What is a monitoring schedule?
A monitoring schedule is a tool that lists the parameters and sampling requirements for your public water system. It helps you identify when you need to sample for which analytes at which sample sites.
You can use the monitoring schedule to:
- Identify the where and when of your required sampling
- Plan your system’s sampling schedule for the calendar year
- Verify that your sample results are being received by the division
- Identify which analytes are required sampling for your system
- Help you fill out your chain of custody (COC) for your lab
Where can I find my monitoring schedule?
The most up-to-date PWS monitoring schedules can be found by visiting the division’s monitoring schedule website and searching for your system’s PWSID (COXXXXXXX) or name.
If you cannot access the internet to find your monitoring schedule please contact the Compliance Assurance Unit’s public assistance line at 303-692-3556. Your monitoring schedule will be updated on the division’s website every Wednesday to reflect up-to-date schedule and sample results received information. It may take a few weeks for submitted samples to be reflected in the schedule due to lab turnaround and reporting time.
How to read my monitoring schedule?
What if I think there is incorrect information in my monitoring schedule?
If you notice something in your schedule that seems off (common errors include admin contact, operator contacts, and lead and copper sample sites), please submit sections of your monitoring plan that need to be updated.
Resources:
- Division’s monitoring schedule website
- Example monitoring schedule
- Further sampling specifics information
What is a monitoring plan?
The monitoring plan is another tool for your system that helps you capture an accurate inventory of your system and communicate that inventory to the division. The division then uses this information to develop your monitoring schedule and your compliance requirements. All public water systems are required to have a monitoring plan per regulation 11. The plan is required to be current, complete, and any new changes need to be reflected in your monitoring plan within 30 calendar days after the change is effective. During a sanitary survey, the inspector will ask to see your monitoring plan, they will confirm that the monitoring plan reflects the on-site review of your system.
The monitoring plan includes:
- System contact information.
- Inventory of facilities.
- Process flow diagrams detailing treatment and entry point sampling.
- Source, treatment and distribution details.
- Maps of your distribution system detailing sample locations.
- Individual rules sampling/monitoring plans (e.g. nitrate rule).
How do I create or update my monitoring plan?
The division has created an online tool to help you update your monitoring plan, we call it the monitoring plan wizard. This tool will help you to generate and update your monitoring plan. It is a google form that you fill out based on the sections that you need to generate or update for your system. You then receive an email with a pre-populated google document for the section(s) that you selected. You then download the pre-populated sections as a word document or a similar file. You will fill out any information that is lacking, review the pre-populated information to ensure that it is correct, and then submit the plan to the division. The best way to submit is through the drinking water portal. Paper forms are available if you choose not to use the wizard.
If it has been some years since you have updated your monitoring plan it may be beneficial to create a new monitoring plan. To do this you will need to take the following steps:
- Evaluate what sections of the plan are required for your system. On the division’s monitoring plan website there is the below chart that details the monitoring plan requirements based on the type of system you have. If you are unsure as to your system type you can look on your drinking water monitoring schedule under system details.
- Now you will go to the monitoring plan wizard and select the sections that are required for your system.
- Take the steps to complete your monitoring plan (see above).
- Get in touch with your compliance specialist to ensure that the plan contains all the information that is required for your monitoring plan.
- Submit the new monitoring plan through the drinking water portal.
Why would I need to update my monitoring plan?
There are several changes to a system that could result in a change to your monitoring plan. The below list details some but not all of these changes. Please note: Systems must contact their compliance specialist before making system changes. Changes in infrastructure (construction) or treatment often require design approval:
- Change to operator or administrative contact
- Growth in population
- New customers added to the system
- New sources or sources going off-line
- Sample sites must be reviewed and updated to account for system changes
Resources
- Division’s monitoring plan website
- Monitoring plan wizard
- Monitoring plan wizard videos
- Paper forms
- Drinking water portal
