Effective Date: January 17, 2018

ENHANCED TREATMENT FOR CRYPTOSPORIDIUM

5-1.80 Applicability.

(a) The provisions of this section, and sections 5-1.81 through 5-1.83 apply to all public water systems supplied by a surface water source(s) or ground water source(s) directly influenced by surface water, provided the system serves 15 or more service connections or serves 25 or more persons. The requirements in this section for filtered systems apply to any system with a surface water or GWUDI source that is required to provide filtration, regardless of whether the system is currently operating a filtration system. All treatment must comply with the requirements of the Microbial Toolbox Components as described in 40 CFR 141.715 through 40 CFR 141.720. Any unfiltered systems that are in compliance with the filtration avoidance criteria in section 5-1.30(c) of this Subpart, are subject to the requirements in sections 5-1.80 through 5-1.83 pertaining to unfiltered systems. Wholesale system compliance with sections 5-1.81 through 5-1.83 is based on the population of the largest system in the combined distribution system. The above systems shall comply with the following requirements: (a) Systems shall conduct an initial and a second round of source water monitoring for each plant that treats water from a surface water source or ground water source directly influenced by surface water. This monitoring may include Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and turbidity, as described in section 5-1.81(a) through (d) of this Subpart, to determine what level, if any, of additional Cryptosporidium treatment shall be provided. Cryptosporidium monitoring shall be done using an approved method. The following method modifications must also be followed:

(1) Samples must be at least 10 liters (L) or a packed pellet volume of at least 2 milliliters (mL) must be used. If a 10 L sample cannot be processed, as much sample volume as can be filtered by two filters, as described in 40 CFR 141.704(a)(1), must be processed, up to a packed pellet volume of at least 2 mL.

(2) The method-required matrix spike (MS) samples must be spiked and filtered by a laboratory certified for the method.

(3) If the volume of the MS is greater than 10 L, the volume greater than 10 L may be filtered in the field, and the filtered sample may be shipped with the 10 L sample to the laboratory where the 10 L sample is spiked and filtered through the filter that was used to collect the balance of the sample in the field.

(4) Flow cytometer-counted spiking suspensions must be used for MS samples and ongoing precision and recovery samples.

(b) Systems that plan to make a significant change to their disinfection practice shall develop disinfection profiles and calculate disinfection benchmarks, as described in section 5-1.82 of this Subpart.

(c) Filtered systems shall determine their Cryptosporidium treatment bin classification, as described in section 5-1.83(a) of this Subpart, and provide additional treatment for Cryptosporidium, if required, as described in section 5-1.83(b) of this Subpart. All unfiltered systems shall determine their mean Cryptosporidium level and provide treatment for Cryptosporidium as described in section 5-1.83(c) of this Subpart. Systems shall implement Cryptosporidium treatment according to the schedule in section 5-1.83(d) of this Subpart.

5-1.81 Source Water Monitoring Requirements at Systems using Surface Water and Ground Water under the Direct Influence of Surface Water (GWUDI) Sources.

(a) Source Water Monitoring.

(1) Initial round of source water monitoring. Systems shall conduct the following monitoring, based on the monitoring schedule prescribed in paragraph (3) of this subdivision, unless they meet the monitoring exemption criteria in paragraph (4) of this subdivision:

(i) Filtered systems serving at least 10,000 people shall sample their source water for Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and turbidity at least monthly for 24 months.

(ii) Unfiltered systems serving at least 10,000 people shall sample their source water for Cryptosporidium at least monthly for 24 months.

(iii) Filtered systems serving fewer than 10,000 people:

(a) shall sample their source water for E. coli and use an approved method to enumerate the presence of E. coli at least once every two weeks for 12 months;

(b) may avoid E. coli monitoring if the system notifies the State that it will monitor for Cryptosporidium as described in subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph. The system shall notify the state no later than three months prior to the date the system is otherwise required to start E. coli monitoring under paragraph (3) of this subdivision; and

(c) shall sample their source water for Cryptosporidium at least twice per month for 12 months, or at least monthly for 24 months, if, based on monitoring conducted under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, they meet one of the following criteria:

(1) the annual mean E. coli concentration is greater than 10 E. coli/ 100 mL*; or

*Per M. Pan email from 2018-10-29, NYSDOH is using a trigger level of 100 E. coli/100 mL pursuant to 5-1.81(a)(1)(iii)(c)(3) and the USEPA memo.

(2) the system does not conduct E. coli monitoring at least once every two weeks for 12 months.

