded, Suppliers of Water must complete assessments as required by
310 CMR 22.05(4)(b).
3. Monitoring Frequency for Total Coliforms. All Suppliers of Water described in
310 CMR 22.05(1)(c). shall monitor for total coliforms monthly. No such Supplier of
Water shall be eligible for quarterly monitoring.
4. Each Public Water System shall be subject to a special monitoring evaluation by the
Department during each Sanitary Survey to review the status of the Public Water System,
including the Distribution System, and to determine whether the Public Water System
is on an appropriate monitoring schedule. After the Department has performed the
special monitoring evaluation during each Sanitary Survey, the Supplier of Water may
be required by the Department to modify the Public Water System's monitoring schedule,
as necessary, or it may allow the Public Water System to stay on its existing monitoring
schedule, consistent with 310 CMR 22.05(1)(c).
(d) Routine monitoring requirements for Non-community Water Systems serving 1,000 or
fewer people using only groundwater.
1. General.
a. 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d) shall apply to Non-community Water Systems using only
groundwater (except Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water, as
defined in 310 CMR 22.02(1)) and serving 1,000 people or fewer.
b. Any Supplier of Water who takes a sample pursuant to 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d) that
is total coliform-positive shall comply with the repeat monitoring requirements and
E. coli analytical requirements set forth in 310 CMR 22.05(2).
c. Once a Supplier of Water completes all monitoring required by 310 CMR
22.05(1)(d) and (2) for a calendar month, the Supplier of Water shall determine
whether any coliform Treatment Technique triggers specified in 310 CMR 22.05(4)
have been exceeded. If any such trigger has been exceeded, the Supplier of Water
shall complete assessments as required by 310 CMR 22.05(4).
d. A Supplier of Water for the purpose of determining eligibility for remaining on
or qualifying for quarterly monitoring under 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)4.a. and 5.d.,
respectively, for Transient Non-community Water Systems, may request, subject to
approval from the Department, not to count monitoring violations under 310 CMR
22.05(11)(c)1. if the missed sample is collected no later than the end of the
monitoring period following the monitoring period in which the sample was missed.
The Supplier of Water shall collect the make-up sample in a different week than the
routine sample for that monitoring period and as soon as possible during the
monitoring period. Provided, however, that no such Department approval not to
count a monitoring violation shall affect a determination made under 310 CMR
22.05(11)(c)1. nor an obligation to report under 310 CMR 22.05(12)(a)4.
2. Monitoring Frequency for Total Coliforms. All Suppliers of Water described in
310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)1.a. shall monitor for total coliforms each calendar month that its
Public Water System provides water to the public or as provided under 310 CMR
22.05(1)(d)3. through 5., or 7. Provided, however, a Seasonal System shall meet the
monitoring requirements set forth in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)6.
22.05: continued
3. Special Monitoring Evaluation for Public Water Systems During Sanitary Survey.
Each Public Water System shall be subject to a special monitoring evaluation by the
Department during each Sanitary Survey to review the status of its compliance with
310 CMR 22.05(1)(a) and (b) and to determine whether it is on an appropriate
monitoring schedule. After the Department has performed the special monitoring
evaluation during each Sanitary Survey, the Supplier of Water may be required by the
Department to modify its monitoring schedule, as necessary, or may be allowed to stay
on its existing monitoring schedule, consistent with the requirements of 310 CMR 22.05.
Provided, however, that no Supplier of Water shall be allowed to begin less frequent
monitoring under the special monitoring evaluation unless its Public Water System has
already met the applicable criteria for less frequent monitoring in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)4.
For Seasonal Systems on quarterly monitoring, the special monitoring evaluation shall
include review of the approved coliform sampling plan, which must designate the time
period(s) for monitoring based on site-specific considerations (e.g., during periods of
highest demand or highest vulnerability to contamination). Seasonal Systems shall
collect compliance samples during these time periods.
4. Criteria for Quarterly Monitoring. Notwithstanding 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)2., any
Supplier of Water approved in writing by the Department for quarterly monitoring prior
to April 1, 2016 may remain on quarterly monitoring unless the Department determines
otherwise pursuant to 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)3. and except as provided in 310 CMR
22.05(1)(d)5. A Supplier of Water may submit a written request to reduce the monitoring
frequency for its Public Water System from monthly monitoring to quarterly monitoring,
subject to the following requirements. The Supplier of Water must demonstrate, subject
to the Department's written approval, that its Public Water System meets the criteria set
forth in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)4.a. through f.
a. The Public Water System must have a Clean Compliance History for the
preceding 12 months;
b. The Public Water System must be found to be free of Sanitary Defects based
upon one or more of the following, which must have occurred during the preceding
12 months:
i. a Sanitary Survey;
ii. a site visit completed by the Department;
iii. a voluntary Level 2 Assessment by a Person approved by the Department.
c. The Public Water System is in compliance with 310 CMR 22.21(1)(b)3. through
5., (3)(b) and (4);
d. The Public Water System must be in compliance with the certified operator
provisions under 310 CMR 22.11B;
e. The Public Water System is not required to disinfect for microbiological
contaminants by the Department pursuant to 310 CMR 22.05; and
f. The Public Water System must be constructed in compliance with 310 CMR
22.04.
5. Increased monitoring requirements for Public Water Systems on quarterly
monitoring. A Supplier of Water who operates a Public Water System on quarterly
monitoring that experiences any of the events identified in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)5.a.,
through d. shall begin monthly monitoring the month following the event. The Supplier
of Water shall continue monthly monitoring until approved to return to quarterly
monitoring in accordance with 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)4. A Public Water System on
monthly monitoring for reasons other than those identified in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)5.a.
through d. is not considered to be on increased monitoring for the purposes of 310 CMR
22.05(1)(d)4.
a. The Public Water System triggers a Level 2 assessment or two Level 1
assessments under 310 CMR 22.05(4) in a rolling 12-month period.
b. The Public Water System has an E. coli MCL violation.
c. The Public Water System has a coliform treatment technique violation.
d. The Public Water System has two monitoring violations under 310 CMR
22.05(11)(c) or one monitoring violation under 310 CMR 22.05(11)(c) and one Level
1 assessment under 310 CMR 22.05(4) in a rolling 12-month period.
