EPA Issues Guidance for Public Water System Sampling During COVID-19
EPA has provided a compliance and enforcement guidance document during the COVID-19 pandemic. In it, the EPA outlines its expectations that operators of water systems continue normal operations and maintenance, as well as required sampling to ensure the safety of our drinking water. The document also identifies monitoring and reporting priorities. Those are Total Coliform (TCR) sampling, Lead and Copper sampling, Nitrate, and Nitrite.
EPA guidance language:
"Of highest priority is monitoring required under National Primary Drinking Water Regulations to protect against microbial pathogens. Additional priorities include nitrate/nitrite and Lead and Copper Rule monitoring followed by contaminants for which the system has been non-compliant. States may wish to adopt similar priorities."
The health and safety of water system operators and water customers should be of highest priority; the WV Office of Environmental Health Services can provide instructions for water systems to follow during this pandemic which may minimize risk to the operator and the customer.
TCR sampling: Samples should be collected as required. In the event that sampling cannot be performed safely, operators should collect at a location that is more accessible, including an outside tap, if necessary. After sample collection is complete, operators should note any deviation from their approved plan in a sample plan addendum submitted to their district office. Operators should note on this addendum that sites were selected because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lead and Copper sampling: These samples must be collected as required, but these can be collected any time between 6/1 and 9/30, so there is still time to identify sites that may not be accessible. In the event a sample site is not available or cannot be accessed safely, a new site must be identified and approved by the district office prior to sampling.
Disinfectant By Product (DBP) sampling: Samples are location specific but if sampling cannot be performed safely, operators should collect at a location that is more accessible, including an outside tap, if necessary. If this is still not an option, operators should collect samples at the closest location to the required site. In either case, operators must note on the lab report that the sample location was collected at the "Closest Tap to Approved Location due to COVID-19 pandemic."
Other sampling, such as Nitrate and Nitrite, is collected at the treatment plant and should not pose the safety challenges of those collected in the distribution system, as listed above.
Monthly Operational Reports
MS EXCEL FORMAT
- EW-103 Groundwater Systems Form
- EW-210 Purchase Systems Form
- EW-90 Surface Water Series Form
- EW-80 Fluoride Form
PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT (PDF)
- EW-103 Groundwater Systems Form
- EW-210 Purchase Systems Form
- EW-90 Surface Water Series Form
- EW-80 Fluoride Form
Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP)
Data Submittal Cover Sheets
PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT (PDF)
Monitoring Guidance Form
PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT (PDF)
Revised Total Coliform Rule
PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT (PDF)
- EW-127 RTCR Level 1 Assessment
- EW-128 RTCR Level 2 Assessment
- EW-129 RTCR Seasonal Checklist
- RTCR Sample Site Plan
MS EXCEL FORMAT
Lead and Copper Rule
PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT (PDF)
- LCR Sample Collection Procedure
- LCR Sample Site Certification Form 141-A
- Lead Tap Monitoring Notification Certification
- Optimal Corrosion Control Recommendations Form 141-C
- Lead and Copper Sampling Plan *NEW*
- Additional information regarding the new Lead and Copper Rule
MS WORD 97-2003 FORMAT
- Lead result and 90th percentile value below the lead action level of 15 parts per billion
- Lead result below the lead action level of 15 parts per billion; 90th percentile value above lead action level
- Lead result is above the lead action level of 15 parts per billion; 90th percentile value below the lead action level
- Lead result and 90th percentile value above the lead action level of 15 parts per billion
Public Notice Forms
PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT (PDF)
- Boil Water Notice Form
- Health Department Boil Water Notice Form
- Health Department Public Service Announcement Form
- 24 Hour Notification Form
If you encounter any problems with the EW-80, EW-90, EW-103, or EW-210 please contact Dan Mace at dan.j.mace@wv.gov or 304-352-5023