(3) The State may approve an alternative to the E. coli concentration specified in subdivision (a)(1)(iii)(c)(1) of this section to trigger Cryptosporidium monitoring. This approval by the State will be provided to the system in writing and will include the basis for the State’s determination that the alternative trigger concentration will provide a more accurate identification of whether a system will exceed the Bin 1 Cryptosporidium level specified in section 5-1.83(a)(2) of this Subpart.

(iv) Unfiltered systems serving fewer than 10,000 people shall sample their source water for Cryptosporidium at least twice per month for 12 months or at least monthly for 24 months.

(v) Systems may sample more frequently than required under this section if the sampling frequency is evenly spaced throughout the monitoring period.

(2) Second round of source water monitoring. Systems shall conduct a second round of source water monitoring that meets the requirements for monitoring parameters, frequency, and duration described in paragraph (1) of this subdivision, unless they meet the monitoring exemption criteria in paragraph (4) of this subdivision. Systems shall conduct this monitoring on the schedule in paragraph (3) of this subdivision.

(3) Monitoring schedule. Systems shall comply with the monitoring schedule prescribed in 40 CFR 141.701(c).

(4) Monitoring avoidance.

(i) Filtered systems are not required to conduct source water monitoring under this section if the system will provide a total of at least 5.5-log of treatment for Cryptosporidium, equivalent to meeting the treatment requirements of Bin 4 in section 5-1.83(b) of this Subpart.

(ii) Unfiltered systems are not required to conduct source water monitoring under this section if the system will provide a total of at least 3-log Cryptosporidium inactivation, equivalent to meeting the treatment requirements for unfiltered systems with a mean Cryptosporidium concentration of greater than 0.01 oocysts/L in section 5-1.83(c) of this Subpart.

(iii) If a system chooses to provide the level of treatment in subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this paragraph, as applicable, rather than start source water monitoring, the system shall notify the State in writing no later than the date the system is otherwise required to submit a sampling schedule for monitoring under subdivision (b) of this section. Alternatively, a system may choose to stop sampling at any point after it has initiated monitoring if it notifies the State in writing that it will provide this level of treatment. Systems shall install and operate technologies to provide this level of treatment by the applicable treatment compliance date in section 5-1.83(d) of this Subpart.

(5) Plants operating only part of the year. Systems with surface water sources or ground water sources directly influenced by surface water and with plants that operate for only part of the year shall conduct source water monitoring in accordance with this section and section 5-1.80 of this Subpart, but with the following modifications:

(i) Systems shall sample their source water only during the months that the plant operates unless the State specifies another monitoring period based on plant operating practices.

(ii) Systems with plants that operate less than six months per year and that monitor for Cryptosporidium shall collect at least six Cryptosporidium samples per year during each of two years of monitoring. Samples shall be evenly spaced throughout the period the plant operates.

(6) New sources.

(i) A system that begins using a new source of surface water or ground water directly influenced by surface water after the system is required to begin monitoring under paragraph (3) of this subdivision shall monitor the new source on a schedule approved by the State. Source water monitoring shall meet the requirements of this section. The system also shall meet the bin classification of section 5-1.83(a) and Cryptosporidium treatment requirements of section 5-1.83(b) or 5-1.83(c) of this Subpart, as applicable, for the new source on a schedule approved by the State.

(ii) The requirements of this paragraph also apply to new systems that use surface water or ground water directly influenced by surface water, that begin operation after the monitoring start date applicable to the system’s size under paragraph (3) of this subdivision.

(iii) The system shall begin a second round of source water monitoring no later than six years following initial bin classification or determination of the mean Cryptosporidium level, as applicable.

(b) Sampling Schedules.

(1) Systems required to conduct source water monitoring under this section shall submit a sampling schedule that specifies the calendar dates when the system will collect each required sample. Systems shall submit sampling schedules to the State no later than three months prior to any applicable date referenced in subdivision (a)(3) of this section. If the State does not respond to a system regarding its sampling schedule, the system shall sample at the reported schedule.

(2) Systems shall collect samples within two days before or two days after the dates indicated in their sampling schedule, unless one of the following conditions applies:

(i) If an extreme condition or situation exists that may pose danger to the sample collector, or that cannot be avoided and causes the system to be unable to sample in the scheduled five-day period, the system shall sample as close to the scheduled date as is feasible, unless the State approves an alternate sampling date. The system shall submit an explanation for the delayed sampling date to the State concurrent with the shipment of the sample to the laboratory.

