UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
JAN 5 (998
OFFICE OF
ENFORCEMENT AND
COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE
Dear NPDES Permit Holder:
Thank you for participating in the 1997 Discharge Monitoring Report - Quality Assurance (DMR-QA)
Study 17. This program covers all major permittees within the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES). The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA)
evaluation of your results is enclosed. Please provide a copy of the enclosed performance
evaluation report to any laboratory which performed analyses for you.
On the enclosed report, each result you reported has been placed in one of four categories:
"acceptable," not acceptable," "unusable," or "check for error." You are required to provide a
written response which explains the reasonfsl for all "not acceptable" or. "unusable" data
evaluations to your State or Regional Coordinator. A "check for error" evaluation is advisory and
does not require an official response.
Use the attached check lists to identify data handling and analytical problems for all reported values
that are "not acceptable." Where sources of error are not readily apparent, your laboratory should
make a systematic examination of all portions of its analytical and data reporting system.
If any of your reported values are "unusable," this does not mean your data are incorrect, but our
samples are designedxto be quantifiable using approved methods of analysis. Check your reporting
procedures and the detection limits of your analytical system and provide a written explanation for
your selection of any "less than" or "greater than" response.
To make sure problems have been adequately resolved we strongly recommend that your laboratory
demonstrate correction of analytical problems by analyzing a QC sample for each analyte for
which performance was "not acceptable." Suitable chemistry QC samples are commercially
available. If toxicity reference samples are needed the laboratory may use materials left over from
the study, or obtain additional reference toxicant samples from the USEPA contractor (ManTech
Environmental Technology, Inc., phone (919) 406-2114, FAX (919) 406-2246).
Send documents of corrective actions and results from analyses of QC samples to your State
or Regional Coordinator (as specified in the attached pages). Your response is due no later than
March 30.1998. and will be considered by the USEPA/State in determining the need for further
follow-up. Please refer to your NPDES permit number in all correspondence. Contact your
coordinator with any questions or to request "true" values for additional analytes present in the
samples.
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
Recycled/Recyclable . Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 20% Postconsumer)
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STATUS OF THE EXTERNALIZATION OF THE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION STUDIES:
Since the 1970s, USEPA has been conducting laboratory Performance Evaluation (PE) studies to
support the various water programs administered by the States and USEPA under the Clean Water
Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Three PE studies have been administered by USEPA: Water
Supply (WS) study program, Water Pollution (WP) study program as well as the DMR-QA study
program. USEPA has funded the preparation and supplying of the test substance to the participating
laboratories, received and scored study performance, and sent the results to, the participants and
responsible government agencies.
As part of the Government's effort to reduce costs and externalize activities that are not inherently
governmental functions, and that can be conducted by the private sector, USEPA has decided to
externalize the three PE studies described above. On July 18,1996, USEPA published a Federal
Register Notice (61 FR 37464-37471) explaining options for achieving this goal and requesting public
comment. A public meeting to discuss these options was held on August 27,1996. USEPA
evaluated these comments and on June 12,1997, USEPA published a Federal Register Notice (62
FR 113, 32112-32113) announcing the programmatic changes resulting from the externalization of
responsibilities. USEPA will issue standards for the operation of the program and the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will develop standards for private sector suppliers and
evaluate and accredit these PE suppliers. The private sector will develop and manufacture PE
materials and conduct PE studies. The PE providers will then report the results of the study to the
organizations responsible for administering those programs. On June 3,1997, NIST conducted a
public meeting with stakeholders to discuss the development of protocols for the privatized PE
studies.
The USEPA anticipates that the first accreditation of commercial providers will be completed in late
1998 and that services for the PE studies will begin shortly thereafter. Consequently the final
USEPA conducted studies will be DMR-QA 18 (aquatic toxicity samples to be shipped June 1998);
chemistry samples to be shipped July/August 1998); WP 40 (samples to be shipped July 1998); WS
41 (chemistry sample to be shipped May/June 1998); Radiochemistry study entitled, "Gamma in
Water Performance Evaluation Study" (samples to be shipped November 1998).
