{"data":{"id":"us-va/12vac5-590-340","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"12VAC5-590-340","heading":"Compliance standards","body":"A. All physical, chemical, bacteriological, or radiological analyses for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with the requirements of this chapter shall be performed by   laboratories  that have received certification by EPA or DCLS as specified  in 12VAC5-590-440. The owner is responsible for the collection and submission of all samples. The department may require sampling and testing that exceeds the minimal requirements specified in this chapter. A sample is deemed to have been collected only when its results are made known to the department.\n\nB. Specific limits. No attempt has been made to prescribe specific limits for every contaminant that might occur in a water supply or a waterworks. Although the need exists for continued attention to the entry of chemical, physical, bacteriological, and radiological substances into drinking water, the limits are confined to substances recognized as being detrimental to the health or well-being of the consumer or that cause significant degradation of the usefulness of the water. Limits for innumerable substances would require an impossible burden of analytical examination. The specific limits included in this chapter are listed in Tables 340.1 through 340.7.\n\nC. Compliance is determined:\n\n1. Based on sample results or calculated averages, where appropriate, rounded to the same number of significant figures as the PMCL, SMCL, AL, or MRDL of the contaminant in question, or\n\n2. By the application of the specific treatment technique for particular contaminants (see 12VAC5-590-391).\n\nTABLE 340.1\n\nInorganic Chemicals\n\nSUBSTANCE\n\nPMCL (mg/L)\n\nAntimony\n\n0.006\n\nArsenic\n\n0.010a\n\nAsbestos\n\n7 million fibers/liter (longer than 10 µm)\n\nBarium\n\n2\n\nBeryllium\n\n0.004\n\nCadmium\n\n0.005\n\nChromium\n\n0.1\n\nCyanide (as free Cyanide)\n\n0.2\n\nFluoride\n\n4.0b\n\nMercury\n\n0.002\n\nNickel\n\nNo limits designated\n\nNitrate (as N)\n\n10c\n\nNitrite (as N)\n\n1.0c\n\nTotal Nitrate and Nitrite (as N)\n\n10c\n\nSelenium\n\n0.05\n\nThallium\n\n0.002\n\nSUBSTANCE\n\nSECONDARY MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (mg/L)\n\nAluminum\n\n0.05-0.2d\n\nChloride\n\n250c\n\nCopper\n\n1.0\n\nCorrosivity\n\nNoncorrosive\n\nFluoride\n\n2.0\n\nFoaming agents\n\n0.5e\n\nIron\n\n0.3\n\nManganese\n\n0.05\n\nSilver\n\n0.1\n\nSodium\n\nNo limits designatedf\n\nSulfate\n\n250c\n\nZinc\n\n5\n\nSUBSTANCE\n\nACTION LEVEL (mg/L)\n\nLead\n\n0.015\n\nCopper\n\n1.3\n\naArsenic sampling results shall be reported to the nearest 0.001 mg/L.\n\nbThe fluoride PMCL applies only to community waterworks.\n\ncSignificant figures are noted as shown. For values with trailing zeros, significant figures are noted as shown. The limits for nitrate and nitrate-nitrite have two significant figures. The limits for chloride and sulfate have three significant figures.\n\ndVarying water quality and treatment situations necessitates a flexible range for the aluminum SMCL. The owner is encouraged to maintain an aluminum concentration as low as possible. If the aluminum concentration in the finished water causes discoloration, then the owner is urged to contact the department.\n\neConcentrations reported in terms of Methylene Blue Active Substances.\n\nfMonitoring and reporting in accordance with 40 CFR 141. 41 and 12VAC5-590-372 D 6.