CA STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD ELAP REQUIREMENTS

This page offers information needed by individuals taking part in the sampling process and/or the process of transporting samples. Extra sampling containers will need to be filled. Time and temperature constraints exist for some water samples.

“Holding-time” is defined by the duration of time it takes from sampling of the water, to completing the initial analysis at the testing lab. This is the total time it takes to sample, transport, receive in the lab, and analyze. Included with each type of water is the appropriate holding time. Please plan ahead so that we have enough time to process the samples. All regulated samples must be completed within 2-hours of receipt at the laboratory, so PLEASE CALL IN ADVANCE.

Holding-time for DW is 30 hours to accommodate mail-ins.
Treated drinking water samples must have temperature and chlorine (free) levels recorded at the time of sampling. Samples that take one hour or longer to be received at the lab (after sampling) must be chilled to <10°C. Temperature on receipt for these samples must be <10°C.
Although all drinking water should be absent of coliform bacteria, only distribution system water (not bottled, packaged, or machine purified) should contain some level of free chlorine. Drinking waters should also have < 500 CFU/ml of heterotrophic bacteria at the source or system supply.
Bottled or packaged waters are not bound by holding-time constraints and do not need to contain chlorine, but should be tested for Coliforms, HPC, and Total Dissolved Solids on a regular basis.
Holding-time for recreational water is 8 hours.
Beach water is considered Recreational water, and should be monitored for bacteria levels.  Specifically,   coliforms,    E. coli,  and  enterococcus (fecal streptococci) have limits that are cited by EPA code AB 411, and are as follows;
Coliforms: 10,000 /100mlE. coli: 400 /100ml Enterococcus: 104 /100ml
Holding-time for wastewater is 6 hours.