64E-8.006. Water Quality Standards and Monitoring for Limited Use Public Water Systems

(1) Water quality samples collected for compliance with this chapter, except chlorine residuals, shall be analyzed by a laboratory certified for the contaminant by the Department in accordance with Chapter 64E-1, F.A.C., and shall be analyzed using a Department-certified method for analyzing drinking water samples. Approved methods for analyzing drinking water compliance samples are available at the U.S. EPA Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water website at www.epa.gov/safewater/methods/methods.html. Microbiological analyses shall be in accordance with those methods specified in 40 C.F.R. §141.21(f), July 1, 2007. Chemical analyses shall be in accordance with those methods specified in 40 C.F.R. §141.23(k), July 1, 2007.

(2) Analysis results of water quality samples collected for compliance with this chapter shall not exceed the following standards:

(a) Chemical Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) and Health Advisory Levels (HAL):

1. Lead – 0.015 milligrams per liter (mg/L).

2. Nitrate as N – 10.0 mg/L.

3. Other primary drinking water contaminant MCLs listed in Rule 62-550.310, F.A.C.

4. Drinking water HALs as defined in subsection 64E-8.001(8), F.A.C.

(b) Microbiological Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL):

1. A total coliform MCL violation occurs when a total coliform test reveals the presence of total coliform bacteria in any compliance and repeat sample.

2. A fecal coliform MCL violation occurs when a fecal coliform or E. coli test reveals the presence of fecal coliform or E. coli in any compliance or repeat sample, provided the repeat test is positive for total coliform bacteria.

3. The supplier shall collect a repeat sample on the first business day following notification that coliform bacteria were present in the previous sample. Failure to provide a repeat sample to the laboratory by the deadline specified by the Department will result in use of the previous sample's results as if they were the repeat sample’s results.

4. Unless coliform bacteria are present, a result of too numerous to count (TNTC), confluent or turbid with the absence of gas or acid, is invalid and the supplier shall collect a replacement sample on the next business day after notification of the invalid results.

(3) The following monitoring schedule applies to annually permitted Limited Use Public Water Systems:

(a) Analysis of water samples for Lead and Nitrate per paragraphs 64E-8.002(9)(c) and (d), F.A.C., is required once every thirty-six (36) months for Limited Use Community Systems, or once every sixty (60) months for Limited Use Commercial Systems. Such analyses shall be performed no more than 36 months or 60 months apart, respectively. The Department shall require more frequent chemical monitoring if analysis results indicate the presence of contaminants which may pose a threat to public health.

(b) One (1) microbiological analysis of a water sample from the distribution system is required once every calendar quarter (one sample during each of the following periods: January through March; April through June; July through September; October through December). Whenever possible, each quarterly sample shall be collected during the middle month of each period (February, May, August and November) in order to allow time for laboratory analysis and reporting of results.

1. When treatment includes disinfection, one (1) microbiological source water sample must also be collected on the same day as the distribution water sample.

2. The Department may increase microbiological analysis frequency to a monthly basis for a period of one (1) year or more if the water source or water system has a history of intermittent unsatisfactory microbiological analysis results.

(4) Additional analyses for contaminants shall be required for a system if:

(a) The well is located within a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) delineated area under Chapter 62-524, F.A.C.

(b) The well is within one-thousand (1,000) feet of a contaminated well or a known contaminant source.

(c) The analyses are required per Rule 64E-8.007, F.A.C.

(5) All Limited Use Public Water System suppliers shall report water sample analysis results to the Department within five days of receipt of the results. Analysis results for chemical samples required by paragraph (3)(a), above, must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the time period in which the sample was required. Analysis results for microbiological samples required by paragraph (3)(b), above, must be submitted no later than fifteen (15) days after the time period in which the sample was required. These reporting deadlines in no way change the compliance sampling time periods in which sample analysis is required to be performed by the supplier.

(a) Any chemicals or pathogens detected in concentrations that exceed a published MCL or HAL shall be reported by the supplier to the Department and removed by corrective actions taken by the supplier per Rule 64E-8.007, F.A.C.

(b) Laboratories must report to the supplier and to the Department all positive microbiological water sample analysis results and any water sample analysis results that exceed a published MCL or HAL no later than the end of the next business day after the result was determined, by telephone, facsimile, or email. Positive fecal coliform or E. coli results must be reported to the supplier and to the Department as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the day in which the result was determined in accordance with subsection 64E-1.005(2), F.A.C.

(6) Fees charged to the supplier when samples are submitted by or through the Department for routine monitoring, for a well or water system clearance or for a private request shall include laboratory analysis costs for each sample analyzed, any locally mandated fees and shipping fees.

(7) Department staff may collect compliance samples upon a supplier's request for a fee of $50.00 per microbiological sampling site visit, $60.00 per chemical sampling site visit, or $70.00 per combined chemical and microbiological sampling site visit, plus any locally mandated fees, laboratory analysis fees and shipping fees.

Rulemaking Authority 403.862(1)(f), 381.006 FS. Law Implemented 381.006(1), 381.0062, 403.862(1)(f), 381.0202(3) FS. History–New 1-1-93, Amended 8-20-96, Formerly 10D-4.029, Amended 1-26-98, 1-24-00, 11-13-00, 5-4-08.