New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 18 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CERTIFICATION OF LABORATORIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS
Subchapter 9 - SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS
Section 7:18-9.2 - Requirements for microbiological parameter samples

Universal Citation: NJ Admin Code 7:18-9.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

(a) For regulatory samples that are to be analyzed for microbiological parameters to demonstrate compliance with the drinking water program:

1. The requirements of (c) below shall be satisfied;

2. Sample containers, preservation techniques, and holding times shall satisfy the requirements under N.J.A.C. 7:18-9.4(b)1 and Table 9.1; and

3. Collection, handling, analysis and preservation of drinking water samples for compliance with the statutes listed at N.J.A.C. 7:18-1.1(c)1 and 7 shall adhere to the sampling identification, and transfer procedures described in the latest edition of Standard Methods approved by the USEPA. If there is any conflict between the collection, handling and preservation requirements in Standard Methods and the corresponding requirements in this subchapter, the requirements in Standard Methods shall control.

(b) For regulatory samples that are to be analyzed for microbiological parameters to demonstrate compliance with the water pollution program:

1. The requirements of (c) below shall be satisfied; and

2. Sample containers, preservation techniques, and holding times shall satisfy the requirements under N.J.A.C. 7:18-9.4(c) and Table 9.2.

(c) In addition to the requirements of Table 9.1 or 9.2, as applicable, the requirements listed in (c)1 through 13 below shall be satisfied for samples to be analyzed for one or more microbiological parameters. The requirements listed in (c)1 through 13 below are incorporated from the USEPA's "Microbiological Methods for Monitoring the Environment, Water and Wastes," EPA-600/8-78-017. If there are any conflicts between the USEPA publication and (c)1 through 13 below, the USEPA publication shall control.

1. The sample volume shall be at least 100 mL;

2. The sample container shall not be filled completely, to allow adequate air space for mixing;

3. The sample container shall have a capacity of at least 120 mL. The sample container shall be one of the following:
i. A wide-mouthed hard glass and leakproof sample bottle;

ii. A plastic sample bottle or container with a leakproof cap; or

iii. A pre-sterilized plastic bag;

4. Glass-stoppered bottles shall be stored so that they are protected from contamination by dust and the glass stoppers shall be covered with either aluminum foil or kraft paper;

5. Caps shall have leakproof nontoxic liners that are capable of withstanding repeated sterilizations, at temperatures of 121 degrees Celsius sustained for 30 minutes per sterilization;

6. Sample containers shall have sodium thiosulfate (0.1 mL of 10 percent (weight/volume) solution per 120 mL capacity) added prior to sterilization;

7. When collecting samples known to contain heavy metals, add ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) (0.3 mL of a 15% (weight/volume) solution per 120 mL capacity bottle) to the sample container prior to sterilization;

8. The collector shall complete a sample analysis request form immediately after collection. The collector shall state the following on the form:
i. That sterilized containers with preservative were used for sampling;

ii. The collector's name and affiliation;

iii. Name and identification number of the environmental laboratory analyzing the sample;

iv. Sample location and type;

v. Date and time of collection;

vi. Chlorine residual results, if applicable;

vii. Preservatives or preservation conditions used;

viii. DSAMs to be performed; and

ix. Collector's signature and any remarks.

9. Unless the requirements of (c)13 below are satisfied, a chain-of-custody form shall be completed. The form shall provide space for the sample analysis request information listed in (c)8 above. The following chain-of-custody procedures shall be employed, and the following information shall be recorded by each person who collects or handles a regulatory sample:
i. Use tie-on or affixed labels with sample identification to label the sample; and

ii. After the sample has been collected, the collector shall write the following information on the chain-of-custody form:
(1) The information required under (c)8i through viii above;

(2) Signature, date and time of chain-of-custody transfers; and

(3) Number of containers;

10. When sending samples by mail or private shipping service, the collector shall complete the chain-of-custody form before shipping, and place it into the shipping container. The container shall have a numbered custody seal;

11. Samples shall be stored in iced coolers at four degrees Celsius during transit to the certified environmental laboratory and refrigerated upon delivery until such analyses can be performed;

12. A certified environmental laboratory shall not accept a sample unless it is properly labelled, and for which assurance is given that the sample has been collected, preserved, processed, stored and transported in a manner that will assure the identity of the sample and that the sample is sufficiently stable to be used in the requested tests or analyses; and

13. A formal chain-of-custody procedure is not required if:
i. The collector and the analyst are the same person; and

ii. The collector enters in the field log book all of the information required under (c)8 above.

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