Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
Title 179 - PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
Chapter 12 - CONTROL OF LEAD AND COPPER
Section 179-12-003 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Universal Citation: 179 NE Admin Rules and Regs ch 12 ยง 003

Current through September 17, 2024

12-003.01 Lead and Copper Action Levels

12-003.01A The lead action level is exceeded if the concentration of lead in more than 10% of tap water samples collected during any monitoring period conducted in accordance with 179 NAC 12-009 is greater than 0.015 mg/L (i.e., if the "90th percentile" lead level is greater than 0.015 mg/L).

12-003.01B The copper action level is exceeded if the concentration of copper in more than 10% of tap water samples collected during any monitoring period conducted in accordance with 179 NAC 12-009 is greater than 1.3 mg/L (i.e., if the "90th percentile" copper level is greater than 1.3 mg/L).

12-003.01C The 90th percentile lead and copper levels is computed as follows:
1. The results of all lead or copper samples taken during a monitoring period are placed in ascending order from the sample with the lowest concentration to the sample with the highest concentration. Each sampling result is assigned a number, ascending by single integers beginning with the number one for the sample with the lowest contaminant level. The number assigned to the sample with the highest contaminant level must be equal to the total number of samples taken.

2. The number of samples taken during the monitoring period is multiplied by 0.9.

3. The contaminant concentration in the numbered sample yielded by the calculation in 179 NAC 12-003.01C item 2 is the 90th percentile contaminant level.

4. Water systems which serve fewer than 100 people and collect five samples per monitoring period must compute the 90th percentile by taking the average of the highest and second highest concentrations.

5. For a public water system that has been allowed by the Director to collect fewer than five samples in accordance with 179 NAC 12-009.03, the sample result with the highest concentration is considered the 90th percentile value.

12-003.02 Corrosion Control Treatment Requirements

12-003.02A All water systems must install and operate optimal corrosion control treatment as defined in 179 NAC 12-002.

12-003.02B Any water system that complies with the applicable corrosion control treatment requirements specified by the Director under 179 NAC 12-004 and 12-005 is deemed in compliance with the treatment requirement contained in 179 NAC 12003.02 item 1.

12-003.03 Source Water Treatment Requirements: Any system exceeding the lead or copper action level must implement all applicable source water treatment requirements specified by the Director under 179 NAC 12-006.

12-003.04 Lead Service Line Replacement Requirements: Any system exceeding the lead action level after implementation of applicable corrosion control and source water treatment requirements must complete the lead service line replacement requirements contained in 179 NAC 12-007.

12-003.05 Public Education Requirements: Pursuant to 179 NAC 12-008, all water systems must provide a consumer notice of lead tap water monitoring results to persons served at the sites (taps) that are tested. Any system exceeding the lead action level must implement the public education requirements.

12-003.06 Monitoring and Analytical Requirements: Tap water monitoring for lead and copper, monitoring for water quality parameters, source water monitoring for lead and copper, and analyses of the monitoring results under 179 NAC 12 must be completed in compliance with 179 NAC 12-009, 12-010, 12-011 and 12-012.

12-003.07 Reporting Requirements: Systems must report to the Director any information required by the treatment provisions of 179 NAC 12-013.

12-003.08 Recordkeeping Requirements: Systems must maintain records in accordance with 179 NAC 12-014.

12-003.09 Violation of Drinking Water Regulations: Failure to comply with the applicable requirements of 179 NAC 12, including requirements established by the Director pursuant to these provisions, constitutes a violation of the drinking water regulations for lead and/or copper.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Nebraska may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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