Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 391-3 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Subject 391-3-5 - RULES FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER
Rule 391-3-5-.22 - Organic Chemical Sampling and Analytical Requirements

(a) Groundwater systems shall take a minimum of one sample at every entry point to the distribution system which is representative of each well after treatment (hereafter called a sampling point). Each sample must be taken at the same sampling point unless conditions make another sampling point more representative of each source, treatment plant, or within the distribution system.

(b) Surface water systems (or combined surface/ground) shall take a minimum of one sample at points in the distribution system that are representative of each source or at each entry point to the distribution system after treatment (hereafter called a sampling point). Each sample must be taken at the same sampling point unless conditions make another sampling point more representative of each source, treatment plant, or within the distribution system.

(c) If the system draws water from more than one source and the sources are combined before distribution, the system must sample at an entry point to the distribution system during periods of normal operating conditions (i.e., when water representative of all sources is being used).

(d) Each community and non-transient non-community water system shall take four consecutive quarterly samples for each contaminant listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)2 -21 during each compliance period.

(e) If the initial monitoring for contaminants listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)1 -8 and the monitoring for the contaminants listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)9 -21 as allowed in paragraph (1)(q) has been completed by December 31, 1992 and the system did not detect any contaminant listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)1 -21, then each ground and surface water system shall take one sample annually.

(f) After a minimum of three years of annual sampling, the Division may allow groundwater systems with no previous detection of any contaminant listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b) to take one sample during each compliance period.

(g) Each community and non-transient groundwater system which does not detect a contaminant listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)1 -21 may apply to the Division for a waiver from the requirement of paragraph (1)(e) and (1)(f) after completing the initial monitoring. (For the purposes of paragraph (1), detection is defined as 0.0005 mg/L.) A waiver shall be effective for no more than six years (two compliance periods). The Division may also issue waivers to small systems for the initial round of monitoring for 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene.

(h) The Division may grant a waiver after evaluating the factors in accordance with 40 CFR, Part 141.24(f)(8-9).

(i) Each community and non-transient surface water system which does not detect a contaminant listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)1 -21 may apply to the Division for a waiver from the requirements of paragraph (1)(e) after completing the initial monitoring. Composite samples from a maximum of five sampling points are allowed, provided that the detection limit of the method used for analysis is less than one-fifth of the MCL. Systems meeting this criteria must be determined by the Division to be non-vulnerable based on a vulnerability assessment during each compliance period. Each system receiving a waiver shall sample at the frequency specified by the Division (if any).

(j) If a contaminant listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)2 -21 is detected at a level exceeding 0.0005 mg/L in any sample, then:

(k) Systems which violate the requirements of Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)1 -21 as determined by paragraph (l)(n) must monitor quarterly. After a minimum of four quarterly samples which show the system is in compliance as specified in paragraph (l)(n), and the Division determines that the system is reliably and consistently below the maximum contaminant level, the system may monitor at the frequency and time specified in paragraph (l)(j)3.

(l) The Division may require a confirmation sample for positive or negative results. If a confirmation sample is required by the Division, the result must be averaged with the first sampling result and the average is used for the compliance determination as specified by paragraph (l)(n). The Division has the discretion to delete results of obvious sampling errors from this calculation.

(m) The Division may reduce the total number of samples a system must analyze by allowing the use of compositing. Composite sampling and their analysis shall be in accordance with 40 CFR, Part 141.24(f)(14).

(n) Compliance with Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)1 -21 shall be determined based on the analytical results obtained at each sampling point.

(o) Analysis for the contaminants listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)1 -21 shall be conducted in accordance with 40 CFR, Part 141.24(f)(17) . These methods are contained in Methods for the Determination of Organic Compounds in Drinking Water, EPA/600/4-88/039, December 1988 and are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) NTIS PB91-231480 and PB91-146027, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161.

(p) Analysis under paragraph (1) shall only be conducted by laboratories certified by the Division or laboratories certified by EPA in accordance with conditions listed in 40 CFR, Part 141.24(f)(17).

