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Water: Small Systems and Capacity Development

EPA’s Interactive Sampling Guide for Drinking Water System Operators

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What is the Interactive Sampling Guide for Drinking Water System Operators?
EPA has developed this new interactive CD-Rom and web site as part of our ongoing public drinking water sustainable infrastructure efforts.  The purpose of this guide is to help drinking water system owners and operators better understand the general procedures involved in collecting Safe Drinking Water Act compliance samples.  Additional sample shipping suggestions, sample tips, and sample requirements are made available within the body of this interactive guide.

Sampling Guide


This section of the CD is to help you in answering that age-old question of “How do I collect that type of sample?” To ensure that you are performing the proper sampling technique, we have compiled several general sampling procedures for you to follow. You can either watch and learn from a video, or you can choose to download a PowerPoint presentation to your local computer with the same information.
Five Easy Ways to Order

1. Online:
National Service Center for Environmental Publications

2. Mail:
U.S. EPA/NSCEP
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242-0419

3. Fax:
513-489-8695
(24-hours a day - 7 days a week)

4. Email:ncepimal@one.net

5. Phone:
1-800-490-9198 or
513-489-8190
Speak to an operator Monday thru Friday, 7:30 am - 5:30 pm EST or leave a message for your order 24-hours a day.

Express delivery:Need it Fast? Contact the NSCEP with your Federal Express or other Express Shipping account information.

Ordering instructions:
When using any of these methods please make sure to reference the EPA Publication Number and the name of the CD:EPA’s Interactive Sampling Guide for Drinking Water System Operators:

  • CD English
    EPA 816-C-06-001
  • CD Spanish
    EPA 816-C-06-003
  • Brochure
    EPA 816-F-06-013
Sampling Procedures Covered:
  • IOC –Cyanide
  • IOC – Metals
  • IOC – Non-Metals
  • Lead & Copper
  • Radionuclides
  • Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC)
  • SOC – Carbamates
  • SOC – Diquat
  • SOC – Hebicides
  • SOC – Volatile Fumigants
  • Total Coliform
  • Total Nitrate
  • TTHM/HAA5
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Case Studies
Contaminants can be detected within a water system at any given time and sometimes without warning. The key to success, once a contaminant is identified, is knowing how to establish a plan to protect your consumers and eliminate or minimize the contaminant. These case studies cover a variety of different types of contamination from real public drinking water systems. See how several small water systems successfully dealt with these contaminants.

Case Study Topics:
  • Banneker – Iron/Manganese
  • Española – VOC
  • Great Falls – VOC
  • Missoula – SVOC
  • Nokesville – Total Nitrate
  • Middleburg – Bacteriological
  • Waterford – Lead & Copper


Contaminant List
This is a listing of contaminants based on the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. These primary standards have been established to protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water. Use the on-screen controls to change pages, zoom, search and print the list.

En español: Este CD está también disponible en español. Solicite la versión en español al ordenar.

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