(a) General applicability. This section applies to any owner or operator of a public water system (PWS) required to monitor for unregulated contaminants under Sec. 141.40(a); such owner or operator is referred to as ``you.'' This section specifies the information that must be reported to EPA prior to the commencement of monitoring and describes the process for reporting monitoring results to EPA. For the purposes of this section, PWS ``population served'' is the retail population served directly by the PWS as reported to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS/Fed); wholesale or consecutive populations are not included. For purposes of this section, the term ``finished'' means water that is introduced into the distribution system of a PWS and is intended for distribution and consumption without further treatment, except the treatment necessary to maintain water quality in the distribution system (e.g., booster disinfection, addition of corrosion control chemicals). For purposes of this section, the term ``State'' refers to the State or Tribal government entity that has jurisdiction over your PWS even if that government does not have primary enforcement responsibility for PWSs under the Safe Drinking Water Act. For purposes of this section, the term ``PWS Official'' refers to the person at your PWS who is able to function as the official spokesperson for the system's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR) activities; and the term ``PWS Technical Contact'' refers to the person at your PWS who is responsible for the technical aspects of your UCMR activities, such as details concerning sampling and reporting.
(b) Reporting by all systems. You must meet the reporting requirements of this paragraph if you meet the applicability criteria in Sec. 141.40(a)(1) and (2).
(1) Where to submit UCMR reporting requirement information. Some of your reporting requirements are to be fulfilled electronically and others by mail. Information that must be submitted using EPA's electronic data reporting system must be submitted through: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/ucmr/ucmr3/reporting.cfm. Documentation that is required to be mailed can be submitted either: To UCMR Sampling Coordinator, USEPA, Technical Support Center, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive (MS 140), Cincinnati, OH 45268; or by email at UCMR--Sampling--Coordinator@epa.gov. In addition, you must notify the public of the availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring data as provided in subpart Q (Public Notification) of this part (40 CFR 141.207). Community Water Systems that detect unregulated contaminants under this monitoring must also address such detections as part of their Consumer Confidence Reports, as provided in subpart O of this part (40 CFR 141.151).
(2) Contacting EPA if your system does not meet applicability criteria or has a status change. If you have received a letter from EPA concerning your required monitoring and your system does not meet the applicability criteria for UCMR established in Sec. 141.40(a)(1) or (2), or if a change occurs at your system that may affect your requirements under UCMR as defined in Sec. 141.40(a)(3) through (5), you must mail or email a letter to EPA, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The letter must be from your PWS Official and must include an explanation as to why the UCMR requirements are not applicable to your PWS, or have changed for your PWS, along with the appropriate contact information. EPA will make an applicability determination based on your letter and in consultation with the State when necessary. You are subject to UCMR requirements unless and until you receive a letter from EPA agreeing that you do not meet the applicability criteria.
(c) Reporting by large systems. If you serve a population of more than 10,000 people, and meet the applicability criteria in Sec. 141.40(a)(2)(i), you must meet the reporting requirements in paragraphs (c)(1) through (8) of this section.
(1) Contact and zip code information. You must provide contact information by October 1, 2012, and provide updates within 30 days if this information changes. The contact information must be submitted using EPA's electronic data reporting system, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and include the name, affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and email address for your PWS Technical Contact and your PWS Official. In addition, as a one-time reporting requirement, you must report the U.S. Postal Service Zip Code(s) for all areas being served water by your PWS.
(2) Sampling location and inventory information. You must provide your sampling location and inventory information by October 1, 2012, using EPA's electronic data reporting system. You must submit, verify or update the following information for each sampling location, or for each approved representative sampling location (as specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section regarding representative sampling locations): PWS identification (PWSID) code; PWS facility identification code; water source type, sampling point identification code; and sampling point type code; (as defined in Table 1 of paragraph (e) of this section). If this information changes, you must report updates, including new sources and sampling locations that are put in use before or during the PWS' UCMR sampling period, to EPA's electronic data reporting system within 30 days of the change.