(q) The Division may allow the use of monitoring data collected after January 1, 1998 required under section 1445 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Public Law 93-523, for purposes of initial monitoring compliance. If the data are generally consistent with the other requirements in this rule, the Division may use these data (i.e., a single sample rather than four quarterly samples) to satisfy the initial monitoring requirement of paragraph (l)(d). Systems which use grandfathered samples and did not detect any contaminant listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b)2 -21 shall begin monitoring annually in accordance with paragraph 1(e).

(r) The Division may increase required monitoring where necessary to detect variations within the system.

(s) Each certified laboratory must determine the method detection limit (MDL), as defined in 40 CFR, Part 136 appendix B, at which it is capable of detecting VOCs. The acceptable MDL is 0.0005 mg/L. This concentration is the detection concentration for purposes of paragraph (1).

(t) Each public water system shall monitor at the time designated by the Division within each compliance period.

(a) Ground-water systems shall sample at points of entry to the distribution system representative of each well after any application of treatment. Sampling must be conducted at the same location(s) or more representative location(s) every three months for one year except as provided in paragraph (2)(h).

(b) Surface water systems shall sample at points in the distribution system representative of each source or at entry points to the system after any application of treatment. Surface water systems must sample each source every three months except as provided in paragraph (2)(h). Sampling must be conducted at the same location or a more representative location each quarter.

(c) If the system draws water from more than one source and sources are combined before distribution, the system must sample at an entry point to the distribution system during periods of normal operating conditions.

(d) All community water systems and non-transient, non-community water systems serving more than 10,000 people shall analyze all distribution or entry-point samples, as appropriate, representing all source waters beginning no later than January 1, 1988. All community water systems and non-transient, non-community water systems serving from 3,300 to 10,000 people shall analyze all distribution or entry point samples, as required in this paragraph (2), representing source waters no later than January 1, 1989. All other community and non-transient, non-community water systems shall analyze distribution or entry-point samples as required in this paragraph (2), representing all source waters beginning no later than January 1, 1991.

(e) The Division may require confirmation samples for positive or negative results. If a confirmation sample)s) is required by the Division, then the sample results(s) should be averaged with the first sampling result and used for compliance determination in accordance with paragraph (2)(i). The Division has the discretion to delete results of obvious sampling errors from this calculation.

(f) Analysis for vinyl chloride is required only for ground water systems that have detected one or more of the following two-carbon organic compounds: Trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, or 1,1-dichloroethylene. The analysis for vinyl chloride is required at each distribution or entry point at which one or more of the two-carbon organic compounds were found. If the first analysis does not detect vinyl chloride, the Division may reduce the frequency of vinyl chloride monitoring to once every three years for that sample location or other sample locations that are more representative of the same source. Surface water systems may be required to analyze for vinyl chloride at the discretion of the Division.

(g) The Division may allow compositing of up to five samples from one or more public water systems.

(h) The Division may reduce the monitoring frequency specified in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) as explained in this paragraph.

(i) Compliance with Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b) shall be determined based on the results of running annual average of quarterly sampling for each sampling location. If one location's average is greater than the MCL, then the system shall be deemed to be out of compliance. If a public water system has a distribution system separable from other parts of the distribution system with no interconnections, only that part of the system that exceeds any MCL as specified in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(b) will be deemed out of compliance. The Division may reduce the public notice requirement to that portion of the system which is out of compliance. If any single sample result would cause the annual average to be exceeded, then the system shall be deemed to be out of compliance immediately. For systems that only take one sample per location because no VOCs were detected, compliance shall be based on that one sample.

(j) Analysis under paragraph (2) shall only be conducted by laboratories certified by the Division or have been certified by the EPA.

(k) The Division may allow the use of monitoring data collected after January 1, 1983, for purposes of monitoring compliance. If the data is consistent with other requirements of this rule, the Division may use that data to represent the initial monitoring if the system is determined by the Division not to be vulnerable under the requirements of paragraph (2). In addition, the result of EPA's Ground Water Supply Survey may be used in a similar manner for systems supplied by a single well.

