Our last issue included an article regarding Samplegeddon. What is Samplegeddon? In 2019, nine-year, six-year, three-year, annual, six-month, and quarterly monitoring compliance schedules will converge - that's Samplegeddon. This only happens every nine years! As a result, the department is working diligently to remind water systems of their monitoring requirements.
Based on the figure below, as of January 15, 2018:
- Overall, approximately 60% of systems have completed their three, six, and nine year sampling schedules. However, this means that 40% of systems still have not met their monitoring requirements.
- Great news - a majority of systems have sampled for nitrite, which is on a nine-year schedule! However, 15% of systems are still outstanding.
- The area with the most uncompleted sampling is for synthetic organic chemicals. To date, only 43% of systems have collected their required samples.
To avoid any potential monitoring and reporting violations, please remember to:
- Review your system’s monitoring schedule to ensure samples will be collected at the appropriate sample point, during the correct collection period, and that there are not separate requirements for specific analytes within a group. Have enough sampling bottles on hand to address each requirement as it arises - you may even want a few extra.
- Collect and deliver your samples to a certified laboratory early in your compliance period. Be sure that the chosen laboratory will be able to process your sample results and report them to the department by January 10, 2020. Laboratories may be extra busy as the deadline approaches; do what you can to avoid surprises or delays! Submitting samples early helps ensure that they will be received by the department on time, and it may also ensure adequate time to re-sample or correct reporting errors if needed.
- Confirm that sample results have been received and accepted by checking your system’s online monitoring schedules. Schedules are updated every Wednesday night to reflect changes.
- Contact your drinking water compliance specialist with any questions or concerns.
- Submit your data early. Remember, the best way to submit drinking water data to the department is through the drinking water portal.
➽ Nicole Graziano and Jamie Duvall, drinking water compliance assurance section