(3) Proposed ground water representative sampling locations. Some systems that use ground water as a source and have multiple entry points to the distribution system (EPTDSs) may propose monitoring at representative entry point(s), rather than monitor at every EPTDS, as follows:
(i) Qualifications. Large PWSs that have EPA- or State-approved alternate EPTDS sampling locations from a previous UCMR cycle, or as provided for under Sec. 141.23(a)(1), Sec. 141.24(f)(1), or Sec. 141.24(h)(1), may submit a copy of documentation from their State or EPA that approves their alternative sampling plan for EPTDSs. PWSs that do not have an approved alternative EPTDS sampling plan may submit a proposal to sample at representative EPTDS(s) rather than at each individual EPTDS if: They use ground water as a source; all of their well sources have either the same treatment or no treatment; and they have multiple EPTDSs from the same source, such as an aquifer. You must submit a copy of the existing alternate EPTDS sampling plan or your representative well proposal, as appropriate, by August 1, 2012, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(ii) Demonstration. If you are submitting a proposal to sample at representative EPTDS(s) rather than at each individual EPTDS, you must demonstrate that any EPTDS that you select as representative of the ground water you supply from multiple wells is associated with a well that draws from the same aquifer as the wells it will represent. The proposed well must be representative of the highest annual volume producing and most consistently active wells in the representative array. If that representative well is not in use at the scheduled sampling time, you must select and sample an alternative representative well. You must submit the following information for each proposed representative sampling location: PWSID Code, PWS Facility Identification Code, and Sampling Point Identification Code (as defined in Table 1, paragraph (e) of this section). You must also include documentation to support your proposal that the specified wells are representative of other wells. This documentation can include system-maintained well logs or construction drawings indicating that the representative well(s) is/are at a representative depth, and details of well casings and grouting; data demonstrating relative homogeneity of water quality constituents (e.g., pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, iron, manganese) in samples drawn from each well; and data showing that your wells are located in a limited geographic area (e.g., all wells within a 0.5 mile radius) and/or, if available, the hydrogeologic data indicating the time of travel separating the representative well from each of the individual wells it represents (e.g., all wells within a five-year time of travel delineation). Your proposal must be sent in writing to EPA, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. You must also provide a copy of this information to the State, unless otherwise directed by the State. Information about the actual or potential occurrence or non-occurrence of contaminants in an individual well, or a well's vulnerability to contamination, must not be used as a basis for selecting a representative well.
(iii) Approval. EPA or the State (as specified in the Partnership Agreement reached between the State and EPA) will review your proposal, coordinate any necessary changes with you, and approve the final list of EPTDSs where you will be required to monitor. Your plan will not be final until you receive written approval from EPA or the State.
(4) Contacting EPA if your PWS has not been notified of requirements. If you believe you are subject to UCMR requirements, as defined in Sec. 141.40(a)(1) and (2)(i), and you have not been notified by either EPA or your State by October 1, 2012, you must send a letter to EPA, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The letter must be from your PWS Official and must include an explanation as to why the UCMR requirements are applicable to your system along with the appropriate contact information. A copy of the letter must also be submitted to the State, as directed by the State. EPA will make an applicability determination based on your letter, and in consultation with the State when necessary, and will notify you regarding your applicability status and required sampling schedule. However, if your PWS meets the applicability criteria specified in Sec. 141.40(a)(2)(i), you are subject to the UCMR monitoring and reporting requirements, regardless of whether you have been notified by the State or EPA.
(5) Notifying EPA if your PWS cannot sample according to schedule--(i) General rescheduling notification requirements. Large systems may change their Assessment Monitoring (List 1) or Screening Survey (List 2) schedules up to October 1, 2012, using EPA's electronic data reporting system, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. After these dates have passed, if your PWS cannot sample according to your assigned sampling schedule (e.g., because of budget constraints, or if a sampling location will be closed during the scheduled month of monitoring), you must mail or email a letter to EPA, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, prior to the scheduled sampling date. You must include an explanation of why the samples cannot be taken according to the assigned schedule, and you must provide the alternative schedule you are requesting. You are subject to your assigned UCMR sampling schedule or the schedule that you revised on or before October 1, 2012, unless and until you receive a letter from EPA specifying a new schedule.
(i) General rescheduling notification requirements. Large systems may change their Assessment Monitoring (List 1) or Screening Survey (List 2) schedules up to October 1, 2012, using EPA's electronic data reporting system, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. After these dates have passed, if your PWS cannot sample according to your assigned sampling schedule (e.g., because of budget constraints, or if a sampling location will be closed during the scheduled month of monitoring), you must mail or email a letter to EPA, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, prior to the scheduled sampling date. You must include an explanation of why the samples cannot be taken according to the assigned schedule, and you must provide the alternative schedule you are requesting. You are subject to your assigned UCMR sampling schedule or the schedule that you revised on or before October 1, 2012, unless and until you receive a letter from EPA specifying a new schedule.