(l) The Division may increase required monitoring where necessary to detect variations within the system.

(m) The Division may determine compliance or initiate enforcement action based on analytical results or other information compiled by their sanctioned representatives and agencies.

(n) Each certified laboratory must determine the method detection limit (MDL), as defined in 40 CFR, Part 136 appendix B, at which it is capable of detecting VOCs. The acceptable MDL is 0.0005 mg/L. This concentration is the detection level for purposes of paragraphs (2)(e), (f), and (g).

(a) Groundwater systems shall take a minimum of one sample at every entry point to the distribution system which is representative of each well after treatment (hereafter called a sampling point). Each sample must be taken at the same sampling point unless conditions make another sampling point more representative of each source or treatment plant.

(b) Surface water systems shall take a minimum of one sample at points in the distribution system that are representative of each source or at each entry point to the distribution system after treatment (hereafter called a sampling point). Each sample must be taken at the same sampling point unless conditions make another sampling point more representative of each source or treatment plant. [Note: For purposes of this paragraph, surface water systems include systems with a combination of surface and ground sources.]

(c) If the system draws water from more than one source and the sources are combined before distribution, the system must sample at an entry point to the distribution system during periods of normal operating conditions (i.e., when water representative of all sources is being used).

(d) Monitoring frequency:

(e) Each community and non-transient water system may apply to the Division for a waiver from the requirement of paragraph (3)(d). A system must reapply for a waiver for each compliance period.

(f) The Division may grant a waiver after evaluating the factors in accordance with 40 CFR, Part 141.24(h)(6).

(g) If an organic contaminant listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(a) is detected (as defined by paragraph (3)(q)) in any sample, then:

(h) Systems which violate the requirements of Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(a) as determined by paragraph (3)(k) must monitor quarterly. After a minimum of four quarterly samples show the system is in compliance and the Division determines the system is reliably and consistently below the MCL, as specified in paragraph (3)(k), the system shall monitor at the frequency specified in paragraph (3)(g)3.

(i) The Division may require a confirmation sample for positive or negative results. If a confirmation sample is required by the Division, the result must be averaged with the first sampling result and the average used for the compliance determination as specified by paragraph (3)(k). The Division has the discretion to delete results of obvious sampling errors from this calculation.

(j) The Division may reduce the total number of samples a system must analyze by allowing the use of compositing. Composite sampling and their analysis shall be in accordance with 40 CFR, Part 141.24(h)(10).

(k) Compliance with Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(a) shall be determined based on the analytical results obtained at each sampling point.

(l) Analysis for the contaminants listed in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(a) shall be conducted in accordance with 40 CFR, Part 141.24(h) (12-13). These methods are contained in "Methods for the Determination of Organic Compounds in Drinking Water", ORD Publications, CERI, EPA/600/4-88/039, December 1988.

(m) If monitoring data collected after January 1, 1990, are generally consistent with the requirements of Rule 391-3-5-.22(3), then the Division may allow systems to use that data to satisfy the monitoring requirement for the initial compliance period beginning January 1, 1993.

(n) The Division may increase the required monitoring frequency, where necessary, to detect variations within the system (e.g., fluctuations in concentration due to seasonal use, changes in water source).

(o) The Division has the authority to determine compliance or initiate enforcement action based upon analytical results and other information compiled by their sanctioned representatives and agencies.

(p) Each public water system shall monitor at the time designated by the Division within each compliance period.

(q) Detection limits for contaminants used in paragraph (3) shall be in accordance with 40 CFR, Part 141.24(h)(18).

(r) Analysis under paragraph (3) shall conform to paragraph (1) of Rule 391-3-5-.29.

(s) The best technology, treatment technique, or other means available for achieving compliance with the maximum contaminant level for organic contaminants in Rule 391-3-5-.18(2)(a) and (2)(b) shall be in accordance with 40 CFR, Part 141.61(b).