Drinking Water Regulations

Question 1

MCL and MCLG

Answer 1

Maximum Contaminant Level and Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

Question 2

Contaminants that are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and have no specific health effect.

Answer 2

Secondary contaminants (secondary MCL’s)

Question 3

Drinking water contaminants regulated because of health concerns.

Answer 3

Primary Drinking Water Contaminant

Question 4

Radio active gas in drinking water.

Answer 4

Radon

Question 5

Most of the lead in drinking water comes from this source.

Answer 5

From corrosion of plumbing materials

Question 6

Methods used to measure flurried concentration in drinking water.

Answer 6

• Fluoride specific ion electrode

- SPADNS method

Question 7

These situation require the water supplier to make public notification.

Answer 7

• Violation of MCL
• Sampling or reporting violation
• Water system is operating under variance or waiver

Question 8

This entity must approve a water system bacteriological sampling plan.

Answer 8

The state or other government body having jurisdiction

Question 9

Total coliform MCL

Answer 9

• More than one positive sample per month (0-40 samples/month)
• More than 5% positive samples per month (more than 40 samples/month)

Question 10

The health concern for excess fluoride in drinking water.

Answer 10

• Mottled (discoloration) teeth

- Fluorosis (misshaping) of the bones

Question 11

Plumbing code prohibits this connection.

Answer 11

Potable water connection to a sewer connected waste

Question 12

The surface water treatment rule requires inactivation of giardia and viruses at this level.

Answer 12

• 3 log inactivation of giardia cysts

- 4 log inactivation of viruses

Question 13

Maximum contaminant level: Nitrate

Answer 13

• MCL is 10 mg/L

Question 14

Maximum contaminant level: Fluoride

Answer 14

• MCL is 4 mg/L

Question 15

Action level: Lead

Answer 15

• 0.015 mg/L or 15 parts per billion

Question 16

Action level: Copper

Answer 16

• 1.3 mg/L

Question 17

Health concern for lead in drinking water.

Answer 17

Nervous system impairment that can affect mental development, especially in children.

Question 18

Health concern for nitrate in drinking water.

Answer 18

Met-hemeglobinemia or blue baby syndrome

Question 19

Authority for state to implement and enforce a federal regulation such as the Safe Drinking Water Act

Answer 19

Primacy

Question 20

Bacteriological samples that test positive for total coliform bacteria must also be tested for this.

Answer 20

Fecal coliform or E. coli

Question 21

This indicates an “acute” coliform violation.

Answer 21

• Fecal coliform or E. coli positive sample followed by a total coliform positive repeat sample
  (or)
• Total coliform positive sample followed by a fecal coliform or E. coli positive repeat sample

Question 22

Contaminants indicated by the following.

• SOC
• VOC
• IOC

Answer 22

• Synthetic Organic Contaminants
• Volatile Organic Contaminants
• Inorganic Contaminants