Revised Total Coliform Rule Webinar: 2 pm CST Jun 28
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This webinar will cover the aspects of the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) and navigate through changes from the original Total Coliform Rule.

One of the focuses of the RTCR is to find and fix possible contamination issues rather than having an MCL violation for total coliform positive samples.  In place of the MCL violation a Level 1 or Level 2 assessment is done on the system to determine what caused the positive total coliform sample.   MCL Violations, however, can still occur due to positive E. Coli samples, failure to conduct required assessments or failure to fix issues found in the assessments.  The webinar will go through the scenarios of an assessment and/or MCL violation to clear up any confusion with the new rule including the public notification requirements.

Another focus of the RTCR is to limit the number of contaminations that could occur at seasonal systems.  This is accomplished by having the systems conduct state approved start-up procedures that include disinfection, flushing, sampling and fixing any sanitary defects.  It also changed the monitoring frequency for most systems to be at least monthly.  The webinar will go into more detail on these requirements for seasonal systems.

The RTCR also required updates to the sample site plans for water systems.  This included ensuring the routine sample sites were representative of quality throughout the system as well as defining the repeat sample site locations in the event of a positive routine sample.  The updates to the sample site plan for most systems should have been done already but the webinar will go through them as well other sampling requirements.

The webinar will conclude with some common issues that have been found since the implementation of the RTCR.

About the Presenter

Steve Attema graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering.  After earning his degree, Steve worked at Bolton & Menk, a consulting engineering firm in Mankato, MN where he was involved design and inspection of water and wastewater systems.  Steve then transitioned to operations where he managed an Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facility near Sioux Falls, SD.  Steve currently is a training specialist at South Dakota Rural Water where he conducts safety and water system training as well providing technical assistance to many water systems.  Steve has given many presentations regarding the Revised Total Coliform Rule and worked with the state primacy agency in helping systems comply with the rule.  He has also consulted with several water systems including updating sample site plans, proper sampling techniques, chlorine residual testing, public notification and more.