22.05: continued
6. Seasonal Systems.
a. A Supplier of Water who owns or operates a Seasonal System shall demonstrate
completion of a Department approved start-up procedure prior to serving water to the
public each season, including start-up sampling, in accordance with the following
requirements. A written start-up procedure signed by the Supplier of Water shall be
submitted no less than seven days prior to serving water to the public each season,
and shall be deemed approved unless the Department otherwise notifies the Supplier
of Water prior to the date the Supplier of Water will begin serving water to the
public, provided that the written start-up procedure includes all of the following
elements:
i. notification to the Department and the Primary Operator of the date the
Supplier of Water will begin serving water to the public;
ii. inspection of all Seasonal System components including source(s), treatment
components, distribution lines and storage tanks;
iii. activation of source(s);
iv. flushing of the entire Distribution System;
v. collection of coliform samples in accordance with the Department-approved
coliform sampling plan, including any additional samples representing the
re-activated portions of the system;
vi. if the Seasonal System uses chlorination, a requirement that all chlorination
equipment be installed and operational and chlorinated water be left in the
Distribution System for at least 24 hours and then flushed prior to any coliform
sample collection;
vii. a requirement that the Seasonal System disinfect and flush atmospheric
storage tank(s) if applicable; and
viii. a requirement to re-install water meters, and re-install and test backflow
preventers throughout the Distribution System, if applicable.
Completion of a start-up procedure shall be demonstrated by submitting a
description of all start-up activities completed on a Department-approved form,
signed by the Supplier of Water, to the Department no less than seven days prior to
serving water to the public each season, which shall constitute the Supplier of Water's
certification of the completion of the start-up procedure.
b. Monitoring Frequency for Total Coliforms. All Suppliers of Water who operate
a Seasonal System described in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)1.a. shall monitor for total
coliforms each calendar month that it is in operation unless it meets the criteria in
310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)6.b.i. through iii. to be eligible for monitoring less frequently
than monthly, except as provided in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)3.
i. Seasonal Systems monitoring less frequently than monthly shall have an
approved coliform sampling plan that designates the time period for monitoring
based on site-specific considerations (e.g., during periods of highest demand or
highest vulnerability to contamination). Seasonal Systems shall collect
compliance samples during this time period.
ii. To be eligible for quarterly monitoring, the Seasonal System shall meet the
criteria in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)4.
c. The Supplier of Water may request, subject to approval from the Department, an
exemption from some or all of the requirements for Seasonal Systems if the entire
Distribution System remains pressurized during the entire period that the Seasonal
System is not operating, except that a Seasonal System that monitors less frequently
than monthly shall still monitor during the vulnerable period designated by the
Department pursuant to the site-specific considerations identified in 310 CMR
22.05(1)(d)6.b.i.
22.05: continued
7. Additional Routine Monitoring the Month Following a Total Coliform-positive
Sample. A Public Water System collecting samples on a quarterly frequency shall
conduct additional routine monitoring the month following one or more total
coliform-positive samples (with or without a Level 1 treatment technique trigger). A
Public Water System shall collect at least three routine samples during the next month,
except that the Supplier of Water may request, subject to approval from the Department
a waiver of this requirement if the conditions of 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)7.a., b., or c. are
met. A Public Water System shall either collect samples at regular time intervals
throughout the month or shall collect all required routine samples on a single day if
samples are taken from different sites. A Public Water System shall use the results of
additional routine samples in coliform Treatment Technique trigger calculations under
310 CMR 22.05(4)(a).
a. A Supplier of Water may request, subject to approval from the Department, a
waiver of the requirement to collect three routine samples the next month in which
the Public Water System provides water to the public if the Department, or an agent
approved by the Department, performs a site visit before the end of the next month
in which the Public Water System provides water to the public. Although a Sanitary
Survey need not be performed, the site visit must be sufficiently detailed to allow the
Department to determine whether additional routine monitoring and/or any corrective
action is needed. An employee of the Public Water System cannot perform this site
visit, even if the employee is an agent approved by the Department to perform
Sanitary Surveys.
b. A Supplier of Water may request, subject to approval from the Department, a
waiver of the requirement to collect three routine samples the next month in which
its Public Water System provides water to the public, if, based upon appropriate
submittals:
i. the Department has determined why the sample was total coliform-positive;
and
ii. the Department has established that the Public Water System has corrected
the problem or will correct the problem before the end of the next month in
which the Public Water System serves water to the public.
The waiver shall be effective once the Supplier of Water has received written
documentation from the Department of its decision describing the specific cause of
the total coliform-positive sample and what action the Public Water System has taken
and/or will take to correct this problem, a copy of which shall be made available to
EPA and the public.
c. A Supplier of Water shall not receive a waiver of the requirement to collect three
additional routine samples the next month in which the system provides water to the
public solely on the grounds that all repeat samples are total coliform-negative. A
Suppler of Water may request, subject to approval from the Department, a waiver of
the requirement for additional routine monitoring the next month if it demonstrates
that the contamination problem was corrected before the Supplier of Water is
scheduled to take the set of repeat samples required in 310 CMR 22.05(2), and all
repeat samples were total coliform-negative.
(e) Routine Monitoring Requirements for Public Water Systems Serving More than 1,000
People.
1. 310 CMR 22.05(1)(e) shall apply to all Public Water Systems serving more than
1,000 people.
2. Following any total coliform-positive sample taken under the provisions of 310 CMR
22.05(1)(e), the Supplier of Water must comply with the repeat monitoring requirements
and E. coli analytical requirements in 310 CMR 22.05(2).
3. Once all monitoring required by 310 CMR 22.05(1)(e) and (2) for a calendar month
has been completed, the Supplier of Water must determine whether any coliform
Treatment Technique triggers specified in 310 CMR 22.05(4) have been exceeded. If
any trigger has been exceeded, the Supplier of Water must complete assessments as
required by 310 CMR 22.05(4).