On behalf of the USEPA and your state environmental agency, I would like to thank you for your
cooperation and participation in this QA program. I trust that this program will continue to fulfil the
needs of all stakeholders under its new organizational structure.
Sincerely,
(\
Elaine G. Stanley, Director w
Office of Compliance
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DMR-QA STATE COORDINATORS
* Alabama
E. John Williford
AL Dept. of Env. Mgmt. .
1890 A. Cong. W.L. Dickinson Dr.
Montgomery, AL 36109
(334)260-2700
Alaska
Karen Hoover
US EPA, Region X
OW-133
1200 Sixth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206)553-1213
American Samoa
Sheila Wiegman
American Samoa EPA
Environmental Quality Commission
Pago Pago, AS 96799
(684) 633-2304
Arizona
Gary Brussels
AZ Dept. of Health Services
Environmental Lab Licensure
3443 North Central Ave., Suite 810
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 255-3454
* Arkansas
Dick Cassat
AR Dept of Poll. Ctrl. & Ecology
8001 National Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209
(501)682-0744
California
Bill Ray
CA State Water Res. Control Board
P.O. Box 944213
Sacramento, CA 95814-0100
(916)657-1123
Colorado
Derald Lang
CO Dept. of Public Division
Field Support Section
4300 S. Cherry Creek Dr.
Denver, CO 80222-1530
(303) 692-3561
Connecticut
Donald Gonyea
CTDept. of Env. Protection
Water Management Bureau
P.O. Box 5066
Hartford, CT 06106-5066
(860)424-3827
Delaware
Joe Mulrooney
DNR&EC
Water Pollution Branch
P.O. Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903
(302)739-5731
District of Columbia
William Ruby
Environmental Regulation Admin.
Water Resources Management Div.
2100 M.L. King Jr. Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 645-6601 ext. 3032
* Florida
Carlos Boueres
FL Dept. of Env. Protection
Quality Assurance Section
2600 Blear Stone Road, MS 6505
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(904)488-2796
Ed Sims
US EPA, Region IV
Water Management Div. (CWAES)
100 Alabama St., SW-Atlanta Federal
Center
Atlanta, GA 30303-3104
(404) 562-9768
Georgia
Jeff Larson
GA Dept of Natural Resources
Env. Protection Div.
4244 Int. Pkwy, Suite 110 - Atlanta
Tradeport
Atlanta, GA 30354
(404) 362-2680
Guam
Jesu/Salas
Guam EPA
P.O. Box 22439-GMF
TiyanBarrigada,GU 96921
(671) 472-8863
* Hawaii
Rendy Chow
HI Dept. of Health
State Laboratories Div.
2725 Waimano Home Rd.
Pearl City, ffl 96782
(808)453-6684
Idaho
Karen Hoover
US EPA, Region X
OW-133
1200 Sixth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1213
*IUinos
ErinRednour
Illinois EPA
Bureau of Water
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, LL 62702
(217) 782-9720
Indiana
Steve Kim
IN Dept. of Env. Mgmt, OWM
Oper. Assist. & Training Section
P.O. Box 6015
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317)232-8793
Iowa
Charles Furrey
lADept. of Natural Resources
Henry A. Wallace Bldg.
900 E. Grand
DesMoines, LA 50319
(515)281-4067
Kansas
JackMcKenzie
Kansas Dept of Health & Env.
