Learn about the EPA-approved analytical methods that laboratories and water systems must use when analyzing samples to meet federal monitoring requirements or to demonstrate compliance with federal water regulations.
EPA has legal authority to establish test procedures and methods to measure pollutants in Clean Water Act programs. For biosolids, Clean Water Act methods are used by industries and municipalities to analyze the chemical, physical and biological components of wastewater and other environmental samples, including sewage sludge / biosolids, that are required under Clean Water Act ("CWA" or the "Act"). Most methods are published as regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at Title 40 Part 136; other CWA Methods of Interest that are not currently approved for use at 40 CFR 136 are provided.
- EPA's legal authority to establish test procedures to measure pollutants in Clean Water Act programs
- Title 40 Part 136
- Clean Water Act Analytical Methods
- Other CWA Methods of Interest not Currently Approved for use at 40 CFR 136 [Biosolids Methods included]
- Microbial Measurements with Analytical Methods for Biological Pollutants in Wastewater and Sewage Sludge
The following documents include EPA analytical methods for biological and other pollutants in wastewater and sewage sludge.
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.- EPA Method 1680 Fecal Coliforms (PDF)(50 pp, 166 K, April 2010, EPA-821-R-10-003)
- EPA Method 1681 Fecal Coliforms (PDF)(51 pp, 248 K, July 2006, EPA-821-R-06-013)
- EPA Method 1682 Salmonella (PDF)(48 pp, 291 K, July 2006, EPA-821-R-06-14)
- Effects of Holding Time on Fecal Coliforms and Salmonella Concentration in Biosoldis (PDF)(56 pp, 370 K, August 2006, EPA-821-R-07-003)
- EPA Method 1684 Volatile Solids (PDF)(16 pp, 42 K, January 2001, EPA-821-R-01-015)