You are the operator of a community water system located in anywhere New Mexico, anywhere is required to collect a minimum of three compliance samples per month for a Total Coliform analysis. In April one of Anywhere's water system samples reported as Total Coliform positive all repeat samples collected, were reported Total Coliform negative. During May the anywhere water system reported a routine sample as total Coliform positive. One of the May repeat. Samples reported as fecal chloroform positive. Which of the following statements is correct?

• A. This is an acute MCL violation and public notification is required
• B. There is no violation and no notification required
• C. This is a chronic MCL violation
• D. Public notification is not required

Answer: (A)

When a routine sample tests positive for total coliform, you must collect repeat samples and evaluate the results to determine if there’s an MCL violation. If all repeat samples are negative for total coliform, there’s no violation and no notification. But if any repeat sample tests positive for fecal coliform (E. coli), that triggers an acute MCL violation and requires public notification to protect public health.

In this scenario, the May routine sample was positive for total coliform and, importantly, one of the May repeat samples was positive for fecal coliform. That combination indicates an acute MCL violation, and public notification is required. The earlier April case, where the routine was positive but all repeats were negative, would not constitute a violation by itself, but the May result does.