The initial monitoring year is defined as the calendar year designated by the Department within a compliance period in which a public water system conducts initial monitoring at a point of entry. Which element best describes this year?

• A. The calendar year designated by the Department within a compliance period in which a public water system conducts initial monitoring at a point of entry.
• B. The calendar year in which the system begins operation.
• C. The calendar year immediately following the compliance period.
• D. A year chosen by the system for its monitoring.

Answer: (A)

The initial monitoring year is the calendar year that the Department designates within a given compliance period during which a public water system must perform its first required monitoring at a point of entry. This designation is set by the regulatory authority to ensure all systems within the same period monitor in the same timeframe, promoting consistent data and reporting. It is not simply the year the system begins operation, nor the year after the compliance period, nor a year chosen by the system itself. For example, if a compliance period runs from 2020 to 2024, the Department might designate 2022 as the initial monitoring year, and monitoring at a POE would occur in that year.