4. Monitoring Frequency for Total Coliforms. All Suppliers of Water described in
310 CMR 22.05(1)(e)1. shall monitor for total coliforms monthly, except as provided in
310 CMR 22.05(1)(e)7.
22.05: continued
5. Seasonal Systems.
a. A Supplier of Water who owns or operates a Seasonal System shall demonstrate
completion of a Department approved start-up procedure prior to serving water to the
public each season, including start-up sampling, in accordance with the following
requirements. A written start-up procedure signed by the Supplier of Water shall be
submitted no less than seven days prior to serving water to the public each season,
and shall be deemed approved unless the Department otherwise notifies the Supplier
of Water prior to the date the Supplier of Water will begin serving water to the
public, provided that the written start-up procedure includes all of the following
elements:
i. notification to the Department and the Primary Operator of the date the
Supplier of Water will begin serving water to the public;
ii. inspection of all Seasonal System components including source(s), treatment
components, distribution lines and storage tanks;
iii. activation of source(s);
iv. flushing of the entire Distribution System;
v. collection of coliform samples in accordance with the Department-approved
coliform sampling plan, including any additional samples representing the
re-activated portions of the system;
vi. if the Seasonal System uses chlorination, a requirement that all chlorination
equipment be installed and operational and chlorinated water be left in the
Distribution System for at least 24 hours and then flushed prior to any coliform
sample collection;
vii. a requirement that the Seasonal System disinfect and flush atmospheric
storage tank(s) if applicable; and
viii. a requirement to re-install water meters, and re-install and test backflow
preventers throughout the Distribution System, if applicable.
Completion of a start-up procedure shall be demonstrated by submitting a
description of all start-up activities completed on a Department-approved form,
signed by the Supplier of Water, to the Department no less than seven days prior to
serving water to the public each season, which shall constitute the Supplier of Water's
certification of the completion of the start-up procedure.
b. A Supplier of Water who owns or operates a Seasonal System may request,
subject to Department approval, an exemption from some or all of the requirements
for Seasonal Systems if the entire Distribution System remains pressurized during the
entire period that the system is not operating.
6. Unfiltered Surface Water or Groundwater under the Direct Influence of Surface
Water. A Public Water System serving more than 1,000 people using Surface Water or
Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water which does not practice
Filtration (in compliance with 310 CMR 22.20A, 22.20D, 22.20F, and 22.20G) must
collect at least one total coliform sample Near the First Service Connection each day the
Turbidity level of the source water, measured as specified in 310 CMR 22.20A(5)(b)2.,
exceeds one NTU. When one or more Turbidity measurements in any day exceed one
NTU, the Supplier of Water shall collect a coliform sample within 24 hours of the first
exceedance, unless the Supplier of Water demonstrates to the Department's satisfaction
that, for logistical reasons outside the Supplier of Water's control, it cannot have the
sample analyzed within 30 hours of collection and that it has developed an alternative
sample collection schedule. Sample results from this coliform monitoring must be
included in determining whether the coliform Treatment Technique trigger in 310 CMR
22.05(4)(a) has been exceeded.
7. Reduced Monitoring. No Public Water Systems described in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(e)
shall reduce monthly monitoring, except for Non-community Water System using only
groundwater (and not Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water) serving
1,000 or fewer people in some months and more than 1,000 people in other months. In
months when more than 1,000 people are served, the Supplier of Water shall monitor at
the frequency specified in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(e). In months when 1,000 or fewer people
are served, the Supplier of Water may request, subject to approval from the Department,
reducing the monitoring frequency to a frequency allowed under 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)
for a similarly situated Public Water System that always serves 1,000 or fewer people,
taking into account the provisions in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)4. and 5.
22.05: continued
(f) Routine monitoring requirements for Surface Water or Groundwater under the Direct
Influence of Surface Water Public Water Systems serving 1,000 or fewer people.
1. 310 CMR 22.05(1)(f) applies to Surface Water or Groundwater under the Direct
Influence of Surface Water Public Water Systems serving 1,000 or fewer people.
2. Following any total coliform-positive sample taken under 310 CMR 22.05(1)(f)1.,
a Supplier of Water shall comply with the repeat monitoring requirements and E. coli
analytical requirements in 310 CMR 22.05(2).
3. Once all monitoring required by 310 CMR 22.05(1)(f) and (2) for a calendar month
has been completed, a Supplier of Water shall determine whether any coliform Treatment
Technique triggers specified in 310 CMR 22.05(4) have been exceeded. If any trigger
has been exceeded, a Supplier of Water shall complete assessments as required by
310 CMR 22.05(4).
4. Seasonal Systems.
a. All Seasonal Systems must demonstrate completion of a Department-approved
start-up procedure, in accordance with 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)6.a. and (e)3.a. which
includes a requirement for start-up sampling prior to serving water to the public.
b. The Department may exempt any Seasonal System from some or all of the
requirements for Seasonal Systems if the entire Distribution System remains
pressurized during the entire period that the system is not operating.
5. Monitoring Frequency for Total Coliforms. All Suppliers of Water described in
310 CMR 22.05(1)(f)1. (including consecutive systems) shall monitor for total coliforms
monthly. No such Supplier of Water shall be eligible for quarterly monitoring.
6. A Public Water System that uses Surface Water or Groundwater Under the Direct
Influence of Surface Water, as defined in 310 CMR 22.02, that does not practice
Filtration (in compliance with 310 CMR 22.20A, 22.20D, 22.20F, and 22.20G) must
collect at least one total coliform sample Near the First Service Connection each day the
Turbidity level of the source water, measured as specified in 310 CMR 22.20A(5)(b)2.,
exceeds one NTU. This sample must be analyzed for the presence of total coliform.
When one or more Turbidity measurements in any day exceeds one NTU, the Supplier
of Water must collect this coliform sample within 24 hours of the first exceedance,
unless the Department determines that the Supplier of Water, for logistical reasons
outside the Supplier of Water 's control, cannot have the sample analyzed within 30 hours
of collection and identifies an alternative sample collection schedule. Sample results
from this coliform monitoring must be included in determining whether the coliform
Treatment Technique trigger in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a) has been exceeded.
(2) Repeat Monitoring and E. coli Requirements.
(a) Repeat Monitoring. If a sample taken under 310 CMR 22.05(1) is total
coliform-positive, the Supplier of Water must collect a set of repeat samples within 24 hours
of being notified of the positive result. A Supplier of Water must collect no fewer than three
repeat samples for each total coliform-positive sample found. The Supplier of Water may
request an extension of the 24-hour limit on a case-by-case basis, subject to Department
approval. In order to obtain such approval, the Supplier of Water shall demonstrate a
logistical problem in collecting the repeat samples within 24 hours that is beyond its control.
In the case of an extension, the Supplier of Water must collect the repeat samples within the
amount of time specified by the Department. There shall be no waiver granted from the
requirement for a Supplier of Water to collect repeat samples in 310 CMR 22.05(2)(a), (c)
and (d).
