lead and copper sampling procedures. the purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended...

Lead and Copper Lead and Copper SamplingSampling ProceduresProcedures

The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended sampling techniques. This recommended sampling techniques. This presentation includes:presentation includes: supplies neededsupplies needed sample tap selectionsample tap selection collection; and collection; and shipping. shipping.

Sampling for Lead and CopperSampling for Lead and Copper

We know and recognize that there are numerous We know and recognize that there are numerous techniques and methods for collecting drinking techniques and methods for collecting drinking water samples. The idea of this presentation is to water samples. The idea of this presentation is to demonstrate the general method used while demonstrate the general method used while providing some helpful suggestions for sample providing some helpful suggestions for sample collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or trainee. This presentation is in no way to be trainee. This presentation is in no way to be considered a substitute for the federal Safe considered a substitute for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and amendments.Drinking Water Act and amendments.

Sampling for Lead and CopperSampling for Lead and Copper

What is the Lead and Copper What is the Lead and Copper

Rule?Rule?

The Lead and Copper Rule was first published in the The Lead and Copper Rule was first published in the Federal Register on June 7, 1991. It became Federal Register on June 7, 1991. It became effective on December 7, 1992. This rule can trigger effective on December 7, 1992. This rule can trigger treatment requirements when lead and/or copper in treatment requirements when lead and/or copper in drinking water exceed certain action levels. drinking water exceed certain action levels.

What is the Lead and Copper Rule?What is the Lead and Copper Rule?

Lead enters drinking water mainly from the

corrosion of lead-containing

household plumbing.

Health EffectsHealth Effects Short-term health effectsShort-term health effects include: interference include: interference with red blood cell chemistry, delays in normalwith red blood cell chemistry, delays in normalphysical and mental development in babies and physical and mental development in babies and young children, slight deficits in attention span,young children, slight deficits in attention span,hearing, and learning abilities of children, and hearing, and learning abilities of children, and slight increases in the blood pressure of some adults. slight increases in the blood pressure of some adults.

Long-term health effectsLong-term health effects can include stroke, can include stroke,

kidney disease, and cancerkidney disease, and cancer..


Copper contamination generally occurs from the Copper contamination generally occurs from the corrosion of household plumbing. Copper is an corrosion of household plumbing. Copper is an essential nutrient, required by the body only in essential nutrient, required by the body only in

small amounts normally obtained through small amounts normally obtained through normal food consumption.normal food consumption.

What is the Lead and Copper RuleWhat is the Lead and Copper Rule

However, copper can cause the following health However, copper can cause the following health effects: effects:

stomach and intestinal distress stomach and intestinal distress Liver and kidney damage; and Liver and kidney damage; and AnemiaAnemia

Persons with Wilson’s Disease may be more Persons with Wilson’s Disease may be more sensitive than others to the effects of copper sensitive than others to the effects of copper

contamination.contamination.

What is the Lead and Copper What is the Lead and Copper Rule?Rule?

For the protection of public For the protection of public health, the EPA established health, the EPA established Action Levels for lead and Action Levels for lead and copper in drinking water. An copper in drinking water. An action level is a limit, when action level is a limit, when the water is sampled, that at the water is sampled, that at least ninety percent (90%) of least ninety percent (90%) of your samples must be below. your samples must be below. If the action level is If the action level is exceeded, then further action exceeded, then further action is triggered and required.is triggered and required.


The Lead Action Level is point zero one five The Lead Action Level is point zero one five milligrams per liter (0.015 mg/L). Sometimes milligrams per liter (0.015 mg/L). Sometimes you’ll hear this referred to as 15 parts per you’ll hear this referred to as 15 parts per billion or 15ppb. The copper action level is billion or 15ppb. The copper action level is one point three milligrams per liter (1.3 one point three milligrams per liter (1.3 mg/L) Which is sometimes referred to as 1.3 mg/L) Which is sometimes referred to as 1.3 parts per million or 1.3ppmparts per million or 1.3ppm


All community and non-transient non-All community and non-transient non-community water systems are required to community water systems are required to

sample for lead and copper. Types of sample for lead and copper. Types of systems that might be included are: systems that might be included are:


