经过数月的准备，监测即将根据信息收集规则（ICR）开始，这是有史以来最广泛的数据收集工作。本月，受ICR影响的298家水务公司中的每一家都将获得美国环境保护局（USEPA）对其采样计划的正式批准。公用事业必须在1997年7月开始18个月的监测，并在1997年11月开始向美国环保局报告数据。本文讨论了实施的初步步骤，包括:国家开展的培训；完成ICR实验室质量保证数据系统；批准特定实验室；试运行；以及教育和培训材料的开发。 还讨论了数据验证的基本步骤。

After many months of preparation, monitoring is about to begin under the Information Collection Rule (ICR), the most extensive data collection effort ever attempted. This month, each of the 298 water utilities affected by the ICR will receive official approval of its sampling plan from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Utilities must begin 18 months of monitoring in July 1997 and begin reporting data to USEPA in November 1997. This article discusses the initial steps of implementation which include: nationally conducted training; completion of the ICR Laboratory Quality Assurance Data System; approval of specific laboratories; test runs; and, development of educational and training materials. The basic steps in data validation are also discussed.