so part of my job as a water operator is to take monthly bacteria samples for my accounts. i have 43. that means about 40 odd stops a month collecting samples. lots of running around and time on the road. i also have a couple of accounts of which i only take samples quarterly.
the quarters are broken down into 3 months at a time for a total of four. jan-march in the first quarter, april-jun 2nd, july-sept 3rd, oct-dec 4 quarter. with the quarterly samples, i like to take them in the second month of each quarter. makes it easier to keep track of.
if a routine bacteria sample that is taken, comes back positive for bacteria, a repeat sample has to be taken within 24 hours of a positive hit. now, if its a sample from the raw water only that comes back positive for bacteria but absent of e coli, then a repeat is not required. if another sample site comes back positive for bacteria but absent e coli , a repeat has to be taken along with others to determine if the issue is upstream or downstream. if e coli is present in ANY sample, then its an emergency. i have put up do not drink notices.
if a repeat sample comes back positive, then i have to do whats called a level 1 assessment to determine the issue.
thats where i find myself today. i have to fill out a form and take what is called "corrective action" on how im planning to address and fix the issue(s) hence these forms right here. very simple 3 page form. thankfully this is it. i will talk about a level 2 assessment in the future if one inevitably happens to one account
this is one of the tedious parts of my job. i dont mind it really but sometimes these things can be a pain to fill out.
