The impact of a skilled drinking water operator can make an enormous difference - especially when it comes to protecting public health. Recently, a contract operator for a campground collected a routine total coliform sample at a campground hand pump. The sample tested positive for total coliforms. Certified labs must promptly notify the department of any positive sample. This helps the department and the system assess the situation. This also helps ensure that the follow-up testing is conducted properly. While the lab did not notify the department, the operator contacted the department immediately. As a result, the system was able to collect the required total coliform repeats and source water samples appropriately.
Additionally, the lab did not notify the department when one of the repeat samples tested positive. Again, since the operator was “on top” of the situation, they immediately notified the department. The operator was also able to pull the handle from the hand pump so no one would drink the water while they investigated the cause of the positive samples. The operator did everything right! They notified the department of the positive total coliform samples, conducted the required repeat monitoring, and protected public health by removing the hand pump handle. Overall, this example demonstrates how operators can make a positive impact in protecting public health. The department is also working with the lab to ensure they report any total coliform samples in a timely manner.
If your system has a positive total coliform or E. coli sample, please call our reporting line at 303-692-3308 to ensure it was reported correctly. If you have to report a positive E. coli sample after hours, please call our emergency reporting line at 1-877-518-5608.
