LABORATORIES CERTIFIED for DRINKING WATER ANALYSES

Public Water Systems conducting water quality monitoring for constituents under the Safe Drinking Water Act State and State of Vermont Water Supply Rule, Chapter 21, are required to have all samples analyzed by a laboratory certified for drinking water analyses by the Vermont Department of Health.  The certifying authority in Vermont for both in-state and out-of -state laboratories is the Vermont Department of Health.  A list of Laboratories Certified for Drinking Water Analyses may be found at the Vermont Department of Health website: http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/ph_lab/lab.aspxl

Please direct any questions regarding laboratory certification and this list to:
George Mills
Program Chief and Laboratory Certification Officer

Vermont State Public Health Laboratory

195 Colchester Ave. Burlington , VT
Phone 802-863-7612

Fax 802-863-7632

Several of the contaminants are grouped according to the test method used by the laboratory.   To view the Public Water System list of drinking water contaminants for Compliance Monitoring listed by contaminant(s) or analyses groups click on the following link:  Public Water System list of drinking water contaminants for Compliance Monitoring listed by contaminant(s) or analyses groups  PDF 80KB 4 pages

Laboratories are required to be certified for all contaminants in a group before they will receive an "X" for that group as listed on the Vermont Department of Health, Laboratories Certified for Drinking Water Analysis table.

ADDRESS PHONE AND INFORMATION UPDATES

NEW! Lead & Copper Rule Revisions-Effective 12/10/2009

The revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule will enhance the implementation of the LCR in the areas of monitoring, treatment, customer awareness, lead service line replacement; and improve compliance with the public education requirements of the LCR and ensure drinking water consumers receive meaningful, timely, and useful information needed to help them limit their exposure to lead in drinking water.

EPA Quick Reference Guide

EPA Guidance Document

EPA Lead and Copper Rule Short-Term Revisions and Clarifications: Draft Regulatory Guidance

New Federal Ground Water Rule (Effective December 1, 2009)

Description: The purpose of the rule is to reduce disease incidence associated with disease-causing microorganisms in drinking water. The rule establishes a risk-based approach to target ground water systems that are vulnerable to fecal contamination.  Ground water systems that are identified as being at risk of fecal contamination must take corrective action to reduce potential illness from exposure to microbial pathogens.  The rule will apply to all systems that use ground water as a source of drinking water and will become effective December 1, 2009. 

PLEASE NOTE: Once this rule becomes effective, all water systems with total coliform positive results from distribution sampling will be required to meet the Groundwater Rule Standards. If you own or operate a ground water system, it is highly suggested that you come to this course.

USEPA QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE AND FACT SHEETS

NEW! Monthly Water System Operations Report for Groundwater System MSWord 228K PDF 129KB

New Ground Water Rule Trainings

The PowerPoint Presentation for this training:

EPA Groundwater Rule Training

The Stage 2 Disinfection and Disinfection Byproducts Rule and Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule will be implemented over the next year or two depending on system population.  Water systems will need to achieve simultaneous compliance in reducing disinfection byproducts yet insuring any microbial threat has been fully addressed.  In order to obtain compliance, systems may be considering alternative primary disinfectants and other secondary disinfectants besides free chlorine. 

Stage 2 Disinfection By-Products (DBP) Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE): As a first step, systems that did not qualify for a very small system waiver or  a 40/30 waiver are required to complete an Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE)

The requirements for systems required to complete an IDSE differ only slightly for systems designated as Schedule 3 (and their consecutives) serving 10,000 to 49,999 people and those with a Schedule 4 designation (serving fewer than 10,000 people). For both type systems data collection should be completed or nearly completed and IDSE reports will soon come due. 

The IDSE report is due to the Vermont Water Supply Division by:

• January 1, 2010 -  Schedule 3 Systems
• July 1, 2010 - Schedule 4 Systems

An IDSE Report for Standard Monitoring Template (Form 7) is available to use to prepare the IDSE Report: MSWord 299KB

Compliance monitoring for all systems subject to the Stage 2 DBP Rule will begin October 1, 2013.

In 2007, The State of Vermont Water Supply Division hosted a symposium to examine recent research on the need for primary and secondary disinfection in the multi-barrier approach to providing safe water and the extent of primary disinfection procedures required to reduce the microbial threat to meet standards.  The following links are the various Power Point presentations from the November Symposium.

Waterborne Microorganisms and Disease: The Need for Disinfection

Evaluating Disinfection By-Product Reduction Options Using Simultaneous Compliance Measures

Primary Disinfectants In Drinking Water

Alternative Secondary Disinfectants: Advantages and Disadvantages

Risks from Disinfection By-Products Produced by Chlorine, Chloramine, and Chlorine Dioxide

Reducing Disinfection By-Products: A Case Study

Developments of the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products Rule

Water System Operators Training Courses - The following list of associations offer water operator courses.  Each link provides a list of course information (i.e., date, time, class name, contact, TCH's, fee, and location).

Vermont Rural Water Association

Green Mountain Water Environment Association

New England Water Works Association

Exams - The Vermont Water Operators Exams wil be administered twice a year in November and May.  To register, complete the correct exam registration form at one of the following links and return it to the Vermont Water Supply Division:
- Class 2 Operator Certification Exam Registration (MS Word 115KB)
- Class 3, 4, and D Operators Certification Exam Registration (MS Word 114KB)

WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR CERTIFICATION FORMS

Water System Operator Certification application forms

WATER SUPPLY RULE

 Water Supply Rule

DRINKING WATER PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notice Certification Form: MS Word 115KB PDF Document 103KB

Basic Boil Water Notice

Boil Water Notice Acute MCL

Boil Water Notice Non-Acute MCL

Tier 3 Public Notice Form: MS Word 57 KB PDF Document 28 KB

WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR GUIDANCE

 Corrective Action Requirement PDF

Bulk Water Hauling As an Emergency Practice Guidance  PDF

How to Hire an Operator Guidance PDF

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM SAMPLING PLANS

All Community and Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems are required to develop a sampling plan. Transient Non-Community Systems must develop a bacteriological sampling plan only.  TNC's can go to the TNC Page for more information.

Sampling plans should be submitted to the Water Supply Division for review and approval.  The system should review the plan every 3-5 years to make sure information is up to date.  New areas of development and/or changes in treatment may warrant changes to your sampling plan

Newly revised detailed guidance documents are available to help you prepare your sampling plan.

Bacteriological Sampling Plan Guidance

Disinfection By-Product Sampling Plan Guidance

Lead and Copper Sampling Plan Guidance

Sampling plan forms are also available.  Forms may be used individually or may be completed and submitted together as a comprehensive sampling plan.

Bacteriological Sample Plan Form

Disinfection By-Product Sample Plan Form

Lead and Copper Sample Plan Form

The following is an editable template of a simple surface water system (Adams Acres).  You may edit this example to create your own sampling plan.

Adams Acres Sample