TM 5-813-3/AFM 88-10, Vol 3
A-3. Drinking water standards.
a. Interpretation. It is the responsibility of the Sur-
geons General of the Army and Air Force to interpret
drinking water standards established by the USEPA.
b. Bacteriological standards. These standards are
based upon bacteriological tests for oganisms of the
coliform group of bacteria, as specified by the EPA.
(1) Membrane filter technique. When the mem-
brane filter technique is used, the number of coliform
bacteria will not exceed any of the following:
(a) One per 100 mm as the arithmetic mean of
all samples examined per month; or
(b) Four per 100 mm in more than one sample
b. Fluoride. Normally, conventional treatment has
when less than 20 are examined per month; or
little effect on high fluoride concentrations. Therefore,
(c) Four per 100 mm in more than 5 percent of
the criterion for the fluoride concentration in a raw
the samples when 20 or more are examined per month.
water supply is practically identical to that for drink-
(2) Fermentation tube method10 mL portions.
ing water. The drinking water criteria is given in Table
When the fermentation tube method using five 10 mL
A-2.
portions per sample is employed, coliform bacteria will
c. Radioactivity. Table A-3 contains the recom-
not be present in any of the following:
mended criteria for maximum concentrations of radio-
(a) More than 10 percent of the 10 mL portions
active substances in raw water supplies. Gross alpha
examined in any month; or
radioactivity limits are based on maximum allowable
(b) Three or more portions in more than one
concentrations of radium-226 (the alpha emitter with
sample when less than 20 samples are examined per
the most critical intake limit).
month; or
(c) Three or more portions in more than 5 per-
Table A-2. Maximum contaminant levels for fluoride.
cent of the samples when 20 or more samples are
Max. contaminant
Annual avg. of max. daily
examined per month.
levels for fluoride
air temp. at system location
(3) Fermentation tube method100 mL portions.
When the fermentation tube method using five 100
2.4
mL portions per sample is employed, coliform bacteria
2.2
2.0
shall not be present in any of the following:
1.8
(a) More than 60 percent of the 100 mL portions
1.6
examined in any month; or
1.4
(b) Five portions in more than one sample when
less than five samples are examined per month; or
(c) Five portions in more than 20 percent of the
samples when five or more samples are examined per
month.
(4) Bacteriological samples. The standards also
specify the minimum number of samples that must be
examined each month. This is based upon the popula-
tion served and ranges from one sample per month for
a population of 1,000 or less up to 500 per month for
A-2
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