According to U.S EPA Drinking Water Regulations, how many bacterial tests should a city of 1,000,000 conduct per month?

In accordance with U.S. EPA Drinking Water Regulations, cities serving populations of 100,000 or more are required to conduct routine testing for coliform bacteria in their drinking water. For a city with a population of 1,000,000, the regulation stipulates that a minimum of 300 samples should be collected and analyzed for bacterial contamination each month. This rigorous testing regimen is vital for ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water, allowing for the early detection of any bacterial presence that could pose health risks to the community.

The necessity for such extensive testing is rooted in the need to consistently monitor water quality, as the detection of harmful bacteria can prompt immediate corrective actions to protect public health. Thus, the figure of 300 tests per month reflects the EPA's commitment to maintaining safe drinking water standards for larger municipalities.