Section 18.80.350. Variance for sample holding time for coliform bacteria samples taken in certain remote sites.

	(a)  Instead of complying with the 30-hour maximum holding time for a coliform bacteria sample set in EPA's Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water, Criteria and Procedures Quality Assurance, adopted by reference in 18 AAC 80.010(b), the owner or operator of a public water system at a remote site shall ensure that coliform bacteria samples, collected as required by this chapter, are delivered to and analyzed by a certified laboratory within 48 hours after collection.  
	(b)  A laboratory subject to this chapter may not accept for analysis a sample that has been held longer than the maximum holding times established in (a) of this section or in EPA's Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water, Criteria and Procedures Quality Assurance adopted by reference in 18 AAC 80.010(b).  
	(c)  For purposes of (a) of this section, the department will determine a site to be remote based on an assessment of factors that prevent the delivery of samples to and the analysis of those samples by a certified laboratory within 30 hours after collection. Those factors include the  
		(1) distance from the public water system to the nearest certified laboratory;  
		(2) absence of a road connection between the public water system and a certified laboratory;  
		(3) absence of regularly scheduled aircraft flights between the public water system and a certified laboratory; and  
		(4) weather conditions that may interfere with shipment of samples to a certified laboratory.  

Authorities

46.03.020;46.03.050;46.03.710;46.03.720

Notes

Reference

18 AAC 80.340
18 AAC 80.405
18 AAC 80.660

Authority

AS 46.03.020 AS 46.03.050 AS 46.03.710 AS 46.03.720

History

Eff. 10/1/99, Register 151; am 3/25/2001, Register 157; am 5/20/2011, Register 198