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Revised Total Coliform Rule

unfilled RTCR sample bottle
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Revised Total Coliform Rule

The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that all public water systems (community and noncommunity) provide an adequate supply of safe drinking water to customers and consumers. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is responsible for implementing and managing the SDWA at the state level. One of the regulations is the 1989 Total Coliform Rule (TCR).

On April 1, 2016, the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) went into effect replacing the old regulations. Total coliform bacteria function as indicator organisms. Their presence indicates a potential pathway allowing contamination into the distribution system exists. The RTCR establishes a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for E. coli.

EGLE Water Sampling 101: Total Coliform Sampling Video

EGLE Water Sampling 101: Total Coliform Sampling

This video will cover how to properly collect a bacteriological drinking water sample to meet the compliance requirements of the Revised Total Coliform Rule.

  • RTCR and related rules webinar - This webinar includes an overview of the RTCR and explains its interaction with other rules of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Contact us

For the east side of the state, contact Amanda Carl, Environmental Quality Analyst, at CarlA3@Michigan.gov or by calling 517-282-3161.

For the west side of the state, contact John Karnes, Environmental Quality Analyst, at KarnesJ@Michigan.gov or by calling 517-242-0911.

View the map of counties served.