ICR survival guide

In August 1994, in a cooperative, nonregulatory effort, a pre-Information Collection Rule (ICR) testing program was initiated by Utah Division of Drinking Water, Utah Department of Health Laboratory, and the five largest water utilities in Utah. As part of a larger water quality enhancement program, the participating utilities conducted quarterly analyses under the ICR protocol for 18 months. Samples were collected from 10 plants and analyzed according to proposed ICR protocols for general water quality, microbial contaminants, and disinfection by-products. Two utilities and the Utah Division of Drinking Water participated in the alpha and beta testing of the ICR utility software, and the ICR laboratory software was tested at the Utah Department of Health Laboratory. The experience gained in this effort in determining the time, effort, and resources necessary for sampling, testing, and reporting and in finding practical solutions to potential problems should help utilities across the country prepare for the ICR.