\n\nTABLE 340.2\n\nOrganic Chemicals\n\nSUBSTANCE\n\nPMCL (mg/L)\n\nVOC\n\nBenzene\n\n0.005\n\nCarbon tetrachloride\n\n0.005\n\nChlorobenzene (also called Monochlorobenzene)\n\n0.1\n\no-Dichlorobenzene\n\n0.6\n\np-Dichlorobenzene\n\n0.075\n\n1,2-Dichloroethane (also called Ethylene dichloride)\n\n0.005\n\n1,1-Dichloroethylene (also called Dichloroethene)\n\n0.007\n\ncis-1,2-Dichloroethylene\n\n0.07\n\nTrans-1,2-Dichloroethylene\n\n0.1\n\nDichloromethane (also called Methylene chloride)\n\n0.005\n\n1,2-Dichloropropane\n\n0.005\n\nEthylbenzene\n\n0.7\n\nStyrene\n\n0.1\n\nTetrachloroethylene (PCE) (also called Perchloroethylene)\n\n0.005\n\nToluene\n\n1\n\n1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene\n\n0.07\n\n1,1,1-Trichloroethane\n\n0.2\n\n1,1,2-Trichloroethane\n\n0.005\n\nTrichloroethylene (TCE)\n\n0.005\n\nVinyl Chloride\n\n0.002\n\nXylene (total)\n\n10a\n\nSOC\n\nAcrylamide\n\nTTb\n\nAlachlor (also called Lasso)\n\n0.002\n\nAtrazine\n\n0.003\n\nBenzo(a)pyrene\n\n0.0002\n\nCarbofuran\n\n0.04\n\nChlordane\n\n0.002\n\nDalapon\n\n0.2\n\nDi(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (also called Bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate)\n\n0.4\n\nDi(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (also called Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate)\n\n0.006\n\n1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)\n\n0.0002\n\n2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D)\n\n0.07\n\nDinoseb\n\n0.007\n\nDiquat\n\n0.02\n\nEndothall\n\n0.1\n\nEndrin\n\n0.002\n\nEpichlorohydrin\n\nTTb\n\nEthylene dibromide (EDB) (also called 1,2-Dibromoethane)\n\n0.00005\n\nGlyphosate\n\n0.7\n\nHeptachlor\n\n0.0004\n\nHeptachlor epoxide\n\n0.0002\n\nHexachlorobenzene\n\n0.001\n\nHexachlorocyclopentadiene\n\n0.05\n\nLindane (also called gamma-HCH and gamma BHC)\n\n0.0002\n\nMethoxychlor\n\n0.04\n\nOxamyl (Vydate)\n\n0.2\n\nPentachlorophenol (PCP)\n\n0.001\n\nPicloram\n\n0.5\n\nPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)\n\n0.0005\n\nSimazine\n\n0.004\n\n2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin)\n\n3 X 10-8\n\nToxaphene\n\n0.003\n\n2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxypropionic Acid (2,4,5-TP or Silvex)\n\n0.05\n\naThe limit for xylene has two significant figures.\n\nbEach waterworks must certify annually to the department that when acrylamide and epichlorohydrin are used to treat water, the combination (or product) of dose and monomer level does not exceed the levels specified as follows: (i) acrylamide = 0.05% dosed at 1 mg/L (or equivalent) and (ii) epichlorohydrin = 0.01% dosed at 20 mg/L (or equivalent). The certification shall be in writing, using third-party certification approved by the department or the manufacturer's certification.\n\nTABLE 340.3\n\nPhysical Quality\n\nPARAMETER\n\nSTANDARD\n\nCONCENTRATION\n\nColor\n\nSMCL\n\n15 Color Units (CU)\n\nOdor\n\nSMCL\n\n3 Threshold odor numbers\n\npH\n\nSMCL\n\n6.5-8.5\n\nTotal dissolved solids (TDS)\n\nSMCL\n\n500 mg/La\n\nTurbidity\n\nTreatment Technique\n\nSee 12VAC5-590-395 A 2 bb\n\naTDS has three significant figures.\n\nbOperational goal: Surface water treatment plants with gravity flow granular media filters are capable of producing filtered water with a turbidity consistently less than 0.10 NTU. Therefore, for water treatment plants, the operational goal for filter effluent turbidity for each filter, before any post-filtration chemical addition, is 0.10 NTU.\n\nTABLE 340.4\n\nRadiological Quality\n\nPARAMETER\n\nPMCL\n\nCombined radium-226 and radium-228.\n\n5 pCi/L\n\nGross alpha particle activity (excluding Radon and Uranium)\n\n15 pCi/L\n\nBeta particle and photon radioactivity.\n\n4 mrem/yr a, b\n\nUranium\n\n30 µg/Lc\n\naThe average annual concentration of beta particle and photon radioactivity from man-made radionuclides in drinking water shall not produce an annual dose equivalent to the total body or any internal organ greater than 4 mrem/year.