310 CMR 22.08
Maximum Turbidity Contaminant Levels, Monitoring Requirements and Analytical Methods for
Unfiltered Systems and for Filtered Systems Not in Compliance with 310 CMR 22.20A
(1) The maximum contaminant level for turbidity, applicable only to public water systems
which use water obtained in whole or in any part from surface water sources, shall be measured
at representative entry point(s) to the distribution system, and shall be:
(a) One turbidity unit, (one NTU, Nephelometric turbidity unit) as determined by a monthly
average rounded to the nearest significant whole number pursuant to 310 CMR 22.08(3)
except that five or fewer turbidity units may be allowed if the supplier of water can
demonstrate to the Department that the higher turbidity does not do any of the following:
1. Interfere with disinfection;
2. Prevent maintenance of an effective disinfectant agent throughout the distribution
system; or
3. Interfere with microbiological determinations.
(b) Five turbidity units, as determined by the arithmetic mean of two consecutive daily
samples pursuant to 310 CMR 22.08(3).
(2) All analyses shall be conducted in accordance with the following methods:
(a) Nephelometric Method 2130B, "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater", American Public Health Association, 14 Edition, pages 132-4, 18 , edition
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(1992), 19 edition (1995), or 20 edition (1998), American Public Health Association, 1015
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Fifteenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005. The cited methods published in any of these
three editions may be used. In addition, the following online versions may also be used:
2130 B-01, 9215 B-00, 9221 A, B, C, E-99, 9222A, B, C, D-97 and 9223 B-97. Standard
Methods Online are available at http://www.standardmethods.org. The year in which each
method was approved by the Standard Methods Committee is designated by the last two
digits in the method number. The methods listed are the only Online versions that may be
used; or
(b) Nephelometric Method, Method 180.1, "Methods in the Determination of Inorganic
Substances in Environmental Samples" EPA-600/R-93-100, August 1995, Available at
NTISPB94-121811.
(c) GLI Method 2, "Turbidity" November 2, 1992, Great Lakes Instrumentation, Inc., 8855
North 55 Street, Milwalkee, Wisconsin
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(d) Hach FilterTrak Method 10133. A description of the Hach Filter Trak Method 10133,
“Determination of Turbidity by Laser Nephelometry”, January 2000, Revision 2.0, can be
obtained from; Hach Co., P.O. Box 389, Loveland, CO 80539-0389, telephone: 800-227-
4224.
(e) Styrene divinyl benzene beads (e.g. AMCO-AEPA-1 or equivalent) and stabilized
formazin (e.g. Hach StablCal™ or equivalent) are acceptable substitutes for formazin.
(3) In no event shall the frequency of sampling be less than as set forth in 310 CMR 22.08(3)(a)
through (d):
(a) Community water systems subject to 310 CMR 22.08 shall commence sampling by not
later than June 24, 1977 and shall take at least one sample per day thereafter. All samples
shall be taken at representative entry point(s) to the distribution system.
(b) Non-community water systems subject to 310 CMR 22.08 shall commence sampling
by not later than June 24, 1979 and shall take at least one sample per day thereafter. All
samples shall be taken at representative entry point(s) to the distribution system.
22.08: continued
(c) If the result of a turbidity analysis pursuant to 310 CMR 22.08(3)(a) and (b) indicates
that the maximum contaminant level has been exceeded, the sampling and measurement shall
be confirmed by resampling as soon as practicable and preferably within one hour. If the
repeat sample confirms that the maximum contaminant level has been exceeded, the supplier
of water shall report to the Department by the end of the next business day. The repeat
sample shall be the sample used for calculating the monthly average pursuant to 310 CMR
22.08(3)(a) and (b). If the monthly average of the daily samples exceeds one turbidity unit,
or if the average of two consecutive daily samples exceeds five turbidity units, the supplier
of water shall notify the public pursuant to 310 CMR 22.16.
(d) If the Department determines that a reduced sampling frequency in a non-community
system will not pose a risk to public health, it can reduce the required sampling frequency.
The option of reducing the turbidity frequency shall be permitted only in those public water
systems that practice disinfection and which maintain an active residual disinfectant in the
distribution system, and in those cases where the Department has indicated in writing that
no unreasonable risk to health existed under the circumstances of this option.
(4) The requirements in 310 CMR 22.08 apply to unfiltered systems that the Department has
determined in writing that filtration is required. The requirements in 310 CMR 22.08 also apply
to filtered systems until such time that said systems are in compliance with 310 CMR 22.20A.
The requirements for unfiltered systems that have met the criteria for avoiding filtration must
comply with 310 CMR 22.20A.