WAC 246-290-72290

This section takes effect on January 1, 2027. This section applies to systems required to comply with WAC 246-290-300(3).

(1) Any system required to comply with the level 1 assessment requirement or a level 2 assessment requirement that is not due to an E. coli MCL violation must include in the report the text found in (a) through (c) of this subsection as appropriate, filling in the blanks accordingly, and the text found in (d)(i) and (ii) of this subsection, if appropriate. Systems may use an alternative statement with equivalent information for (b) and (c) of this subsection if approved by the department.

(a) Coliforms are bacteria that occur naturally in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, waterborne organisms may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessment(s) to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments.

(b) Because we found coliforms during sampling, we were required to conduct (INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENTS) assessment(s) of the system, also known as a level 1 assessment, to identify possible sources of contamination. (INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENTS) level 1 assessment(s) were completed. In addition, we were required to take (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) corrective actions and we completed (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) of these actions.

(c) Because we found coliforms during sampling, we were required to conduct (INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS) detailed assessments, also known as a level 2 assessment, to identify possible sources of contamination. (INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS) level 2 assessments were completed. In addition, we were required to take (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) corrective actions and we completed (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) of these actions.

(d) Any system that has failed to complete all the required assessments or correct all identified sanitary defects, is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and must also include one or both of the following statements, as appropriate:

(i) During the past year we failed to conduct all the required assessment(s).

(ii) During the past year we failed to correct all identified defects that were found during the assessment.

(2) Any system required to conduct a level 2 assessment due to an E. coli MCL violation must include in the report the text found in (a) and (b) of this subsection, filling in the blanks accordingly; health effects language in WAC 246-290-72400; and the text found in (c)(i) and (ii) of this subsection, if appropriate. Systems may use an alternative statement with equivalent information for (a) through (c) of this subsection, if approved by the department.

(a) We found E. coli bacteria, indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessment(s), also known as a level 2 assessment, to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments.

(b) We were required to complete a detailed assessment of our water system, also known as a level 2 assessment, because we found E. coli in our water system. In addition, we were required to take (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) corrective actions and we completed (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) of these actions.

(c) Any system that has failed to complete the required assessment or correct all identified sanitary defects, is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and must also include one or both of the following statements, as appropriate:

(i) We failed to conduct the required assessment.

(ii) We failed to correct all defects that were identified during the assessment that we conducted.

(3) If a system detects E. coli and has violated the E. coli MCL, in addition to completing the table as required in WAC 246-290-72230(4), the system must include one or more of the following statements to describe any noncompliance, as applicable:

(a) We had an E. coli-positive repeat sample following a total coliform-positive routine sample.

(b) We had a total coliform-positive repeat sample following an E. coli-positive routine sample.

(c) We failed to take all required repeat samples following an E. coli-positive routine sample.

(d) We failed to test for E. coli when any repeat sample tested positive for total coliform.

(4) If a system detects E. coli and has not violated the E. coli MCL, in addition to completing the table as required in WAC 246-290-72230(4), the system may include a statement that explains that although they have detected E. coli, they are not in violation of the E. coli MCL.