drinking water - water quality monitoring

All public water systems must perform water quality monitoring to demonstrate that the water provided to customers is safe to drink. The kinds of samples that are required, the number of samples that are required, and the frequency of collection are based on the water system type, population, treatment, and water quality history.  Water quality monitoring requirements for TNC water systems can be divided into two general categories:  source permitting water quality monitoring and routine water quality monitoring.

The Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) is effective April 1, 2016 and utilizes regular bacteria (coliform) monitoring as an indicator for system integrity, to signal possible fecal contamination, and the presence of waterborne pathogens. The RTCR applies to every public drinking water system in Vermont. This new rule is an update to the 1989 Total Coliform Rule and provides some key changes.

Cyanobacteria Importance to Drinking Water Facilities

Distribution System Monitoring (Total Coliform, Lead & Copper, Disinfection By-Products)

The Division provides real-time, up-to-date monitoring schedules on its website, available through the MONITORING SCHEDULES tool.

Water systems are responsible for conducting monitoring of drinking water to ensure that it meets all drinking water standards as determined by its monitoring schedule, which can be checked via the database below. The frequency of monitoring is often dependent on the contaminant and the population served by the public water system. Public water systems serving large populations generally require more monitoring because of the greater potential impact of violations. Primary standards protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water.

Public Water Systems conducting water quality monitoring for constituents under the Safe Drinking Water Act State and State of Vermont Water Supply Rule, Chapter 21, are required to have all samples analyzed by a laboratory certified for drinking water analyses by the Vermont Department of Health.

Lead and copper are metals that can enter drinking water, primarily from plumbing materials. Community and Non-Transient Non-Community public water supplies are regulated under the federal Lead and Copper Rule and the Vermont Water Supply Rule that refers to it.