According to the SWTR, disinfection residual samples must be collected at the same location as which type of samples?

The correct choice is related to the requirements outlined in the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), which emphasizes the importance of monitoring for coliform bacteria as an indicator of water quality and potential contamination. Coliform samples are crucial for assessing the microbiological safety of drinking water, as coliform bacteria are commonly found in the environment, and their presence can indicate that other potentially harmful microorganisms may be present.

The SWTR mandates that disinfection residual samples, which indicate the presence and concentration of a disinfectant in the water (such as chlorine), should be collected from the same locations where coliform samples are taken. This correlation is important because it ensures that there is a consistent approach to evaluating the effectiveness of disinfection processes and assessing water quality simultaneously. By analyzing disinfectant residuals along with coliform bacteria levels, water treatment facilities can better understand the relationship between disinfection processes and microbiological safety.

In contrast, while chlorine samples may seem related, they are generally not required to be taken from the same locations where coliform samples are collected. Viruses and lead samples serve different purposes in water quality monitoring and have distinct sampling requirements that do not necessitate coinciding locations with coliform samples. Therefore, ensuring that disinfection residuals and coliform samples are