The Drinking Water Advisory Work Group met to present the new federal rules in a training workshop. This report covers the layout of the rules and discussion over the general provisions of the rule.
Introductions
- The RTCR establishes a maximum contaminant level for E. coli and uses E. coli and total coliforms to initiate a “find and fix” approach to address fecal contamination
- Requires public water systems to perform assessments and address sanitary defects
- Goal is to decrease fecal contamination entering the drinking water distribution system and reduce risk from waterborne pathogens
- Takes effect April 1, 2016
Requirements
- Public water systems must develop sample siting plans that identify sample collection schedule
- PWSs monitoring quarterly or annually must also identify additional routine monitoring sites in their sampling site plans
- Plans are subject to state review and revision
- 40 CFR §141.853 – Sample Siting Plans
- Systems must collect total coliform samples according to written plan
- Monitoring may take place at a customer’s premise, dedicated sampling station, or other designated compliance sampling location
- Sites and plan must be representative of water throughout the distribution system
- 30 TAC §290.46(n)(2) and 40 CFR §141.853(a)(6) – Siting Plan Map requirements
- RTCR Sample Sites
- Source Locations
- Treatment
- Water storage facilities
- Distribution lines and size
- Pressure plane boundaries
- Interconnections
- Revised sampling site plans must be done by March 31, 2016
- This rule affects every public water system in the US
- This is in addition to the regular monitoring plan
- Systems will be required to maintain copies of the siting plan map and plan on-site for review
- Quarterly amendments will be made to this new format