Section 327IAC8-2-39. Monitoring requirements for lead and copper in source water

   (a) Requirements for sample location, collection methods, and number of samples shall be as follows:

(1) A water system that fails to meet the lead or copper action level on the basis of tap samples collected in accordance with section 37 of this rule shall collect lead and copper source water samples in accordance with the following requirements regarding sample location, number of samples, and collection methods:

(A) Ground water systems shall take a minimum of one (1) sample at every entry point to the distribution system that is representative of each well after treatment. This is called a sampling point. The system shall take one (1) sample at the same sampling point unless conditions make another sampling point more representative of each source or treatment plant.

(B) Surface water systems, or systems with a combination of ground and surface water sources, shall take a minimum of one (1) sample:

(i) at every entry point to the distribution system after any application of treatment; or

(ii) in the distribution system at a point that is representative of each source after treatment. This is called a sampling point.

The system shall take each sample at the same sampling point unless conditions make another sampling point more representative of each source or treatment plant.

(C) If:

(i) a system draws water from more than one (1) source; and

(ii) the sources are combined before distribution;

the system must sample at an entry point to the distribution system during periods of normal operating conditions when water representative of all sources is being used.

(D) The commissioner may reduce the total number of samples that must be analyzed by allowing the use of compositing according to the following:

(i) Compositing of samples must be done by certified laboratory personnel.

(ii) Composite samples from a maximum of five (5) samples are allowed, provided that if the lead concentration in the composite sample is greater than one-thousandth (0.001) milligram/liter (mg/L) or the copper concentration is greater than one hundred sixty-thousandths (0.160) mg/L, then either of the following shall be done:

(AA) A follow-up sample shall be taken and analyzed within fourteen (14) days at each sampling point used in the composite.

(BB) If duplicates of or sufficient quantities from the original samples from each sampling point used in the composite are available, the system may use these instead of resampling.

(2) Where the results of sampling indicate the maximum permissible source water levels established under section 42(b)(4) of this rule have been exceeded, the commissioner may require that one (1) additional sample be collected as soon as possible after the initial sample was taken (but not to exceed two (2) weeks) at the same sampling point. The additional sample shall meet the following:

(A) If a confirmation sample required by the commissioner is taken for lead or copper, then the results of the initial and confirmation sample shall be averaged in determining compliance with the maximum permissible levels specified by the commissioner.

(B) Any sample value below the detection limit shall be considered to be zero (0).

(C) Any value above the detection limit but below the practical quantitation level shall either be considered as:

(i) the measured value; or

(ii) one-half (1/2) the practical quantitation level.

  (b) Any system that exceeds the lead or copper action level at the tap shall collect one (1) source water sample from each entry point to the distribution system not later than six (6) months after the end of the monitoring period during which the lead or copper action level was exceeded. For monitoring periods that are annual or less frequent, the end of the monitoring period is:

(1) September 30 of the calendar year in which the sampling occurs; or

(2) the last day of an alternate monitoring period, if one is specified by the commissioner.

  (c) Any system that installs source water treatment under STEP THREE of section 42(a) of this rule shall collect an additional source water sample from each entry point to the distribution system during two (2) consecutive six (6) month monitoring periods by the deadline specified in STEP FOUR of section 42(a) of this rule.

  (d) Requirements for monitoring frequency after the commissioner specifies maximum permissible source water levels or determines that source water treatment is not needed shall be as follows:

(1) A system shall monitor at the frequency specified as follows in cases where the commissioner specifies maximum permissible source water levels under STEP FOUR of section 42(a) of this rule or determines that the system is not required to install source water treatment under STEP TWO of section 42(a) of this rule:

(A) A water system using only ground water shall collect samples once during the three (3) year compliance period (as that term is defined in section 1(14) of this rule) in effect when the applicable determination under this subdivision and section 42 of this rule is made by the commissioner. The system shall collect samples once during each subsequent compliance period. Triennial samples must be collected every third calendar year.

(B) A water system using surface water (or a combination of surface and ground water) shall collect samples once during each year, the first annual monitoring period to begin during the year in which the applicable determination is made under this subdivision and section 42 of this rule.

(2) A system is not required to conduct source water sampling for lead or copper, or both, if the system meets the action level for the specific contaminant in tap water samples during the entire source water sampling period applicable to the system under subdivision (1).

  (e) Requirements for reduced monitoring frequency shall be as follows:

(1) A water system using only ground water may reduce the monitoring frequency for lead and copper to once during each nine (9) year compliance cycle (as that term is defined in section 1(13) of this rule) provided the samples are collected not later than every ninth calendar year if the system meets one (1) of the following criteria:

(A) The system demonstrates that the finished drinking water entering the distribution system has been maintained below the maximum permissible lead and copper concentrations specified by the commissioner in section 42(b)(4) of this rule during at least three (3) consecutive compliance periods under subsection (d)(1).

(B) The commissioner has determined under section 42(b)(2) of this rule that source water treatment is not needed and the system demonstrates that, during at least three (3) consecutive compliance periods in which sampling was conducted under subsection (d)(1), the concentration of:

(i) lead in source water was less than or equal to five-thousandths (0.005) mg/L; and

(ii) copper in source water was less than or equal to sixty-five hundredths (0.65) mg/L.

(2) A water system using surface water (or a combination of surface water and ground water) may reduce the monitoring frequency in subsection (d)(1) to once during each nine (9) year compliance cycle (as that term is defined in section 1(13) of this rule) if the system meets one (1) of the following criteria:

(A) The system demonstrates that the finished drinking water entering the distribution system has been maintained below the maximum permissible lead and copper concentrations specified by the commissioner in section 42(b)(4) of this rule for at least three (3) consecutive years.

(B) The commissioner has determined under section 42(b)(2) of this rule that source water treatment is not needed and the system demonstrates that, during at least three (3) consecutive years, the concentration of:

(i) lead in source water was less than or equal to five-thousandths (0.005) mg/L; and

(ii) copper in source water was less than or equal to sixty-five hundredths (0.65) mg/L.

(3) A water system that uses a new source of water is not eligible for reduced monitoring for:

(A) lead;

(B) copper; or

(C) both lead and copper;

until concentrations in samples collected from the new source during three (3) consecutive monitoring periods are below the maximum permissible lead and copper concentrations specified by the commissioner in STEP FIVE of section 42(a) of this rule.

(Water Pollution Control Division; 327 IAC 8-2-39; filed Aug 24, 1994, 8:15 a.m.: 18 IR 73; errata filed Oct 11, 1994, 2:45 p.m.: 18 IR 532; filed Oct 26, 2001, 4:55 p.m.: 25 IR 772; filed May 7, 2010, 9:30 a.m.: 20100602-IR-327080198FRA)