(b) Unless the provisions of 310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3.d.i. or ii. are met, the Supplier of Water
must collect at least one repeat sample from the sampling tap where the original total
coliform-positive sample was taken, and at least one repeat sample at a tap within five
service connections upstream and at least one repeat sample at a tap within five service
connections downstream of the original sampling site. If a total coliform-positive sample is
at the end of the Distribution System, or one service connection away from the end of the
Distribution System, the Supplier of Water must still take all required repeat samples, using
an alternative sampling location approved by the Department in lieu of the requirement to
collect at least one repeat sample upstream or downstream of the original sampling site.
Except as provided for in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3.d.ii., a Supplier of Water required to
conduct triggered source water monitoring under 310 CMR 22.26(3)(a) must take
groundwater source sample(s) in addition to repeat samples required under 310 CMR
22.05(2).
22.05: continued
(c) A Supplier of Water must collect all repeat samples on the same day, except that a
Public Water System with a Single Service Connection, in accordance with a coliform
sampling plan approved pursuant to 310 CMR 22.05(1)(a)3., may collect:
1. the required set of repeat samples over a three-day period; or
2. a larger volume repeat sample(s) in one or more sample containers of any size, as
long as the total volume collected is at least 300 ml.
(d) If one or more repeat samples in the current set of repeat samples is total
coliform-positive, the Supplier of Water must collect an additional set of repeat samples in
the manner specified in 310 CMR 22.05(2)(a), (c) and (d). The additional samples must be
collected within 24 hours of being notified of the positive result, unless the Department
extends the limit as provided in 310 CMR 22.05(2)(a). A Supplier of Water must continue
to collect additional sets of repeat samples until either total coliforms are not detected in one
complete set of repeat samples or the Supplier of Water determines that a coliform Treatment
Technique trigger in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a) has been exceeded as a result of a repeat sample
being total coliform-positive and notifies the Department in accordance with 310 CMR
22.05(4)(a). If a trigger identified in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a) is exceeded as a result of a
routine samples being total coliform-positive, a Supplier of Water is required to conduct only
one round of repeat monitoring for each total coliform-positive routine sample.
(e) After a Supplier of Water collects a routine sample and before it learns the results of the
analysis of that sample, if it collects another routine sample(s) from within five adjacent
service connections of the initial sample, and the initial sample, after analysis, is found to
contain total coliforms, then the Supplier of Water may count the subsequent sample(s) as
a repeat sample instead of as a routine sample.
(f) Results of all routine and repeat samples taken under 310 CMR 22.05(1) and 310 CMR
22.05(2) not invalidated by the Department must be used to determine whether a coliform
Treatment Technique trigger specified in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a) has been exceeded.
(g) Escherichia coli (E. coli) Testing.
1. If any routine or repeat sample is total coliform-positive, the Supplier of Water shall
analyze that total coliform-positive culture medium to determine if E. coli are present.
If E. coli are present the Supplier of Water must notify and consult with the Department
as soon as possible but no later than the end of the day when the Supplier of Water learns
of an E. coli MCL violation. If the Public Water System receives such notification
outside of the Department's regular business hours, then it shall provide notification to
the Department by calling the Department's Emergency notification telephone number
and using any other electronic reporting tool designated by the Department, or other
Department designated numbers.
2. A Supplier of Water may forgo E. coli testing on a total coliform-positive sample
provided that the Supplier of Water assumes the total coliform-positive sample is E.
coli-positive, in which case the provisions of 310 CMR 22.05(8)(a) shall apply for
purposes of determining whether the Public Water System is in compliance with the
MCL for E. coli. The Supplier of Water making such assumption shall notify the
Department as specified in 310 CMR 22.05(2)(g)1.
(3) Invalidation of Total Coliform Samples. A total coliform-positive sample invalidated under
310 CMR 22.05(3) does not count towards meeting the minimum monitoring requirements of
310 CMR 22.05(1).
(a) A Supplier of Water may request that a total coliform-positive sample be invalidated,
subject to Department approval. Any such request shall satisfy the conditions of 310 CMR
22.05(3)(a)1. through 3.
1. The laboratory establishes that improper sample analysis caused the total
coliform-positive result.
2. The Supplier of Water demonstrates, on the basis of the results of repeat samples
collected as required by 310 CMR 22.05(2)(a) through (d), that the total
coliform-positive sample resulted from a domestic or other non-Distribution System
plumbing problem. No sample shall be invalidated on the basis of repeat sample results
unless all repeat sample(s) collected at the same tap as the original total coliform-positive
sample are also total coliform-positive, and all repeat samples collected at a location
other than the original tap are total coliform-negative (e.g., no total coliform-positive
sample shall be invalidated on the basis of repeat samples if all the repeat samples are
total coliform-negative, or if the Public Water System has only one service connection).
22.05: continued
3. The Department has substantial grounds to believe that a total coliform-positive
result is due to a circumstance or condition which does not reflect water quality in the
Distribution System. In this case, the Supplier of Water must still collect all repeat
samples required under 310 CMR 22.05(2)(a) through (d), and use them to determine if
a coliform Treatment Technique trigger in 310 CMR 22.05(4) has been exceeded. To
invalidate a total coliform-positive sample under 310 CMR 22.05(3)(a)3., the decision
and supporting rationale must be documented in writing, and approved and signed by the
supervisor of the Department official who recommended the decision. The Department
must make this document available to EPA and the public. The written documentation
must state the specific cause of the total coliform-positive sample, and what action the
Supplier of Water has taken, or will take to correct this problem. The Department may
not invalidate a total coliform-positive sample solely on the grounds that all repeat
samples are total coliform-negative.
(b) A laboratory must invalidate a total coliform sample (unless total coliform are detected)
if the sample produces a turbid culture in the absence of gas production using an analytical
method where gas formation is examined (e.g., the Multiple-tube Fermentation Technique),
produces a turbid culture in the absence of an acid reaction in the Presence-Absence (P-A)
Coliform Test, or exhibits confluent growth or produces colonies Too Numerous to Count
with an analytical method using a membrane filter (e.g., Membrane Filter Technique). If a
laboratory invalidates a sample because of such interference, the Supplier of Water must
collect another sample from the same location as the original sample within 24 hours of
being notified of the interference problem, and have it analyzed for the presence of total
coliforms. The Supplier of Water must continue to re-sample within 24 hours and have the
samples analyzed until it obtains a valid result. The Department may waive the 24-hour time
limit on a case-by-case basis.