(ii) If a system is unable to report a valid analytical result for a scheduled sampling date due to equipment failure, loss of or damage to the sample, failure to comply with the analytical method requirements, including the quality control requirements in subdivision (d) of this section, or the failure of an approved laboratory to analyze the sample, then the system shall collect a replacement sample. The replacement sample shall be collected no later than 21 days after receiving information that an analytical result cannot be reported for the scheduled date, unless the system demonstrates that collecting a replacement sample within this time frame is not feasible, or the State approves an alternative resampling date. The system shall submit an explanation for the delayed sampling date to the State concurrent with the shipment of the replacement sample to the laboratory.

(3) Systems that fail to meet the criteria of paragraph (2) of this subdivision for any source water sample required under subdivision (a) of this section shall revise their sampling schedules to add dates for collecting all missed samples. Systems shall submit the revised schedule to the State for approval prior to when the system begins collecting the missed samples.

(c) Sampling Locations.

(1) Systems required to conduct source water monitoring under subdivision (a) of this section shall collect samples for each plant that treats a surface water or GWUDI source.

Where multiple plants draw water from the same influent, such as the same pipe or intake, the State may approve one set of monitoring results to be used to satisfy the requirements for all plants.

(2) Systems shall collect source water samples prior to chemical treatment, such as coagulants, oxidants, and disinfectants, unless the State determines that collecting a sample prior to chemical treatment is not feasible for the system and that the chemical treatment is unlikely to have a significant adverse effect on the analysis of the sample.

(3) Systems that recycle filter backwash water shall collect source water samples prior to the point of filter backwash water addition.

(4) Bank filtration.

(i) Systems that receive Cryptosporidium treatment credit for bank filtration, as applicable, shall collect source water samples in the surface water prior to bank filtration.

(ii) Systems that use bank filtration as pretreatment to a filtration plant shall collect source water samples from the well (i.e., after bank filtration). Use of bank filtration during monitoring shall be consistent with routine operational practice. Systems collecting samples after a bank filtration process may not receive treatment credit for the bank filtration.

(5) Multiple sources. Systems with plants that use multiple water sources, including multiple surface water sources and blended surface water and ground water sources, shall collect samples as specified in subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this paragraph. The use of multiple sources during monitoring shall be consistent with routine operational practice.

(i) If a sampling tap is available where the sources are combined prior to treatment, systems shall collect samples from that tap.

(ii) If a sampling tap where the sources are combined prior to treatment is not available, systems shall collect samples at each source near the intake on the same day and select one of the following options for sample analysis;

(a) Systems may composite samples from each source into one sample prior to analysis. The volume of sample from each source shall be weighted according to the proportion of the source in the total plant flow at the time the sample is collected; or

(b) Systems may analyze samples from each source separately and calculate a weighted average of the analysis results for each sampling date. The weighted average shall be calculated by multiplying the analysis result for each source by the fraction the source contributed to total plant flow at the time the sample was collected and then summing these values.

(6) Additional Requirements. Systems shall submit a description of their sampling location(s) to the State at the same time as the sampling schedule. This description shall address the position of the sampling location in relation to the system’s water source(s) and treatment processes, including pretreatment, points of chemical treatment, and filter backwash recycle. If the State does not respond to a system regarding sampling location(s), the system shall sample at the reported location(s).

(d) Reporting source water monitoring results.

(1) Systems shall report results from the source water monitoring no later than 10 days after the end of the first month following the month when the sample is collected.

(2) Systems shall report the following information, as applicable, for the source water monitoring samples required under subdivision (a) of this section.

(i) Systems shall report the following data elements for each Cryptosporidium analysis: PWS ID; facility ID sample collection date sample type (field or matrix spike); sample volume filtered (in liters, to the nearest 0.25 liter); confirmation that 100 percent of filtered volume was examined; and the number of oocysts counted.

(a) For matrix spike samples, systems shall also report the sample volume spiked and estimated number of oocysts spiked. These data are not required for field samples.

(b) For samples in which less than 10 liters are filtered or less than 100 percent of the sample volume is examined, systems shall also report the number of filters used and the packed pellet volume.

(c) For samples in which less than 100 percent of sample volume is examined, systems shall also report the volume of resuspended concentrate and volume of this resuspension processed through immunomagnetic separation.

(ii) Systems shall report the following data elements for each E. coli analysis: PWS ID; facility ID; sample collection date; analytical method number; method type; source type; E. coli/100 mL; and turbidity. Systems serving fewer than 10,000 people that are not required to monitor for turbidity are not required to report turbidity with their E. coli results.

