Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
Title 179 - PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
Chapter 12 - CONTROL OF LEAD AND COPPER
Section 179-12-011 - MONITORING REQUIREMENTS FOR LEAD AND COPPER IN SOURCE WATER

Universal Citation: 179 NE Admin Rules and Regs ch 12 ยง 011

Current through September 17, 2024

011.01 Sample Location, Collection Methods, and Number of Samples

12-011.01A A water system that fails to meet the lead or copper action level on the basis of tap samples collected in accordance with 179 NAC 12-009 must collect lead and copper source water samples in accordance with the following requirements regarding sample location, number of samples, and collection methods:
1. Ground water systems must 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). The system must take one sample at the same sampling point unless conditions make another sampling point more representative of each source or treatment plant.

2. Surface water systems must take a minimum of one sample at every entry point to the distribution system after any application of treatment or in the distribution system at a point which is representative of each source after treatment (hereafter called a sampling point). The system must take each sample at the same sampling point unless conditions make another sampling point more representative of each source or treatment plant.

Note: For the purposes of 179 NAC 12-011.01A item 2, surface water systems include systems with a combination of surface and ground sources.

3. If a 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 is representative of all sources being used).

4. The Director may reduce the total number of samples which must be analyzed by allowing the use of compositing. Compositing of samples must be done by certified laboratory personnel. Composite samples from a maximum of five samples are allowed, provided that if the lead concentration in the composite sample is greater than or equal to 0.001 mg/L or the copper concentration is greater than or equal to 0.160 mg/L, then either:
a. A follow-up sample must be taken and analyzed within 14 days at each sampling point included in the composite; or

b. 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.

12-011.01B Where the results of sampling indicate an exceedance of maximum permissible source water levels established under 179 NAC 12-006.02D, the Director may require that one additional sample be collected as soon as possible after the initial sample was taken (but not to exceed two weeks after the results are known) at the same sampling point. If a Director-required confirmation sample is taken for lead or copper, then the results of the initial and confirmation sample must be averaged in determining compliance with the maximum permissible levels specified by the Director. Any sample value below the detection limit is considered to be zero. Any value above the detection limit but below the PQL is either considered as the measured value or as one-half the PQL.

011.02 Monitoring Frequency after System Exceeds Tap Water Action Level

Any system which exceeds the lead or copper action level at the tap must collect one source water sample from each entry point to the distribution system within six months after the exceedance.

011.03 Monitoring Frequency after Installation of Source Water Treatment

Any system which installs source water treatment pursuant to 179 NAC 12-006.01 item 3 must collect an additional source water sample from each entry point to the distribution system during two consecutive six-month monitoring periods by the deadline specified in 179 NAC 12-006.01 item 4.

011.04 Monitoring Frequency after the Director Specifies Maximum Permissible Source Water Levels or Determines that Source Water Treatment is Not Needed

12-011.04A A system must monitor at the frequency specified below in cases where the Director specifies maximum permissible source water levels under 179 NAC 12-006.02D or determines that the system is not required to install source water treatment under 179 NAC 12-006.02B.
12-011.04A1 A water system using only ground water must collect samples once during the three-year compliance period in effect when the applicable Director determination under 179 NAC 12-011.04A is made. The systems must collect samples once during each subsequent compliance period.

12-011.04A2 A water system using surface water (or a combination of surface and ground water) must collect samples once during each year, the first annual monitoring period to begin on the date on which the applicable Director determination is made under 179 NAC 12-011.04A.

12-011.04B A system is not required to conduct source water sampling for lead and/or copper 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 179 NAC 12-011.04A1 or 12-011.04A2.

011.05 Reduced Monitoring Frequency

12-011.05A A water system using only ground water may reduce the monitoring frequency for lead and/or copper in source water to once during each nine-year compliance cycle if the system meets one of the following criteria:
1. The system demonstrates that finished drinking water entering the distribution system has been maintained below the maximum permissible lead and copper concentrations specified by the Director in 179 NAC 12-006.02D during at least three consecutive compliance periods under 179 NAC 12-011.04A; or

2. The Director has determined that source water treatment is not needed and the system demonstrates that, during at least three consecutive compliance periods in which sampling was conducted under 179 NAC 12-011.04A, the concentration of lead in source water was less than or equal to 0.005 mg/L and the concentration of copper in source water was less than or equal to 0.65 mg/L.

12-011.05B A water system using surface water (or a combination of surface and ground water) may reduce the monitoring frequency in 179 NAC 12-011.04A to once during each nine-year compliance cycle (as that term is defined in 179 NAC 12-002) if the system meets one of the following criteria:
1. The system demonstrates that finished drinking water entering the distribution system has been maintained below the maximum permissible lead and copper concentrations specified by the Director in 179 NAC 12-006.02D for at least three consecutive years; or

2. The Director has determined that source water treatment is not needed and the system demonstrates that, during at least three consecutive years, the concentration of lead in source water was less than or equal to 0.005 mg/L and the concentration of copper in source water was less than or equal to 0.65 mg/L.

12-011.05C A water system that uses a new source of water is not eligible for reduced monitoring for lead and/or copper until concentrations in samples collected from the new source during three consecutive monitoring periods are below the maximum permissible lead and copper concentrations specified by the Director in 179 NAC 12-006.01 item 5.

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