(4) Coliform Treatment Technique Triggers and Assessment Requirements for Protection
against Potential Fecal Contamination.
(a) Treatment Technique Triggers. A Supplier of Water shall conduct assessments in
accordance with 310 CMR 22.05(4)(b) after exceeding any Treatment Technique trigger in
310 CMR 22.05(4)(a)1. or 2.; and shall notify the Department as soon as possible but no later
than five calendar days after the collection date of the sample that triggered the assessment.
1. Level 1 Treatment Technique Triggers. Any of the following occurrences is a Level
1 Treatment Technique trigger:
a. for a Supplier of Water taking 40 or more samples per month, the Public Water
System exceeds 5.0% total coliform-positive samples for the month;
b. for a Supplier of Water taking fewer than 40 samples per month, the Public Water
System has two or more total coliform-positive samples in the same month; or
c. for each Supplier of Water, failure to take every required repeat sample after any
single total coliform-positive sample.
2. Level 2 Treatment Technique Triggers. Any of the following occurrences is a Level
2 Treatment Technique trigger:
a. An E. coli MCL violation, as specified in 310 CMR 22.05(11); or
b. A second occurrence of a Level 1 trigger, as defined in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a)1.,
within a rolling 12-month period, unless the Department has determined a likely
reason that the samples that caused the first Level 1 Treatment Technique trigger
were total coliform-positive and has established that the Supplier of Water has
corrected the problem.
(b) Requirements for Assessments.
1. Parties responsible for performing assessments.
a. Level 1 Assessments. A Supplier of Water shall ensure that Level 1 Assessments
are conducted in order to identify the possible presence of Sanitary Defects and
defects in Distribution System coliform monitoring practices. Level 1 Assessments
shall be conducted by the Supplier of Water unless notified in writing by the
Department, within ten days of the Supplier of Water's Treatment Technique trigger
notification to the Department pursuant to 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a) that the Department
will conduct the assessment.
22.05: continued
b. Level 2 Assessments. A Supplier of Water shall ensure that Level 2 Assessments
are conducted, by Department-approved parties, in order to identify the possible
presence of Sanitary Defects and defects in Distribution System coliform monitoring
practices; unless notified in writing, within ten days of the Supplier of Water's
Treatment Technique trigger notification to the Department pursuant to 310 CMR
22.05(4)(a), that the Level 2 Assessment will be conducted by the Department.
c. All assessments shall be submitted in a Department-approved format.
2. When conducting assessments, Suppliers of Water must ensure that the assessor's
evaluation includes review and identification of the following elements, at a minimum:
a. inadequacies in sample sites;
b. sampling protocol;
c. sample processing;
d. atypical events that could affect distributed water quality or indicate that
distributed water quality was impaired;
e. changes in Distribution System maintenance and operation that could affect
distributed water quality (including water storage);
f. source and treatment considerations that bear on distributed water quality, where
appropriate (e.g., small groundwater Public Water Systems); and
g. existing water quality monitoring data.
When conducting an assessment under 310 CMR 22.05(4) a Public Water System
may integrate any other required assessment (e.g. an assessment under the Groundwater
Rule) provided that the integrated assessment shall meet all applicable requirements of
all such rules.
3. Level 1 Assessments. A Supplier of Water must conduct a Level 1 Assessment
consistent with Department requirements if the Public Water System exceeds one of the
Treatment Technique triggers in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a)1.
a. The Supplier of Water must complete and submit to the Department a Level 1
Assessment as soon as practical after collecting the sample that triggered the
assessment in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a)1., but no later than 30 days after the collection
date. In the completed assessment form, (which may include any relevant portions
of a corrective action plan submitted under 310 CMR 22.26(4)), the Supplier of
Water shall either:
i. describe any Sanitary Defects detected;
ii. describe all corrective actions completed;
iii. propose a timetable for any corrective actions not yet completed;
iv. describe any interim measures it plans to implement for the protection of
human health prior to the completion of any corrective actions, including a
timetable for doing so; or
v. state that no Sanitary Defects were identified.
b. The Supplier of Water, upon notification from the Department that the Level 1
Assessment is not sufficient (including any proposed timetable for any corrective
actions not yet completed) shall consult with the Department regarding the
assessment. Following such consultation, the Supplier of Water shall submit a
revised assessment on a schedule approved by the Department not to exceed 30 days
from the date of the consultation.
c. All Level 1 Assessments, including any revised Level 1 Assessments pursuant to
310 CMR 22.05(4)(b)3.b. shall be subject to the Department's review to determine
whether the Supplier of Water has identified a likely cause for the Level 1 trigger and
whether the Supplier of Water has corrected the problem, or has included a schedule
acceptable to the Department including any Department-specified interim measures,
for correcting the problem.
i. The Supplier of Water shall comply with any interim measures, including any
specified schedule, specified by the Department for the protection of public
health, pending Department approval of the corrective action plan, or the Supplier
of Water's completion of the corrective action plan, or both.
ii. No Department-approved corrective action plan may be modified unless such
modification is approved by the Department.
22.05: continued
4. Level 2 Assessments. A Supplier of Water must ensure that a Level 2 Assessment
consistent with Department requirements is conducted if the Public Water System
exceeds one of the Treatment Technique triggers in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a)2. The
Supplier of Water shall comply with any expedited actions or additional actions required
by the Department in the case of an E. coli MCL violation.
a. Unless the Department notifies the Supplier of Water that the Department intends
to conduct the Level 2 Assessment, the Supplier of Water must ensure that a Level
2 Assessment is completed by a party approved by the Department as soon as
practical after any trigger in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a)2. The Supplier of Water must
submit a completed Level 2 Assessment form to the Department no later than 30 days
after the collection date of the sample that triggered the assessment. The completed
assessment form (which may include any relevant portions of a corrective action plan
submitted under 310 CMR 22.26(4)) must either:
i. describe any Sanitary Defects detected;
ii. describe all corrective actions completed;
iii. propose a timetable for any corrective actions not yet completed;
iv. describe any interim measures planned for the protection of human health
prior to the completion of any corrective actions, including a timetable for
performing those interim measures; or
v. state that no Sanitary Defects were identified.
