Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems

The Standardized Monitoring Framework: A Quick Reference Guide

The purpose of the Standardized Monitoring Framework (SMF),  promulgated in the Phase II Rule on January 30, 1991 (56 FR 3526), is to standardize, simplify, and consolidate monitoring requirements across contaminant groups. The SMF reduces the variability within monitoring requirements for chemical and radiological contaminants across system sizes and types. It also increases public health protection by simplifying monitoring plans and synchronizing monitoring schedules.

The SMF Quick Reference Guide summarizes the federal drinking water requirements and ongoing monitoring frequencies for existing systems. Note that primacy agencies with an EPA-approved waiver program have the flexibility to issue waivers, which take into account regional and state specific characteristics and concerns. To determine exact monitoring frequencies, this Quick Reference Guide must be used in conjunction with any EPA-approved waiver program and/or additional requirements as determined by the primacy agency.

  • The Standardized Monitoring Framework: A Quick Reference Guide (pdf) (278.29 KB, May 2020, EPA 816-F-20-002)
    A quick reference guide to understanding the Standardized Monitoring Framework.

Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems

  • Drinking Water Rules
  • Water Supply Guidance
  • Training
  • Learn about Water Systems
  • State Resources
  • Water System Resources
Contact us About Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on June 18, 2024
  • Assistance
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions
  • Site Feedback

Follow.