CitiesCities

TownsTowns

Manufactured housing Manufactured housing

communitiescommunities


SubdivisionsSubdivisions

HospitalsHospitals

Correctional FacilitiesCorrectional Facilities


FactoriesFactories

Office BuildingsOffice Buildings

and Day Care centers and Day Care centers

to name a few to name a few


Important Note:Important Note: It should be It should be noted that there are different noted that there are different recommendations and recommendations and sampling procedures for sampling procedures for schools and childcare schools and childcare facilities that are not facilities that are not considered their own considered their own independent water system. independent water system. For more details on EPA’s For more details on EPA’s Lead in Schools program go Lead in Schools program go to our website at:to our website at:

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/schoolshttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/schools

Lead and copper collected within community Lead and copper collected within community water systems should be collected at customers’ water systems should be collected at customers’ homes from the kitchen or bathroom cold water homes from the kitchen or bathroom cold water tap after the water has been in contact with the tap after the water has been in contact with the

plumbing for at least 6 hours. plumbing for at least 6 hours.


In non-community water systems, the samples In non-community water systems, the samples should be collected from interior drinking water should be collected from interior drinking water taps after the water has been in contact with the taps after the water has been in contact with the plumbing for at least 6 hours, as well. plumbing for at least 6 hours, as well.


What is the Lead and Copper RuleWhat is the Lead and Copper Rule

The number of samples required is based on the The number of samples required is based on the population served by the water system. The samples are population served by the water system. The samples are then collected according to a schedule period, or then collected according to a schedule period, or compliance period every 3 years. During the first compliance period every 3 years. During the first compliance period, samples are initially collected for 2 compliance period, samples are initially collected for 2 consecutive six-month monitoring periods (January to consecutive six-month monitoring periods (January to June and July to December), then sampling can be June and July to December), then sampling can be reduced to once per year for 2 additional years, and reduced to once per year for 2 additional years, and then ultimately to once every 3 years provided the 90th then ultimately to once every 3 years provided the 90th percentile has not been exceeded for either lead or percentile has not been exceeded for either lead or copper. Samples during any of these periods must be copper. Samples during any of these periods must be collected during the months of June through September collected during the months of June through September ONLY.ONLY.

State Guidelines – Rules – Sample State Guidelines – Rules – Sample

RequirementsRequirements

Be sure to check with Be sure to check with your state or tribal your state or tribal drinking water program drinking water program office for additional office for additional guidelines, rules and/or guidelines, rules and/or sample requirements sample requirements since they may be more since they may be more stringent than those stringent than those required by the federal required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Safe Drinking Water Act.

Lead and CopperLead and Copper Sampling Supplies Sampling Supplies

Before you begin sampling, it is important to have Before you begin sampling, it is important to have all of your supplies on hand. Here is a list of the all of your supplies on hand. Here is a list of the

suggested supplies you may need:suggested supplies you may need:

Cooler for shipping and storage of your sampleCooler for shipping and storage of your samplewhile in transit between collection point and lab.while in transit between collection point and lab.

Lead and Copper Sampling SuppliesLead and Copper Sampling Supplies

Sampling ContainerSampling Container


Lab slips, labels, and markers for sample containerLab slips, labels, and markers for sample containeridentificationidentification


Additional Recommended Items include paper towels Additional Recommended Items include paper towels for drying off the outside of your sample container for drying off the outside of your sample container after sampling.after sampling.

Sampling ContainersSampling Containers

Sampling containers Sampling containers for lead and copper for lead and copper are plastic and are plastic and should be two 1-liter should be two 1-liter volume containers.volume containers.

As a general rule, As a general rule, proper washing of proper washing of hands is highly hands is highly recommended for recommended for the sample the sample collector.collector.


Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette smoke should never come into contact with the smoke should never come into contact with the sample or its containers. These foreign objects sample or its containers. These foreign objects have been suspected of causing false results in have been suspected of causing false results in

samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample collection procedures.collection procedures.


Do not sample with Do not sample with any containers that any containers that appear to have been appear to have been tampered with since tampered with since this may cause an this may cause an undesirable sample undesirable sample result.result.


Sampling ProceduresSampling Procedures

The laboratory that supplies the sampling containers The laboratory that supplies the sampling containers may provide instruction with the kit for the type of may provide instruction with the kit for the type of

monitoring being performed. Be sure to refer to those monitoring being performed. Be sure to refer to those instructions when provided.instructions when provided.