5-1.82 Requirements when making a significant change in disinfection practice.

(a) Following the completion of initial source water monitoring under section 5-1.81(a)(1) of this Subpart, a system that plans to make a significant change to its disinfection practice, as defined in subdivision (b) of this section, shall develop disinfection profiles and calculate disinfection benchmarks for Giardia lamblia and viruses, in accordance with 40 CFR 141.709. Prior to changing the disinfection practice, the system shall notify the State and shall include in this notice the following information:

(1) A completed disinfection profile and disinfection benchmark for Giardia lamblia and viruses prepared as described in 40 CFR 141.709.

(2) A description of the proposed change in disinfection practice.

(3) An analysis of how the proposed change will affect the current level of disinfection.

(b) Significant changes to disinfection practice are defined as follows:

(1) Changes to the point of disinfection;

(2) Changes to the disinfectant(s) used in the treatment;

(3) Changes to the disinfection process; or

(4) Any other modification identified by the State as a significant change to disinfection practice.

5-1.83 Treatment Technique Requirements.

(a) Bin classification for filtered systems.

(1) Following completion of the initial round of source water monitoring under section 5-1.81(a)(1) of this Subpart, filtered systems shall calculate an initial Cryptosporidium bin concentration for each plant for which monitoring was required, such calculation shall be done in accordance with 40 CFR 141.710(b)(1) through 40 CFR 141.710(b)(5). Calculation of the bin concentration shall use the Cryptosporidium results reported under section 5-1.81 of this Subpart.

(2) Filtered systems shall determine their initial bin classification from the following table and using the Cryptosporidium bin concentration calculated under paragraph (1) of this subdivision:

BIN CLASSIFICATION TABLE FOR FILTERED SYSTEMS

System Characteristic

Cryptosporidium Concentration1

Bin Classification

Required to monitor for Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium < 0.075 oocyst/L

Bin 1

0.075 oocysts/L ≤ Cryptosporidium < 1.0 oocyst/L

Bin 2

1.0 oocyst/L ≤ Cryptosporidium < 3.0 oocysts/L

Bin 3

Cryptosporidium ≥ 3.0 oocysts/L

Bin 4

Serving fewer than 10,000 people and NOT required to monitor for Cryptosporidium

Not Applicable

Bin 1

1Based on calculations in paragraph (1) or (4) of this subdivision, as applicable.

(3) Following completion of the second round of source water monitoring required under section 5-1.81(a)(2) of this Subpart, filtered systems shall recalculate their Cryptosporidium bin concentration using the Cryptosporidium results reported under section 5-1.81(a)(2) of this Subpart, and following the procedures in 40 CFR 141.710(b)(1) through 40 CFR 141.710(b)(4). Systems shall then reevaluate their bin classification using the bin concentration from the second round of monitoring and the table in paragraph (2) of this subdivision.

(4)

(i) Filtered systems shall report their initial bin classification under paragraph (2) of this subdivision to the State for approval no later than six months after the system is required to complete initial source water monitoring based on the schedule referenced in section 5-1.81(a)(3) of this Subpart.

(ii) Systems shall report their bin classification under paragraph (3) of this subdivision to the State for approval no later than six months after the system is required to complete the second round of source water monitoring based on the schedule referenced in section 5-1.81(a)(3) of this Subpart.

(iii) The bin classification report to the State shall include a summary of source water monitoring data and the calculation procedure used to determine bin classification.

(b) Filtered system additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements.

(1) Filtered systems shall provide the level of additional treatment for Cryptosporidium specified in this paragraph based on their bin classification as determined under subdivision (a) of this section and according to the schedule in subdivision (d) of this section.

System Classification

If the system uses the following filtration treatment in full compliance with section 5-1.30(b) of this Subpart (as applicable), then the additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements are:

Conventional Filtration Treatment (including softening)

Direct Filtration

Slow Sand or Diatomaceous Earth Filtration

Alternative Filtration Technologies

Bin 1

No additional

No additional

No additional

No additional

Bin 2

1-log

1.5-log

1-log

(1)

Bin 3

2-log

2.5-log

2-log

(2)

Bin 4

2.5-log

3-log

2.5-log

(3)

1As determined by the State such that the total Cryptosporidium removal and inactivation is at least 4.0-log.

2As determined by the State such that the total Cryptosporidium removal and inactivation is at least 5.0-log.

3As determined by the State such that the total Cryptosporidium removal and inactivation is at least 5.5-log.

