Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
Title 179 - PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
Chapter 26 - REVISED TOTAL COLIFORM RULE
Section 179-26-009 - REPEAT MONITORING AND E. COLI REQUIREMENTS

26-009.01A If a sample taken under 26-005 through 26-008 is total coliform-positive, the system must collect a set of repeat samples within 24 hours of being notified of the positive result. The system must collect no fewer than three repeat samples for each total coliform-positive sample found. The Department may extend the 24-hour limit on a case-by-case basis if the system has a logistical problem in collecting the repeat samples within 24 hours that is beyond its control. Alternatively, the Department may implement criteria for the system to use in lieu of case-by-case extensions. In the case of an extension, the Department must specify how much time the system has to collect the repeat samples. The Department cannot waive the requirement for a system to collect repeat samples in 26-009.01A through 26-009.01C.

26-009.01B The system must collect all repeat samples on the same day, except that the Department may allow a system with a single service connection to collect the required set of repeat samples over a three-day period or to collect a larger volume repeat sample(s) in one or more sample containers of any size, as long as the total volume collected is at least 300 ml.

26-009.01C The system must collect an additional set of repeat samples in the manner specified in 26-009.01A through 26-009.01C if one or more repeat samples in the current set of repeat samples is total coliform-positive. The system must collect the additional set of repeat samples within 24 hours of being notified of the positive result, unless the Department extends the limit as provided in 26-009.01A. The system must continue to collect additional sets of repeat samples until either total coliforms are not detected in one complete set of repeat samples or the system determines that a coliform treatment technique trigger specified in 26-010.01 has been exceeded as a result of a repeat sample being total coliform-positive and notifies the Department. If a trigger identified in 26-010 is exceeded as a result of a routine sample being total coliform-positive, systems are required to conduct only one round of repeat monitoring for each total coliform-positive routine sample.

26-009.01D After a system collects a routine sample and before it learns the results of the analysis of that sample, if it collects another routine sample(s) from within five adjacent service connections of the initial sample, and the initial sample, after analysis, is found to contain total coliforms, then the system may count the subsequent sample(s) as a repeat sample instead of as a routine sample.

26-009.01E Results of all routine and repeat samples taken under 26-005 through 26-009 not invalidated by the Department must be used to determine whether a coliform treatment technique trigger specified in 26-010 has been exceeded.

26-009.02A If any routine or repeat sample is total coliform-positive, the system must analyze that total coliform-positive culture medium to determine if E. coli are present. If E. coli are present, the system must notify the Department by the end of the day when the system is notified of the test result, unless the system is notified of the result after the Department office is closed and the Department does not have either an after-hours phone line or an alternative notification procedure, in which case the system must notify the Department before the end of the next business day.

26-009.02B The Department has the discretion to allow a system, on a case-by-case basis, to forgo E. coli testing on a total coliform-positive sample if that system assumes that the total coliform-positive sample is E. coli-positive. Accordingly, the system must notify the Department as specified in 26-009.02A and the provisions of 179 NAC 2-002.04C3 apply.