Water Quality Standards

Water quality samples collected for compliance with this chapter, except chlorine residuals, must be analyzed by a laboratory certified for the contaminant by the Department in accordance with chapter 64E-1, F.A.C., and shall be analyzed using a Department-certified method for analyzing drinking water samples.

Chemical Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs):

• The MCL for Lead is 0.015 mg/L.
• The MCL for Nitrate is 10 mg/L.
• Other MCLs and Health Advisory Levels

Microbiological MCLs:

• A total coliform MCL violation occurs when a total coliform test reveals the presence of total coliform bacteria in any compliance and repeat sample.
• A fecal coliform MCL violation occurs when a fecal coliform or E. coli test reveals the presence of fecal coliform or E. coli in any compliance or repeat sample, provided the repeat test is positive for total coliform bacteria.

The supplier must collect a repeat sample on the first business day following notification that coliform bacteria were present in the previous sample. Failure to provide a repeat sample to the laboratory by the specified deadline will result in use of the previous sample's results as if they were the repeat sample's results. See Bacteria Testing Flow Chart.

Limited Use Public Water System Monitoring Requirements

Initial sampling requirements for newly constructed water systems are found in the Permitting Checklists in Chapter 5. In addition, ongoing routine testing is required as follows:

• Limited Use Community Public Water Systems must submit a satisfactory water quality sample for Lead and Nitrate once every 36 months. Lead samples must be first-draw water sample collected from an indoor tap after the water has been undisturbed in the plumbing for at least six (6) hours.
• Limited Use Commercial Public Water Systems must submit a satisfactory water quality sample for Lead and Nitrate once every 60 months. Lead samples must be first-draw water sample collected from an indoor tap after the water has been undisturbed in the plumbing for at least six (6) hours.
• All Limited Use Public Water Systems (except Registered Systems) must submit one (1) satisfactory bacteriological sample of finished water per calendar quarter. The department may increase the frequency to monthly if the well or water system has a history of intermittent unsatisfactory results. For systems where disinfection treatment is used, a raw source water sample must also be collected on the same day as the finished distribution sample.
• Registered Limited Use Commercial Systems must submit one (1) satisfactory bacteriological sample of finished water per year (no more than 12 months apart).

Additional analysis for other potential contaminants may be required if the well water system well is located in a DEP delineated area or located within 1000 feet of a contaminated well or other known contamination source.

The water system supplier may request Department staff to collect their required compliance samples. The fee is $50 per microbiological sampling visit, $60 per chemical sampling visit, or $70 per combined bacteriological and chemical sampling visit, plus any local fees, laboratory analysis fees, and shipping fees.