b. The Supplier of Water may conduct Level 2 Assessments if the Public Water
System has staff or management with the certification or qualifications specified by
the Department unless otherwise directed by the Department.
c. The Supplier of Water, upon notification from the Department that a Level 2
Assessment, the performance of which is ensured by the Supplier of Water, is not
sufficient (including any proposed timetable for any corrective actions not yet
completed) shall consult with the Department regarding the assessment. Following
such consultation, the Supplier of Water shall submit a revised assessment on a
schedule approved by the Department not to exceed 30 days from the date of the
consultation.
d. Upon the Supplier of Water completing and submitting the assessment form, the
Department will determine if the Supplier of Water has identified a likely cause for
the Level 2 trigger and if so the Department will determine whether the Supplier of
Water has corrected the problem, or has included a schedule acceptable to the
Department for correcting the problem.
i. If the Department has specified interim measures for protection of the public
health pending Department approval of the corrective action plan and schedule
or pending completion of the corrective action plan, or both, the Supplier of
Water shall comply with these interim measures, including any specified
schedule.
ii. Any subsequent modifications to a Department-approved corrective action
plan must also be approved by the Department.
(c) Corrective Action. Supplier of Water shall correct Sanitary Defects found through either
Level 1 or Level 2 Assessments conducted under 310 CMR 22.05(4)(b). For corrections not
completed by the time of submission of the assessment form, the Supplier of Water shall
complete the corrective action(s) in compliance with a timetable approved by the Department
in consultation with the Supplier of Water. The Supplier of Water shall notify the
Department in writing when each scheduled corrective action is completed.
(d) Consultation. At any time during the assessment or corrective action phase, the Supplier
of Water may request a consultation with the Department to determine the appropriate
actions to be taken. In addition, the Supplier of Water shall consult with the Department upon
written notification from the Department to do so. The Supplier of Water may consult with
the Department on all relevant information that may impact its ability to comply with a
requirements of 310 CMR 22.05(4), including the method of accomplishment, an appropriate
timeframe, and other relevant information.
(5) Maximum Microbiological Contaminant Levels, Monitoring Requirements and
Analytical Methods. (Reserved)
22.05: continued
(6) Analytical Methodology.
(a) The Standard Sample volume required for analysis, regardless of analytical method used,
is 100 ml.
(b) Public Water Systems need only determine the presence or absence of total coliform and
E. coli; a determination of density is not required.
(c) The time from sample collection to initiation of test medium incubation shall not exceed
30 hours. Suppliers of Water are encouraged but not required to hold samples below 10/C
during transit.
(d) If water having residual chlorine (measured as free, combined, or total chlorine) is to be
analyzed, sufficient sodium thiosulfate (Na S O ) must be added to the sample bottle before
sterilization to neutralize any residual chlorine in the water sample. Dechlorination
procedures are addressed in Section 9060A.2 of Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater, 20 edition (1998) and 21 edition (2005), American Public Health
th
st
Association, 800 I Street, NW., Washington, DC 20001.
(e) Public Water Systems must conduct total coliform and E. coli analyses in accordance
with one of the analytical methods in the following table or one of the alternative methods
described in 310 CMR 22.10.
22.05: continued
Organism
Methodology Category
Method
Citation
Total Coliforms
Membrane Filtration Methods . . . . .
Standard Total Coliform
Membrane
Filter Procedure . . . . . . . . . .
Membrane Filtration using MI
Medium
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
m-ColiBlue24® Test
. . . . .
2,4
Chromocult
. . . . . . . . . . . .
2,4
Standard Methods 9222 B, C
(20 ed.; 21 ed.)
th
st
2,4
Standard Methods Online
9222 B-97
, 9222 C -97
2, 4
2,4
EPA Method 16042
Enzyme Substrate Methods . . . . . . .
Colilert®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Colisure® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E*Colite® Test
. . . . . . . . . .
Readycult® Test
modified
2, 9
Colitag® Test
. . . . . . . . . . .
Standard Methods 9223 B
(20 ed.; 21 ed.)
th
st
2, 5
Standard Methods 9223 B
(20 ed.; 21 ed.)
th
st
2, 5, 6
Standard Methods Online
9223 B-972, 5
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli Partition Method . .
Membrane Filtration Methods . . . . .
Enzyme Substrate Methods . . . . . . .
EC broth with MUG
(EC-MUG) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NA-MUG medium . . . . . . . .
Membrane Filtration using MI
medium
m-ColiBlue24® Test
. . . .
2, 4
Chromocult
. . . . . . . . . . . .
2, 4
Colilert®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Colisure® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E*Colite® Test2
Readycult® Test2
modified Colitag® Test2
Standard Methods 9222 G.1
c(2) (20 ed.; 21 ed.)
th
st
2, 8
Standard Methods 9222
G.1c(1) (20 ed.; 21 ed.)
th
st
EPA Method 16042
Standard Methods 9223 B
(20 ed.; 21 ed.)
th
st
2, 5
Standard Methods Online
9223 B-972, 5, 6
Standard Methods 9223 B
(20 ed.; 21 ed.)
th
st
2, 5, 6
Standard Methods Online
9223 B-972, 5, 6
The procedures must be done in accordance with the documents listed in 310 CMR 22.05(6)(g). For Standard Methods, either
editions, 20 (1998) or 21 (2005), may be used. For the Standard Methods Online, the year in which each method was approved
th
st
by the Standard Methods Committee is designated by the last two digits following the hyphen in the method number. The methods
listed are the only online versions that may be used. For vendor methods, the date of the method listed in 310 CMR 22.05(6)(g)
is the date/version of the approved method. The methods listed are the only versions that may be used for compliance with this rule.
Laboratories should be careful to use only the approved versions of the methods, as product package inserts may not be the same
as the approved versions of the methods.
Incorporated by reference. See 310 CMR 22.05(6)(g).
22.05: continued
Lactose broth, as commercially available, may be used in lieu of lauryl tryptose broth, if the Public Water System conducts at least
25 parallel tests between lactose broth and lauryl tryptose broth using the water normally tested, and if the findings from this
comparison demonstrate that the false-positive rate and false-negative rate for total coliforms, using lactose broth, is less than 10%.
