Total Coliform Rule

Compliance with the Total Coliform Rule (TCR) is required by the Public Water Supply (PWS) Rules of the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM 17.38.215), which adopts the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR 141.21).

Forms and Links

Inventory Update Report – used to update contact information for your system MCL

Violation Flow Chart – used to determine compliance with the TCR Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) only for system collecting one routine sample per month; if you have questions reading this chart please contact your rule manager

EPA’s TCR Quick Reference – Summary of federal Total Coliform Rule

EPA’s PN Quick Reference – Summary of federal Public Notice Rule

Public Notice Handbook – Contains example public notices for various violations

Total Coliform Rule Sample Site Plan Template - Use this form to submit changes or for a new sample site plan for the TCR

Sample Collection – Instructions on How to collect a Bacteriological sample

Groundwater Rule Total Coliform Rule Sample Overlap Guidance

TCR Summary (Under Construction) – Summary of TCR requirements for PWSs in the state of Montana

Public Notice

Public Water Supplies must comply with the Public Notice Rule and notify their customers whenever they violate federal or state regulations; this includes contaminant violations and monitoring and reporting violations.

EPA has developed the PNiWriter to help operators generate and distribute a public notice that meets all federal requirements. The PNiWriter is a great tool and we encourage operators to use it whenever public notice is required. (PNiWriter Flyer)

FAQ

~We understand the sampling requirements for the TCR are quite complex and we encourage you to call us whenever you have a question.~

Q: I received “RE: Notice of Drinking Water Monitoring Violation” letter, what do I do now?

A: If you collected a sample during the compliance period in question please send us a copy of the sample results. If you did not collect a sample during the compliance period in question you are in violation of the TCR and need to complete public notice (Tier 3 public notice is required for monitoring and reporting violations, a template was mailed to you with the violation letter), remember to submit a representative copy to us.

Q: I only collect one routine sample per month and it came back total coliform positive, what do I do now?

A: Collect 4 repeats immediately (by law you are required to collect repeat samples within 24 hours of being notified of a positive routine sample). Do not disinfect your system prior to collecting repeats; this will only mask a potential problem. One sample must be from the same site as the original positive sample, one should be within 5 service connections upstream, one should be within 5 service connections downstream, the fourth can be from anywhere in the system you feel it will help you best identify and isolate the contamination. Repeat samples must all be taken on the same day.

Q: All 4 of my repeat samples came back good, what do I do now?

A: That’s great news; you still need to collect 5 temporary routine samples (otherwise known as follow-up samples) next month. One sample must be from the original positive site, the other four can be from other points in your distribution system. If all 5 of your routines come back good then the following month you can return to your regular sampling requirements.

Q: One of my 5 temporary routine samples came back positive, what do I do now?

A: Collect 3 repeats immediately (by law you are required to collect repeat samples within 24 hours of being notified of a positive routine sample). One sample must be from the same site as the original positive sample, one should be within 5 service connections upstream and one should be within 5 service connections downstream. Repeat samples must all be taken on the same day. You also must take 5 temporary routine samples next month.

Contacts