Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR)

EPA adopted the RTCR in February 2013 to better address the public health protection goals of the original 1989 federal Total Coliform Rule (TCR).  Waterworks in Virginia must now comply with this rule, which became effective  April 1, 2016. On November 2, 2016, the Commonwealth of Virginia adopted the RTCR into its Waterworks Regulations. The new provisions  include:

• Defines “seasonal systems” and requires them to have start-up procedures and sampling during high vulnerability periods.
• Requires Level I and Level II Assessments and corrective action if the waterworks identifies a vulnerability to coliform.
• Replaces TCR’s acute MCL with an E. coli MCL.
• Replaces TCR’s total coliform MCL violations with total coliform treatment techniques requirements.
• Revises Public Notice requirements for E. coli MCL violations.
• Adds specific CCR language for waterworks conducting a Level I or Level II Assessment, or for incurring an E. coli MCL violation.

Existing TCR provisions that are retained include:

• Monitoring for total coliforms and E. coli.
• Following a written sample siting plan. This plan ensures samples are collected at locations representative of the entire distribution system. The plans are subject to state review and revisions.

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Reference Guides

• EPA’s Revised Total Coliform Rule: A Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
• EPA’s Revised Total Coliform Rule: A Guide for Small Public Water Systems (PDF)

RTCR Factsheets

• Requirements for Small Waterworks on Quarterly Monitoring (PDF)
• Requirements for Small Waterworks on Monthly Monitoring (PDF)
• Requirements for Seasonal Waterworks (PDF)
• Repeat Monitoring Requirements For Small Waterworks (PDF)
• Level 1 & Level 2 Assessments and Corrective Actions (PDF)