Safe Drinking Water Act Phase II & V Sampling Procedures: Carbamates- Method 531.1

The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended sampling techniques. This presentation includes: supplies needed supplies needed sample tap selection sample tap selection collection; and collection; and shipping. shipping. SOC – Carbamates Sampling Procedures

We know and recognize that there are numerous techniques and methods for collecting drinking water samples. The idea of this presentation is to demonstrate the general method used while providing some helpful suggestions for sample collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or trainee. This presentation is in no way to be considered a substitute for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and amendments. SOC – Carbamates Sampling Procedures

What are SOCs and why do we sample for them? Since the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986, The US Environmental Protection Agency has established Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 23 pesticides, and six other synthetic organic chemicals.

What are SOCs and why do we sample for them? Residues of these chemical contaminants are carried to surface water and groundwater systems

Stormwater discharges And even direct discharge due to aerial spraying. Through farmland runoff What are SOCs and why do we sample for them?

Chemicals like these have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

However, many of these contaminants can usually be removed by granular activated carbons (GAC), and several other types of treatment processes. What are SOCs and why do we sample for them?

There are 6 different methods for testing Phase II & V Synthetic Organic Chemicals that are found on this CD- Rom. They are:  Semi Volatile Organic (SVOC) Chemicals Method  Fumigants Method 551  Herbicides Method  Carbamates Method  Diquat Method 549.1; and  Cyanide Method This presentation will address Carbamates Method What are SOCs and why do we sample for them?

State Guidelines – Rules – Sample Requirements Be sure to check with your state or tribal drinking water program office for additional guidelines, rules and/or sample requirements since they may be more stringent than those required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

SOC Sampling Supplies Before beginning, it is important to have all of your supplies on hand. Here is a list of the suggested supplies you may need for SOC sampling:

Cooler for shipping and storage of your sample while in transit between collection point and lab. SOC Sampling Supplies

Bagged Ice for your shipping cooler. SOC Sampling Supplies

PVC or unsupported Neoprene gloves which are necessary to keep your hands safe from sample container preservative chemicals. SOC Sampling Supplies

Safety Goggles which are necessary to keep your hands and eyes safe from sample container preservative chemicals. SOC Sampling Supplies

Sample Containers SOC Sampling Supplies

Lab slips, labels, and markers for sample container identification SOC Sampling Supplies

Additional Recommended Items are: Paper towels for drying off the outside of your sample container after sampling. SOC Sampling Supplies

Plastic storage baggies for ice and sample container SOC Sampling Supplies

Sample preparation instructions For this sampling Method, The laboratory will normally send you 2- 40mL glass vial containers.

Sampling Preparation Instructions IMPORTANT: The laboratory supplying the sample containers may send trip blanks, sometimes called field reagent blanks, along with the sample containers. Trip blanks consist of sample containers filled at the laboratory, that must remain sealed and must be shipped back to the lab. This is done to check if samples were contaminated during shipment.

Sampling Preparation Instructions If the laboratory has not included trip blanks, contact the laboratory before taking any samples.

Sample preparation instructions Obtain specific instructions from the laboratory at the time empty containers are received. The instructions provided by the laboratory will indicate when field reagent blanks have been included.

As a general rule, proper washing of hands is highly recommended for the sample collector. Sample preparation instructions

Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette smoke should never come into contact with the sample or its containers. These foreign objects have been suspected of causing false results in samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample collection procedures. Sample preparation instructions

Do not sample with any containers that appear to have been tampered with since this may cause an undesirable sample result. Sample preparation instructions

Sampling Procedures The laboratory that supplies the sampling containers may provide instruction with the kit for the type of monitoring being performed. Be sure to refer to those instructions when provided.

Important Safety Precautions Safety goggles and gloves must be worn.

Wash hands before and after sampling. Important Safety Precautions

Caution-Hazard Sample containers may contain liquid preservatives. Liquid preservatives will cause burns. If it comes into contact with the skin or eyes, flush with liberal amounts of water and seek immediate medical attention.

Select a state approved sampling location if any have been designated. If not, select a representative sampling location. For a surface water system, the plant effluent tap might be an appropriate sampling location. For a well discharging directly into a distribution system (entry point to the distribution system or EPTDS), a tap on the well’s discharge piping after any treatment would be appropriate. Sampling Procedures

If possible, use a non-swivel faucet and remove all attachments, including any aerators, strainers and hoses. It is normally recommended not to take a sample at that location if all attachments cannot be removed because they may alter the sample results. Sampling Procedures

Turn on the water tap and run the water for 2- 3 minutes then reduce the flow so that the stream is approximately ¼ inch in diameter. Do not change the flow rate until after sampling is completed. Sampling Procedures

While the water is running for those 2-3 minutes, completely fill out the 2-3 minutes, completely fill out the labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly identify the system information, like identify the system information, like the public water system identification the public water system identification number, exact sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name. number, exact sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name. If the sample collection point has a specific coded identification, include it on the label and sample submission form. Be sure to attach the label prior to sampling. A wet sample container may not allow the label to properly adhere. Sampling Procedures

Remove the cap from the vial, keeping the vial upright to prevent spilling any preservatives. Do not put the cap face down or put it in your pocket. Do not allow the inside of the cap or the bottle threads to be touched by any object Sampling Procedures

Hold the vial at an angle pointing away from your face and carefully fill it until it is completely full. Be careful not to rinse out the preservatives. If acid has been added to the vial by the laboratory, it will mix rapidly with the water and may splatter a bit. Sampling Procedures

Carefully complete filling the vial by putting water inside the cap and transferring it one drop at a time to the vial Sampling Procedures

Screw the cap on the bottle being sure not to overtighten the cap Sampling Procedures

Invert the bottle, tap against your other hand, and check for air bubbles. If any are present, add additional water- just a drop or 2, seal and check again. Sampling Procedures

Remember that each “sample” consists of 2 to 3 filled vials. Repeat the above sampling procedures to fill additional vials for each sample. Sampling Procedures

Complete all necessary forms supplied by the laboratory with the appropriate information. In many states, the same form that is filled out here will be used to report the analytical results. Also, you may need to complete a chain of custody form, if required.

Place the samples in a cooler. The trip blanks, if any were sent with your samples, should still be in the cooler. Keep the samples at 2 degrees to 6 degrees Celsius (36 degrees to 43 degrees Fahrenheit) and keep them away form direct light or gasoline and solvent vapors. Pack the samples in a cooler with Ice. As a tip, it might be a good idea to bag up the sample and the ice separately in the cooler. This will help prevent leakage or contamination of the sample from the ice. Sampling Procedures

Deliver the samples to the laboratory or ship the samples by an overnight courier. This will ensure prompt testing for the most accurate results. All samples must be received by the laboratory within 48 hours. Sampling Procedures

If the laboratory has any additional recommendations or requirements, they should be read and followed closely. Sampling Procedures

If you have any additional questions, please contact your state or tribal drinking water program office for assistance. Following the proper drinking water sample collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, knowing that the test results truly represent the quality of water your customers are drinking. After all, isn’t our goal to ensure... Following the proper drinking water sample collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, knowing that the test results truly represent the quality of water your customers are drinking. After all, isn’t our goal to ensure... Sampling Procedures

SOC Carbamates – Method Sampling Procedures “Water Safe to Drink”