Samples are usually collected by Samples are usually collected by water system personnel or by the water system personnel or by the customer. If the customer is customer. If the customer is collecting the samples, be sure to collecting the samples, be sure to review the procedure with him or review the procedure with him or her when the sample kit is her when the sample kit is dropped off. The Lead and dropped off. The Lead and Copper Rule specifically states Copper Rule specifically states that a water system may not that a water system may not challenge the accuracy of challenge the accuracy of sampling results based on sampling results based on alleged errors in sample alleged errors in sample collection. collection.

Getting it right the first time is a must. Getting it right the first time is a must.


All tap samples must be first-draw samples, All tap samples must be first-draw samples, taken from a kitchen or bathroom sink cold water taken from a kitchen or bathroom sink cold water

tap. tap.

First Draw SampleFirst Draw Sample

This means that the water in the plumbing systemThis means that the water in the plumbing system should have stood motionless in the pipes for atshould have stood motionless in the pipes for at

least six hours. least six hours.


If the customer will be If the customer will be collecting the samples, collecting the samples, instruct him or her not to instruct him or her not to use any water (including use any water (including flushing the toilets or flushing the toilets or showering) for at least 6 showering) for at least 6 hours prior to collecting hours prior to collecting the first-draw sample. the first-draw sample. Also ensure that all other Also ensure that all other water use is halted during water use is halted during these 6hrs. This can these 6hrs. This can include refrigerator ice include refrigerator ice makers makers

Sometimes it is better to explain to the customer Sometimes it is better to explain to the customer that this sample could be collected first thing in that this sample could be collected first thing in

the morning the morning


or after returning from work, if no water has or after returning from work, if no water has been used during the previous 6 hours. been used during the previous 6 hours.


Fill out the sample label(s), indicating the date and Fill out the sample label(s), indicating the date and time of sample collection, location, type of sample time of sample collection, location, type of sample

(first draw, service line, etc.), and the sampler’s (first draw, service line, etc.), and the sampler’s name.name.


Before turning on the water to draw the sample, Before turning on the water to draw the sample, remove the cap from the container and position it remove the cap from the container and position it under the faucet. Turn on the cold water tap and under the faucet. Turn on the cold water tap and

begin filling the container. begin filling the container.



The sample container should be tightly capped. The sample container should be tightly capped. Blot the sample container with a paper towel to Blot the sample container with a paper towel to dry it off.dry it off.

Fill to the 1 liter mark on the bottle or to the neck. Fill to the 1 liter mark on the bottle or to the neck. Turn off the water. Turn off the water.

It is recommended that you place the sample in a It is recommended that you place the sample in a sealable plastic bag before shipping in a closed sealable plastic bag before shipping in a closed

chest or box. chest or box.


Refrigeration is not necessary, but if ice is used Refrigeration is not necessary, but if ice is used in shipping, it is recommended that it be bagged in shipping, it is recommended that it be bagged separately to eliminate any contamination of the separately to eliminate any contamination of the

sample. sample.


Samples must be delivered to the analytical Samples must be delivered to the analytical laboratory within laboratory within 14 days14 days for proper testing for proper testing

First Draw SamplesFirst Draw Samples

Taping of the chest prior to shipping is Taping of the chest prior to shipping is recommended since the container can move recommended since the container can move around or come open during shipment. around or come open during shipment.

Also be sure to tape the sample forms and any Also be sure to tape the sample forms and any other sample documentation either inside the lid, other sample documentation either inside the lid, or on the outside of the lid. or on the outside of the lid.


Also be sure to tape the sample forms and any Also be sure to tape the sample forms and any other sample documentation either inside the lid, other sample documentation either inside the lid, or on the outside of the lid. or on the outside of the lid.

Systems required to conduct lead service line Systems required to conduct lead service line replacement programs may also be required to replacement programs may also be required to sample lead service lines. sample lead service lines.

Service Line SamplingService Line Sampling

If the laboratory has any additional shipping If the laboratory has any additional shipping recommendations or requirements, they should recommendations or requirements, they should

be read and followed closely.be read and followed closely.

Service Line SamplingService Line Sampling

If you have any additional questions, please If you have any additional questions, please contact your state or tribal drinking water contact your state or tribal drinking water program office for assistance. program office for assistance.

Following the proper drinking water sample Following the proper drinking water sample collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, knowing that the test results truly represent the knowing that the test results truly represent the quality of water your customers are drinking. After quality of water your customers are drinking. After all, isn’t our goal to ensure . . .all, isn’t our goal to ensure . . .


Lead and CopperLead and Copper Sampling Procedures Sampling Procedures

““Water Safe to Drink”Water Safe to Drink”

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