All Filtration series must begin with Membrane Filtration equipment that has been sterilized by autoclaving. Exposure of Filtration
equipment to UV light is not adequate to ensure sterilization. Subsequent to the initial autoclaving, exposure of the Filtration
equipment to UV light may be used to sanitize the funnels between filtrations within a Filtration series. Alternatively, Membrane
Filtration equipment that is pre-sterilized by the manufacturer (i.e., disposable funnel units) may be used.
Multiple-tube and multi-well enumerative formats for this method are approved for use in presence-absence determination under
310 CMR 22.00.
Colisure® results may be read after an incubation time of 24 hours.
A multiple tube enumerative format, as described in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 9221, is
approved for this method for use in presence-absence determination under this regulation.
The following changes must be made to the EC broth with MUG (EC-MUG) formulation: Potassium dihydrogen phosphate,
KH2PO4, must be 1.5g, and 4-methylumbelliferyl-Beta-D-glucuronide must be 0.05 g.
(f) Laboratory Certification. Public Water Systems must have all compliance samples
required under 310 CMR 22.05(1) and 310 CMR 22.05(2) analyzed by a laboratory certified
by the Department or EPA to analyze drinking water samples. The laboratory used by the
Public Water System must be certified for each method (and associated contaminant(s)) used
for compliance monitoring analyses under 310 CMR 22.05(1) and 310 CMR 22.05(2).
(g) Incorporation by Reference. The following standards are incorporated by reference into
310 CMR 22.05.
1. American Public Health Association, 800 I Street, NW., Washington, DC 20001.
a. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20 edition
th
(1998):
i. Standard Methods 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of the
Coliform Group, B, Standard Total Coliform Membrane Filter Procedure.
ii. Standard Methods 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of the
Coliform Group, C, Delayed-Incubation Total Coliform Procedure.
iii. Standard Methods 9223, Enzyme Substrate Coliform Test, B, Enzyme
Substrate Test, Colilert and Colisure.
iv. Standard Methods 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of the
Coliform Group, G.1.c(2), Escherichia coli Partition Method: EC broth with
MUG (EC- MUG).
v. Standard Methods 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of the
Coliform Group, G.1.c(1), Escherichia coli Partition Method: NA-MUG medium.
b. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21 edition
st
(2005):
i. Standard Methods 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of the
Coliform Group, B, Standard Total Coliform Membrane Filter Procedure.
ii. Standard Methods 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of the
Coliform Group, C, Delayed-Incubation Total Coliform Procedure.
iii Standard Methods 9223, Enzyme Substrate Coliform Test, B, Enzyme
Substrate Test, Colilert and Colisure.
iv. Standard Methods 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of the
Coliform Group, G.1.c(2), Escherichia coli Partition Method: EC broth with
MUG (EC- MUG).
v. Standard Methods 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of the
Coliform Group, G.1.c(1), Escherichia coli Partition Method: NA-MUG medium.
c. Standard Methods Online available at http://www.standardmethods.org.
i. Standard Methods Online 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of
the Coliform Group (1997), B-97, Standard Total Coliform Membrane Filter
Procedure.
ii. Standard Methods Online 9222, Membrane Filter Technique for Members of
the Coliform Group (1997), C-97, Delayed-incubation Total Coliform Procedure.
iii. Standard Methods Online 9223, Enzyme Substrate Coliform Test (1997),
B-97, Enzyme Substrate Test, Colilert and Colisure.
22.05: continued
2. Charm Sciences, Inc., 659 Andover Street, Lawrence, MA 01843-1032, telephone
1-800-343-2170: E*Colite - Charm E*ColiteTM Presence/Absence Test for Detection
and Identification of Coliform Bacteria and Escherichia coli in Drinking Water,
January 9, 1998.
3. CPI International, Inc., 5580 Skylane Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA, 95403, telephone
1-800-878-7654: modified Colitag, ATP D05- 0035-Modified ColitagTM Test Method
for the Simultaneous Detection of E. coli and other Total Coliforms in Water,
August 28, 2009.
4. EMD Millipore (a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt Germany), 290 Concord
Road, Billerica, MA 01821, telephone 1-800-645-5476:
a. Chromocult - Chromocult Coliform Agar Presence/Absence Membrane Filter
Test Method for Detection and Identification of Coliform Bacteria and Escherichia
coli for Finished Waters, November 2000, Version 1.0.
b. Readycult - Readycult Coliforms 100 Presence/Absence Test for Detection and
Identification of Coliform Bacteria and Escherichia coli in Finished Waters,
January 2007, Version 1.1.
5. EPA's Water Resource Center (MC-4100T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20460, telephone 1-202-566-1729: EPA Method 1604, EPA 821-R-02-
024- EPA Method 1604: Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli in Water by Membrane
Filtration Using a Simultaneous Detection Technique (MI Medium), September 2002.
6. Hach Company, P.O. Box 389, Loveland, CO 80539, telephone 1-800- 604-3493:
m-ColiBlue24 - Membrane Filtration Method m-ColiBlue24 Broth, Revision 2, August
17, 1999.
(7) Maximum Microbiological Contaminant Levels, Monitoring Requirements and Analytical
Methods. (Reserved)
(8) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for Microbiological Contaminants.
(a) A Public Water System shall be considered to be in compliance with the MCL for E. coli
for samples taken under 310 CMR 22.05, unless any of the conditions identified in 310 CMR
22.05(8)(a)1. through 4. occurs. For purposes of the public notification requirements in
310 CMR 22.16, the occurrence of any of the following conditions is a violation that may
pose an acute risk to health:
1. the Public Water System has an E. coli-positive repeat sample following an
associated total coliform-positive routine sample;
2. the Public Water System has a total coliform-positive repeat sample following an
E. coli-positive routine sample;
3. the Supplier of Water fails to take all required repeat samples following an
E. coli-positive routine sample; or
4. the Supplier of Water fails to test for E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive
for total coliform.
(b) A Supplier of Water shall determine compliance with the MCL for E. coli in 310 CMR
22.05(8)(a) for each month in which it is required to monitor for total coliforms.
(c) As provided in 310 CMR 22.26(3)(a), a Supplier of Water who is in violation of
310 CMR 22.05(8)(a)1. due to an E. coli-positive repeat sample taken at the monitoring
location required for triggered source water monitoring under 310 CMR 22.26(3)(a), is also
subject to 310 CMR 22.26(3)(a)4.
(9) Best Available Technology, Treatment Techniques.
