The documents and materials listed below are to assist distribution systems in developing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices guide.
A series of TCR issue papers developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Water Works Association presents information related to the TCR. Additionally, a series of "white papers" on distribution system issues highlights potential public health risks associated with distribution system issues. Some of the distribution system papers were prepared by parties outside of EPA; EPA does not endorse these papers but is providing them for review.
The TCR issue papers and distribution system papers may be downloaded from EPA's Web page on "TCR Revisions." These papers will be used to support the pending revision of the TCR and evaluate the need for a distribution system rule.
During the week of Jan. 30, EPA held an expert workshop to explore issues related to revision of the TCR and possible creation of a distribution system rule. All of the presentations from the three-day workshop can be accessed on EPA’s TCR Revision Web page.
As of March 30, 2007, Ben Grumbles, assistant administrator of the Office of Water, decided to request the establishment of a Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) to formally engage key stakeholders to develop an "agreement in principle" to revise the TCR and determine what additional information is needed to better inform EPA about the health risks associated with distribution system issues. The data-gathering effort may be accomplished through research or through a data collection rule approach. The establishment of a FAC and approval of members is pending the EPA deputy administrator's final decision. Details on the formation of the steering committee will be distributed when the exact timetable for the EPA process is known.
A quick reference guide for the TCR was created by EPA in September 2001. Originally published in 1989, the TCR resulted in reduced risk of illness from disease-causing organisms associated with sewage or animal wastes. The rule improved public health protection by reducing fecal pathogens to minimal levels through control of total coliform bacteria, including fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli). This guide is a handy reference for rule requirements, including routine sampling requirements, repeat sampling requirements, monitoring frequencies based on population, compliance determination and public notification requirements. The TCR is currently undergoing the six-year review process and may be subject to change.
Fact Sheet for Distribution Systems: A best practices guide. This short guide provides information on the critical maintenance tasks that small systems should regularly practice to ensure the integrity of their distribution system. It discusses the importance of maintaining the distribution system and is intended for owners and operators of all public water systems serving fewer than 10,000 persons. For more information, visit EPA’s Web site for small systems and capacity development.
An effective interactive CD-ROM helps drinking water system owners and operators better understand the general procedures involved in collecting Safe Drinking Water Act samples, including those collected for the TCR. Released in 2006, EPA developed this interactive tool as part of continued support of sustainable infrastructure in public drinking water. EPA spent significant resources to create this interactive guide to assist water systems in determining proper technique and protocol for sampling contaminants. This CD-ROM can be used by anyone who needs advice on sampling procedures. The interactive guide is separated into four topics: (1) the sampling procedure guide, (2) case studies of contaminants, (3) the rule wizard and (4) the regulatory contaminant list. This CD-ROM is available free by ordering online through EPA's Publications Index and performing a simple search for EPA publication number 816C06001. Or, call the EPA Publications Index at 1-800-490-9198. As with all of EPA’s publications, this CD-ROM is available in Spanish (publication number 816C06003).
EPA's Web page titled "Small System Information and Guidance" provides tools, quick reference guides, handbooks and resources to help effectively manage a water system. For example, the preventive maintenance tools is divided into sections that outline daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Plus, there are individual sections that describe specific tasks for each month of the year. Each section contains guidance notes that provide additional information on some tasks.
Water system owner responsibilities is a guide from EPA that cites roles and responsibilities of water system owners.
Water system operator responsibilites lists the roles, duties and responsibilities of a water system operator.
Small system treatment technology selection. This is a technical document that allows operators or water system owners to consider alternatives to treatment. The concepts covered include:
- Does the water system really want to be in business?
- Are there practical or economically attractive alternatives to treatment?
- Which alternatives can be considered?
- What factors influence treatment selection?
- Example case study of treatment options analysis.
- Pros and cons of conventional treatment, chemical disinfection, UV disinfection, granular activated carbon, point-of-use (POU) devices and point-of-entry (POE) devices.
Introduction to the public water system. This presentation illustrates a comprehensive picture of implementing key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The roles and responsibilities of public water systems are outlined. Essential terms and concepts are defined. This is a good refresher presentation for those who work with public water systems. New employees who are not familiar with public water system supervision benefit. This is a Drinking Water Academy module from EPA created for self-paced training. These questions are covered:
- What is a public water system?
- What is the public water system supervision (PWSS) program and what are its components?
- What are the roles of EPA, states, tribes and public water systems under the PWSS program?
- How are regulations developed under the PWSS program?
- What does primacy mean?
- What are the National Primary Drinking Water regulations?
- What are the four major components of most water systems?
Brochures and information for water treatment and distribution systems are available from NSF International, the Public Health and Safety Company. NSF is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop American National Standards. ANSI's accreditation verifies that NSF develops standards in a manner to ensure openness and due process allowing for equity and fair play. Over 50 voluntary American National Standards have been developed by NSF under the scope of public health and safety. If you have a question or need to speak with someone at NSF, call 800-673-6275.
