What is the first action taken upon receiving a chemical analysis printout?

Upon receiving a chemical analysis printout, the first action that should be taken is to compare the results with the drinking water contaminants table. This step is critical as it allows you to immediately assess whether any of the detected contaminants are above acceptable levels. By performing this comparison, operators can quickly determine if the water meets safety standards and regulations, which is essential for protecting public health.

The drinking water contaminants table provides baseline data regarding acceptable limits for various substances. This comparison is not only a proactive step in ensuring the safety of drinking water but also aids in making informed decisions about any necessary follow-up actions, such as reporting issues or initiating further testing if discrepancies are found. Moving forward with any other action, such as verification or filing the report, would not be appropriate until the results are validated against established safe levels.