1. Safe Drinking Water Act Phase II & V Sampling Procedures: Semi-Volatile Organic Chemicals- Method 525.2

2. 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 – SVOC Sampling Procedures

3. 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 – SVOC Sampling Procedures

4. 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.

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

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

7. These chemicals have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

8. 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?

9. 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 525.2  Fumigants Method 551  Herbicides Method 515.3  Carbamates Method 531.1  Diquat Method 549.1; and  Cyanide Method 335.2 This presentation will address SVOC Method 525.2 What are SOCs and why do we sample for them?

10. 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.

11. 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:

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

13. Bagged Ice for your shipping cooler. SOC Sampling Supplies

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

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

16. Sample Containers SOC Sampling Supplies

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

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

19. Plastic storage baggies for ice and sample container SOC Sampling Supplies

20. Sample preparation instructions For this sampling Method, The laboratory will normally send you 2- one liter glass bottles

21. Sample 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

22. Sample preparation instructions It is essential that the laboratory be informed whether your water supply is chlorinated or unchlorinated at the time you order your sampling containers.

23. Sample preparation instructions The laboratory will normally add the proper preservative in advance. For chlorinated waters, preservative in advance. For chlorinated waters, a powdered dechlorinating agent will be added, and you may be required to add an acid (usually hydrochloric acid) to the filled containers. For unchlorinated waters, the laboratory will add the acid to the empty containers, if necessary, instead of a dechlorinating agent.

24. 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.

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

26. 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

27. It is recommended that you not sample with any containers that appear to have been tampered with since this may cause an undesirable sample result. Sample preparation instructions

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. Caution-Hazard - Sample containers may contain acid or other liquid preservatives. These may cause burns. If they come into contact with your skin or eyes, flush with liberal amounts of water and seek immediate medical attention.

35. Remove the cap from the container, keeping the container upright to prevent spilling any preservatives. Do no put the cap face down or put it in your pocket. Do not allow the inside of the cap, the inside of the container, or the container threads to be touched by any object. DO NOT rinse out the container prior to sampling. Sampling Procedures

36. Hold container at an angle pointing away form your face and carefully fill it to its shoulder. If acid is in the container, it will mix rapidly with the water and may splatter a bit. Leave enough room in the bottle so that the sample can be shaken to mix the preservative. Put the cap on the container, tighten it, and shake the bottle vigorously for one minute. Sampling Procedures

37. Remember that each “sample” consists of 2 to 3 filled containers. Repeat the above steps and the remaining below to fill additional containers for each sample.

38. Sampling Procedures Complete the forms supplied by the laboratory with the appropriate information such as public water systems (PWS) identification number, exact sample collection location, date and time, type of sample collection (raw, plant tap, entry point, or distribution), and type of analysis to be run. In many states, the same form that is filled out here will be used to report the analytical results. Also, complete a chain of custody form if required.

39. Place the samples in a cooler. The trip blanks 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

40. 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

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

42. 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

43. SOC SVOC 525.2 Sampling Procedures “Water Safe to Drink”