\n\nbExcept for the radionuclides listed in Schedule I, the concentration of man-made radionuclides causing 4 mrem total body or organ dose equivalents shall be calculated on the basis of a 2 liter per day drinking water intake using the 168-hour data listed in \"Maximum Permissible Body Burdens and Maximum Permissible Concentrations of Radionuclides in Air and in Water for Occupational Exposure,\" NBS Handbook 69 issued June 5, 1959, and amended August 1963, U.S. Department of Commerce. If two or more radionuclides are present, the sum of their annual dose equivalent to the total body or to any organ shall not exceed 4 mrem/year.\n\ncThe limit for uranium has two significant figures.\n\nSchedule 1\n\nAverage annual concentrations assumed to produce a total body organ dose of 4 mrem/year.\n\nRADIONUCLIDE\n\nCRITICAL ORGAN\n\npCi/L\n\nTritium\n\nTotal Body\n\n20,000d\n\nStrontium-90\n\nBone Marrow\n\n8\n\ndThe limit for tritium has five significant figures.\n\nTABLE 340.5\n\nMicrobial Contaminants\n\nCONTAMINANT\n\nPMCL or TT\n\nCryptosporidium\n\nTT\n\nMinimum 99% (2-log) removal plus additional log removal or inactivation based upon bin classification in 12VAC5-590-401 D.\n\nGiardia lamblia\n\nTT\n\n99.9% (3-log) removal or inactivation.\n\nViruses\n\nTT\n\n99.99% (4-log) removal or inactivation\n\nLegionella\n\nTT\n\nNo limit, but if Giardia lamblia and viruses are removed or inactivated, according to the treatment techniques in 12VAC5-590-395, Legionella will also be controlled.\n\nHeterotrophic plate count (HPC)\n\nTT\n\nNo more than 500 bacterial colonies per milliliter. (HPC is not a contaminant, it is an analytic method used to measure a variety of bacteria found in water.)\n\nEscherichia coli (E. coli)\n\nPMCL\n\n(1) Any E. coli-positive repeat sample following a total coliform-positive routine sample.\n\n(2) Total coliform-positive repeat sample following an E. coli-positive routine sample.\n\n(3) Failure to collect all require repeat samples following an E. coli-positive routine sample.\n\n(4) Failure to test for E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for total coliform.\n\nTABLE 340.6\n\nDisinfection Byproducts\n\nPARAMETER\n\nPMCL (mg/L)\n\nTTHM\n\nBromodichloromethane\n\nBromoform\n\nChloroform\n\nDibromochloromethane\n\n0.080a\n\nHAA5\n\nBromoacetic acid\n\nDibromoacetic acid\n\nDichloroacetic acid\n\nMonochloroacetic acid\n\nTrichloroacetic acid\n\n0.060a\n\nBromate\n\n0.010a\n\nChlorite\n\n1.0a\n\naThe limits for TTHM, HAA5, and bromate have three significant figures. The limit for chlorite has two significant figures.\n\nTABLE 340.7\n\nMaximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goals (MRDLG) and Maximum Residual Disinfectant Levels (MRDL) for Disinfectants\n\nRESIDUAL DISINFECTANT\n\nMRDLG and MRDL (mg/L)\n\nChlorine\n\n4.0 (as Cl2)a\n\nChloramines\n\n4.0 (as Cl2)a\n\nChlorine Dioxide\n\n0.8 (as ClO2)\n\naChlorine and chloramines have two significant figures.\n\nD. Notwithstanding the MRDLs in Table 340.7, an owner may increase the residual disinfectant level of chlorine or chloramines (but not chlorine dioxide) in the distribution system to a level and for a time necessary to protect public health. This may include specific microbiological contamination problems caused by circumstances such as distribution line breaks, storm runoff events, water supply contamination events, or cross-connection events.","path":["Title 12. Health","Agency 5. Department of Health","Chapter 590. Waterworks Regulations","Part II. Operation Regulations for Waterworks","Article 1. General [Repealed]"],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter590/section340/","current_through":"2026 Regular Session (effective July 1, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T04:50:40Z","sha256":"17552c77beff729d04496eb89f71f4913906b9141ddee0a2e54a22457235cbba","source_id":"us-va-vac","stale":false,"prev":"us-va/12vac5-590-330","next":"us-va/12vac5-590-350"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}