DEQ - Total Coliform Rule

Total Coliform Rule

This rule establishes microbiological standards and related monitoring requirements for all community and noncommunity water systems.

Bacteriological Sampling Procedure

Select a representative sampling point. Make sure the faucet and tap are clean. There should be no attachments on the faucet or tap.
Flame or bleach the tap using a propane torch or bleach (optional - based on system's knowledge and standard practices).
Run water a minimum of 5 minutes, or for time specified in sampling site plan, to flush line for fresh sample.
Remove cap from sample bottle. Do not touch lip of bottle or inside of cap.
Fill bottle to the neck, leaving an air space at the top.
Recap bottle and secure cap tightly.
Complete laboratory form.
Submit sample to laboratory immediately. Testing must be performed within 24 hours of sampling.

Total Coliform Monitoring Frequency for
Community Water Supplies

Population Served	Minimum Number of Samples Per Month
25 to 1,001	1
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

On February 13, 2013, EPA published in the Federal Register the revisions to the 1989 TCR. Look for it on the U.S. EPA Revised Total Coliform Rule Web page at http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/tcr/regulation_revisions.cfm. EPA anticipates greater public health protection under the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) requirements. The RTCR:

Requires public water systems that are vulnerable to microbial contamination to identify and fix problems; and
Establishes criteria for systems to qualify for and stay on reduced monitoring, which could reduce water system burden and provide incentives for better system operation.

Public water systems must comply with the revised requirements by April, 2016. Until then, PWSs must continue complying with the 1989 TCR.