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Clean Water Act Analytical Methods

Approved CWA Microbiological Test Methods

Photos of viruses and sample preparationThe analytical methods promulgated under Clean Water Act Section 304(h) are sometimes referred to as the "304(h)" or "Part 136" methods. The methods measure chemical and biological pollutants in media, such as wastewater, ambient water, sediment, and biosolids (sewage sludge). These various CWA methods are tested in a variety of labs and matrices.
 
In addition to Part 136 methods, some approved industry-specific methods are published or incorporated by reference at 40 CFR Parts 401 through 503.
 
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Approved Methods Listed by Method Number

 

Microbiological Pollutants in Wastewater and Sewage Sludge

Number Method Title
1600 Enterococci in Water by Membrane Filtration Using membrane-Enterococcus Indoxyl-β-D-Glucoside Agar (mEI)
1603 Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Water by Membrane Filtration Using Modified membrane-Thermotolerant Escherichia coli Agar (Modified mTEC)
1680 Fecal Coliforms in Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) by Multiple-Tube Fermentation using Lauryl Tryptose Broth (LTB) and EC Medium
1681 Fecal Coliforms in Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) by Multiple-Tube Fermentation using A-1 medium
1682 Salmonella in Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) by Modified Semisolid Rappaport- Vassiliadis (MSRV) Medium

Microbiological Pollutants in Ambient Water

Number Method Title
1103.1 Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Water by Membrane Filtration Using membrane-Thermotolerant Escherichia coli Agar (mTEC)
1106.1 Enterococci in Water by Membrane Filtration Using membrane- Enterococcus-Esculin Iron Agar (mE-EIA)
1600 Enterococci in Water by Membrane Filtration Using membrane-Enterococcus Indoxyl-β-D-Glucoside Agar (mEI)
1603 Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Water by Membrane Filtration Using Modified membrane-Thermotolerant Escherichia coli Agar (Modified mTEC)
1604 Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli in Water by Membrane Filtration Using a Simultaneous Detection Technique (MI Medium)
1622 Cryptosporidium in Water by Filtration/Immunomagnetic Separation/Immunofluorescence Assay Microscopy
1623 Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Water by Filtration/IMS/FA

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Approved Methods Listed by Analyte

The lists of approved methods at 40 CFR 136.3, with footnotes, are provided here as a reference. To download specific method publications, refer to the tables above.
 

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