(ii) Exceptions to the rescheduling notification requirements. For ground water sampling, if the second round of sampling will be completed five to seven months after the first sampling event, as specified in Table 2 of Sec. 141.40(a)(4)(i)(B), no notification to EPA is required. If any ground water sampling location will be non-operational for more than one month before and one month after the month in which the second sampling event is scheduled (i.e., it is not possible for you to sample within the five to seven month window), you must notify EPA, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, explaining why the schedule cannot be met. You must comply with any modified schedule provided by EPA.
(6) Reporting monitoring results. For each sample, you must report all data elements specified in Table 1 of paragraph (e) of this section, using EPA's electronic data reporting system. You also must report any changes, relative to what is currently posted, made to data elements 1 through 6 to EPA, in writing, explaining the nature and purpose of the proposed change, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(i) Electronic reporting system. You are responsible for ensuring that the laboratory conducting the analysis of your unregulated contaminant monitoring samples (your laboratory) posts the analytical results to EPA's electronic reporting system. You are also responsible for reviewing, approving, and submitting those results to EPA.
(ii) Reporting schedule. You must ensure that your laboratory posts the data to EPA's electronic data reporting system within 120 days from the sample collection date (sample collection must occur as specified in Sec. 141.40(a)(4)). You have 60 days from when the laboratory posts the data in EPA's electronic data reporting system to review, approve, and submit the data to the State and EPA, at the Web address specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. If you do not electronically approve and submit the laboratory data to EPA within 60 days of the laboratory's posting data to EPA's electronic reporting system, the data will be considered approved by you and available for State and EPA review.
(7) Only one set of results accepted. If you report more than one set of valid results for the same sampling location and the same sampling event (for example, because you have had more than one laboratory analyze replicate samples collected under Sec. 141.40(a)(5), or because you have collected multiple samples during a single monitoring event at the same sampling location), EPA will use the highest of the reported values as the official result.
(8) No reporting of previously collected data. You cannot report previously collected data to meet the testing and reporting requirements for the contaminants listed in Sec. 141.40(a)(3). All analyses must be performed by laboratories approved by EPA to perform UCMR analyses using the analytical methods specified in Table 1 of Sec. 141.40(a)(3) and using samples collected according to Sec. 141.40(a)(4). Such requirements preclude the possibility of ``grandfathering'' previously collected data.
(d) Reporting by small systems. If you serve a population of 10,000 or fewer people, and you are notified that you have been selected for UCMR monitoring, your reporting requirements will be specified within the materials that EPA sends you, including a request for contact information, and a request for information associated with the sampling kit.
(1) Contact and zip code information. EPA will send you a notice requesting contact information for key individuals at your system, including name, affiliation, mailing address, phone number and email address. These individuals include your PWS Technical Contact and your PWS Official. You are required to provide this contact information within 90 days of receiving the notice from EPA as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. If this contact information changes, you also must provide updates within 30 days of the change, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. In addition, as a one-time reporting requirement, you must report the U.S. Postal Service Zip Code(s) for all areas being served water by your PWS.
(2) Reporting sampling information. You must record all data elements listed in Table 1 of paragraph (e) of this section on each sample form and sample bottle provided to you by the UCMR Sampling Coordinator. You must send this information as specified in the instructions of your sampling kit, which will include the due date and return address. You must report any changes made in data elements 1 through 6 by mailing or emailing an explanation of the nature and purpose of the proposed change to EPA, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(e) Data elements. Table 1 defines the data elements that must be provided with UCMR sample results.
Table 1--Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Reporting Requirements------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data element Definition------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Public Water System The code used to identify each PWS.
Identification (PWSID) Code. The code begins with the standard 2-
character postal State abbreviation
or Region code; the remaining 7
numbers are unique to each PWS in
the State. The same identification
code must be used to represent the
PWS identification for all current
and future UCMR monitoring.2. Public Water System Facility An identification code established
Identification Code. by the State or, at the State's
discretion, by the PWS, following
the format of a 5-digit number
unique within each PWS for each
applicable facility (i.e., for each
source of water, treatment plant,
distribution system, or any other
facility associated with water
treatment or delivery). The same
identification code must be used to
represent the facility for all
current and future UCMR monitoring.