(a) The following have been determined to provide best available technology, treatment
techniques or other means available for achieving compliance with the Maximum
Contaminant Level for E. coli in 310 CMR 22.05(8)(a):
1. Protection of wells from fecal contamination by appropriate placement and
construction;
2. Maintenance of a disinfectant residual throughout the distribution system;
3. Proper maintenance of the distribution system including appropriate pipe replacement
and repair procedures, main flushing programs, proper operation and maintenance of
storage tanks and reservoirs, cross connection control and continual maintenance of
positive water pressure in all parts of the distribution system;
22.05: continued
4. Filtration and/or disinfection of surface water, as described in 310 CMR 22.20A,
310 CMR 22.20D, 22.20F, and 22.20G or disinfection of ground water using strong
oxidants such as chlorine, chlorine dioxide, or ozone; and
5. For Public Water Systems using groundwater, compliance with the Department's
wellhead protection requirements under 310 CMR 22.21(1).
(b) The Department hereby identifies the technology, Treatment Techniques, or other means
available identified in 310 CMR 22.05(9)(a)1. through 5. as affordable technology,
Treatment Techniques, or other means available to Public Water Systems serving 10,000 or
fewer people for achieving compliance with the Maximum Contaminant Level for E. coli in
310 CMR 22.05(8)(a).
(10) Maximum Microbiological Contaminant Levels, Monitoring Requirements and
Analytical Methods. (Reserved)
(11) Violations.
(a) E. coli MCL Violation. A Supplier of Water at whose Public Water System any of the
conditions identified in 310 CMR 22.05(8)(a)1. through 4. occurs is in violation of the MCL
for E. coli.
(b) Treatment Technique Violation. Each of the following occurrences is a Treatment
Technique violation:
1. when a Public Water System exceeds a Treatment Technique trigger specified in
310 CMR 22.05(4)(a)1.a. through c. or in 2.a. through b. and the Supplier of Water then
fails to conduct the required assessment or corrective actions within the timeframe
specified in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(b) and (c). A Supplier of Water that has failed to submit
the required assessment form within the timeline specified in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(b)3.a.
or 4.a. shall be deemed to have failed to conduct the assessment; or
2. when a Seasonal System fails to complete a Department-approved start-up procedure
prior to serving water to the public. A Public Water System that has failed to submit a
required start-up certification within the timeframe specified in 310 CMR 22.05(12)(a)5.
shall be deemed to have failed to complete the start-up procedure.
(c) Monitoring Violations. Each of the following occurrences is monitoring violation:
1. failure to take every required routine or additional routine sample in a Compliance
Period; or
2. failure to analyze for E. coli following a total coliform-positive routine sample is a
monitoring violation.
(d) Reporting Violations. Each of the following occurrences is a reporting violation:
1. failure to submit a monitoring report or completed assessment form after a Public
Water System properly conducts monitoring or assessment by the deadlines established
in 310 CMR 22.15(2)(a) and (b), and 22.05(4)(b)3.a. and 4.a. respectively;
2. failure to notify the Department following an E. coli-positive sample as required by
310 CMR 22.05(12)(a)1.b. and by the deadline established in 310 CMR 22.05(2)(g);
3. failure to submit certification of completion of Department-approved start-up
procedure by a Seasonal System by the deadline established in 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)6.a.
or (e)5.a.;
4. failure to notify the Department of a Treatment Technique trigger by the deadline
established in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a); or
5. failure to notify the Department of an E. coli MCL violation in accordance with
310 CMR 22.05(12)(a)1.a.
(12) Reporting and Recordkeeping.
(a) Reporting.
1. E. coli.
a. A Supplier of Water shall notify and consult with the Department as soon as
possible but no later than the end of the day when the Supplier of Water learns of an
E. coli MCL violation and shall notify the public in accordance with 310 CMR 22.16.
If the Supplier of Water receives such notification outside of the Department's regular
business hours, then it shall provide notification to the Department by calling the
Department's Emergency notification telephone number and using any other
electronic reporting tool designated by the Department, or other Department
designated numbers.
22.05: continued
b. If E. coli are present in a routine sample, the Supplier of Water shall notify and
consult with the Department on the same day as the Supplier of Water receives
notification from the laboratory. If the Supplier of Water receives such notification
outside of the Department's regular business hours, then the Supplier of Water shall
on the same day call the Department's Emergency notification telephone number and
use any other electronic reporting tool designated by the Department, or other
Department designated numbers.
2. A Supplier of Water whose Public Water System has violated the Treatment
Technique for coliforms in 310 CMR 22.05(4)(a) shall report the violation to the
Department no later than the end of the next business day after it learns of the violation,
and notify the public in accordance with 310 CMR 22.16.
3. A Supplier of Water required to conduct an assessment under 310 CMR 22.05(4)
shall submit the assessment report as soon as possible but not later than 30 days after the
collection date of the sample that triggered the assessment, pursuant to 310 CMR
22.05(4)(b)3.a or 4.a.
The Supplier of Water shall notify the Department in accordance with 310 CMR
22.05(4)(c) when each scheduled corrective action is completed for corrections not
completed by the time of submission of the assessment form.
4. A Supplier of Water who has failed to comply with a coliform monitoring
requirement shall report the monitoring violation to the Department within ten days after
the Supplier of Water discovers the violation and notify the public in accordance with
310 CMR 22.16.
5. At the beginning of each operating period, a Supplier of Water of a Seasonal System
shall certify, prior to serving water to the public, that it has complied with the
Department-approved start-up procedure in accordance with 310 CMR 22.05(1)(d)6.a.
or (e)3.a.
6. A Supplier of Water shall notify the Department as soon as possible but no later than
five days after the collection date of the sample that, in accordance with 310 CMR
22.05(4)(a)1. or 2., triggered an assessment.
(b) Recordkeeping.
1. The Supplier of Water shall maintain any assessment form, regardless of who
conducts the assessment, and documentation of corrective actions completed as a result
of those assessments, or other available summary documentation of the Sanitary Defects
and corrective actions taken under 310 CMR 22.05(4), for Department review. This
record shall be maintained by the Supplier of Water for a period not less than five years
after completion of the assessment or corrective action.
2. The Supplier of Water shall maintain a record of any repeat sample taken that meets
Department criteria for an extension of the 24-hour period for collecting repeat samples
as provided for under 310 CMR 22.05(2)(a).