(2)

(i) Filtered systems shall use one or more of the treatment and management options, as approved by the State, to comply with the additional Cryptosporidium treatment required in paragraph (1) of this subdivision.

(ii) Systems classified in Bin 3 and Bin 4 shall achieve at least 1-log of the additional Cryptosporidium treatment required under paragraph (1) of this subdivision using either one or a combination of the following, as approved by the State: bag filters, bank filtration, cartridge filters, chlorine dioxide, membranes, ozone, or UV.

(3) Failure by a system in any month to achieve treatment credit at least equal to the level of treatment required in paragraph (1) of this subdivision is a violation of the treatment technique requirement.

(4) If the State determines during a sanitary survey or an equivalent source water assessment that, after a system completed the monitoring conducted under section 5-1.81(a)(1) or (2) of this Subpart, significant changes occurred in the system’s watershed that could lead to increased contamination of the source water by Cryptosporidium, the system shall take actions specified by the State to address the contamination.

(c) Unfiltered system Cryptosporidium treatment requirements.

(1) Determination of mean Cryptosporidium level.

(i) Following completion of the initial source water monitoring required under section 5-1.81(a)(1) of this Subpart, unfiltered systems shall calculate the arithmetic mean of all Cryptosporidium sample concentrations reported for such monitoring. Systems shall report this value to the State for approval no later than six months after the month the system is required to complete initial source water monitoring based on the schedule referenced in section 5-1.81(a)(3) of this Subpart.

(ii) Following completion of the second round of source water monitoring required under section 5-1.81(a)(2) of this Subpart, unfiltered systems shall calculate the arithmetic mean of all Cryptosporidium sample concentrations reported under that monitoring. Systems shall report this value to the State for approval no later than six months after the month the system is required to complete the second round of source water monitoring based on the schedule referenced in section 5-1.81(a)(3) of this Subpart.

(iii) If the monthly Cryptosporidium sampling frequency varies, systems shall first calculate a monthly average for each month of monitoring. Systems shall then use these monthly average concentrations, rather than individual sample concentrations, in the calculation of the mean Cryptosporidium level in subparagraphs (i) or (ii) of this paragraph.

(iv) The report to the State of the mean Cryptosporidium levels calculated under subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph shall include a summary of the source water monitoring data used for the calculation.

(2) Cryptosporidium inactivation requirements. Unfiltered systems shall provide the level of inactivation for Cryptosporidium specified in this paragraph, based on their mean Cryptosporidium levels as determined under paragraph (1) of this subdivision and according to the schedule in subdivision (d) of this section.

(i) Unfiltered systems with a mean Cryptosporidium level of 0.01 oocysts/L or less shall provide at least 2-log Cryptosporidium inactivation.

(ii) Unfiltered systems with a mean Cryptosporidium level of greater than 0.01 oocysts/L shall provide at least 3-log Cryptosporidium inactivation.

(3) Inactivation treatment technology requirements. Unfiltered systems shall use chlorine dioxide, ozone, or UV to meet the Cryptosporidium inactivation requirements of this section.

(4) Use of two disinfectants. Unfiltered systems shall meet the combined Cryptosporidium inactivation requirements of this section and Giardia lamblia and virus inactivation requirements of section 5-1.30(c)(3) of this Subpart using a minimum of two disinfectants, and each of two disinfectants must separately achieve the total inactivation required for either Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, or viruses. Systems that fail to install a second disinfectant to treat for Cryptosporidium are in violation of the treatment technique requirement.

(d) Schedule for compliance with Cryptosporidium treatment requirements.

(1) Following initial bin classification under subdivision (a) of this section, filtered systems shall provide the level of treatment for Cryptosporidium required under subdivision (b) of this section, on a schedule approved by the State.

(2) Following initial determination of the mean Cryptosporidium level under subdivision (c)(1)(i) of this section, unfiltered systems shall provide the level of treatment for Cryptosporidium required under subdivision (c).

(3) If the bin classification for a filtered system changes following the second round of source water monitoring, as determined under subdivision (a)(3) of this section, the system shall provide the level of treatment for Cryptosporidium required under subdivision (b) of this section on a schedule approved by the State.

(4) If the mean Cryptosporidium level for an unfiltered system changes following the second round of monitoring, as determined under subdivision (c)(1)(ii) of this section, and if the system shall provide a different level of Cryptosporidium treatment under subdivision (c) of this section due to this change, the system shall meet this treatment requirement on a schedule approved by the State.