3. Water Source Type.............. The type of source water that
supplies a water system facility.
Systems must report one of the
following codes for each sampling
location:
SW = surface water (to be
reported for water facilities
that are served all or in part
by a surface water source at any
time during the twelve-month
period).
GW = ground water (to be reported
for water facilities that are
served entirely by a ground
water source).
GU = ground water under the
direct influence of surface
water (to be reported for water
facilities that are served all
or in part by ground water under
the direct influence of surface
water at any time during the
twelve-month sampling period),
and are not served at all by
surface water during this
period.4. Sampling Point Identification An identification code established
Code. by the State, or at the State's
discretion, by the PWS, that
uniquely identifies each sampling
point. Each sampling code must be
unique within each applicable
facility, for each applicable
sampling location (i.e., entry
point to the distribution system or
distribution system sample at
maximum residence time). The same
identification code must be used to
represent the sampling location for
all current and future UCMR
monitoring.5. Sampling Point Type Code....... A code that identifies the location
of the sampling point as either:
EP = entry point to the
distribution system.
MR = distribution system sample
at maximum residence time.6. Disinfectant Type.............. All of the disinfectants that have
been added to the water being
sampled. To be reported by systems
for each sampling point, with
possible choices being:
CLGA= Gaseous chlorine.
CLOF = Offsite Generated
Hypochlorite (stored as a liquid
form).
CLON = Onsite Generated
Hypochlorite (no storage).
CAGC = Chloramine (formed from
gaseous chlorine).
CAOF = Chloramine (formed from
offsite hypochlorite).
CAON = Chloramine (formed from
onsite hypochlorite).
CLDO = Chlorine dioxide.
OZON = Ozone.
ULVL = Ultraviolet Light.
OTHD = All Other Types of
Disinfectant.
NODU = No Disinfectant Used.7. Sample Collection Date......... The date the sample is collected,
reported as 4-digit year, 2-digit
month, and 2-digit day.8. Sample Identification Code..... An alphanumeric value up to 30
characters assigned by the
laboratory to uniquely identify
containers, or groups of
containers, containing water
samples collected at the same
sampling location for the same
sampling date.9. Contaminant.................... The unregulated contaminant for
which the sample is being analyzed.10. Analytical Method Code........ The identification code of the
analytical method used.11. Sample Analysis Type.......... The type of sample collected and/or
prepared, as well as the
fortification level. Permitted
values include:
FS = field sample; sample
collected and submitted for
analysis under this rule.
LFSM = laboratory fortified
sample matrix; a UCMR field
sample with a known amount of
the contaminant of interest
added.
LFSMD = laboratory fortified
sample matrix duplicate;
duplicate of the laboratory
fortified sample matrix.
CF = concentration fortified;
reported with sample analysis
types LFSM and LFSMD, the
concentration of a known
contaminant added to a field
sample.12. Analytical Results--Sign...... A value indicating whether the
sample analysis result was:
(<) ``less than'' means the
contaminant was not detected, or
was detected at a level below
the Minimum Reporting Level.
(=) ``equal to'' means the
contaminant was detected at the
level reported in ``Analytical
Result--Value.''13. Analytical Result--Value...... The actual numeric value of the
analytical results for: field
samples; laboratory fortified
matrix samples; laboratory
fortified sample matrix duplicates;
and concentration fortified.14. Laboratory Identification Code The code, assigned by EPA, used to
identify each laboratory. The code
begins with the standard two-
character State postal
abbreviation; the remaining five
numbers are unique to each
laboratory in the State.15. Sample Event Code............. A code assigned by the PWS for each
sample event. This will associate
samples with the PWS monitoring
plan to allow EPA to track
compliance and completeness.
Systems must assign the following
codes:
SE1 = represents samples
collected to meet the UCMR
monitoring requirement for the
first sampling period (all
source types).
SE2 = represents samples
collected to meet the UCMR
monitoring requirement for the
second sampling period (all
source types).
SE3 = represents samples
collected to meet the UCMR
monitoring requirement for the
third sampling period (surface
water and ground water under the
direct influence of surface
water (GWUDI) sources only).
SE4 = represents samples
collected to meet the UCMR
monitoring requirement for the
fourth sampling period (surface
water and GWUDI sources only).------------------------------------------------------------------------ [72 FR 389, Jan. 4, 2007, as amended at 77 FR 26096, May 2, 2012]