Labaratory Services & Research
Forbes Field Bldg. #740
Topeka,KS 66620-0001
(913)296-1639
Kentucky
Donna Drury
KY Dept for Env. Protection
Division of Water
14 Reilly Rd. Ft Boone Plaza
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-3410 ext. 461
Louis ana
Elaine Sorbet
LDEQ Water Lab
8618 GSRI
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(504) 765-2406
Maine
David Dodge
ME Dept. of Env. Protection
Div. of Water Resource Regulation
State House, Station 17
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-7659
! Maryland
Marlene Patillo
MD Dept of the Environment
Div. of Municipal Compliance
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 631-3646
MelvinKnott
MDDept. of the Environment
Industrial Wastewater Program
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 631-3906
Massachusetts
Ping Yea
MA Dept of Env. Protection
Div. of Water Pollution Control
Training Center - Route 20
Milbury.MA 01527
(508) 756-7281
' Michigan
Clyde Marion
US EPA, Region V
(WC-15J)
77 West Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
(312)353-5966
Minnesota
Kim Sandrock
MN Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayete Road
StPaul,MN 55155
(612) 296-7387
Mississippi
Phillip Bass
MS Dept of Env. Quality
Office of Pollution Control
P.O Box 10385
Jackson, MS 39204
(601) 961-5143
Missouri
Jack Pate
MO Dept. of Natural Resources
Water Pollution Control Program
205 Jefferson Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573)751-1399
Montana
Mike Pasichnyk
MT Dept of Health & Environmental
Science
Water Quality Bureau
Cogswell Bldg., Rm. A 206
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-2406
Nebraska
Brian Gorman
NEDept of Env. Control
P.O. Box 98922
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402).471-4253
Nevada
Wendall McCurry
NV Div. of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Quality Planning
333 W. Nye Lane, Capitol Complex
Carson City, NV 89701
(702) 687-4670 ext. 3098
New Hampshire
Stephanie Larson
NHDept. of Env. Services
Water Supply & Poll. Ctrl. Div.
P.O Box 95
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-1493
* New Jersey
Linda Mauel
US EPA, Region II
2890 Woodbridge Ave. (MS-220)
Edison, NJ 08837-3679
(908)321-6766
New Mexico
Patrick Hanson
NM Environmental Dept.
Rennels Bldg., Rm. N 2050
P.O. Box 26110
Santa Fe,NM 87501
(505) 827-2799
NPDES Delegated State
Study 17
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DMR-QA STATE COORDINATORS
Linda Maud
US EPA, Region II
2890 Woodbridgc Avc. (MS-220)
Edison. NJ 08837-3679
(908)321-6766
North Carolina
Jim Meyer
NC DEM/Laboratory Section
NC Dcpt of Env. Health & Nat Res.
4405 Reedy Creek Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27607-4405
(919) 733-3908
North Dakota
JcanPficfer
ND Dcpt of Health
Div, of Water Quality, Missouri Office
Bldg,
1200 Missouri Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-5520
(701)328-5228
Northern Islands
John I. Castro Jr.
Div. of Env, Quality
Mariana Island
P.O. Box 1304
Saipin, CM 96950
(670)234-6950
*Ohlo
Susan Plank
Ohio EPA
1S71 Perry Street
Columbus. OH 43201
(614)644^240
Oklahoma
Aaron Milligan
OK Dcpt of Environmental Qlty.
1000 NE Tenth, 10th Floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1212
(405)271-5205
* Oregon
JudyJohndohl
OR Dcpt, of Environmental Quality
Executive Bldg.
811 SW Sixth Avc,
Portland, OR 97204
(503)229-6896
Pennsylvania
R. Laurue Wyrick
PA DEP - Bureau of Water Quality Mgmt
Div. of Permits & Compliace
P.O. Box 8465
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8465
(717)783-2940
CaryPcsek
PA DEP
Northwest Region, Water Mgmt. Program
(DMR-QA)
101 South Mercer Street
Newcastle, PA 16101
(412)656-3267
David Long
PA DEP
North Central Region, Water Mgmt
Program (DMR-QA)
208 W. Third St., Suite 101
Williamsport, PA 17701-6448
(717) 327-3781
Randy King
PA DEP
Southcentral Region, Water Mgmt.
Program (DMR-QA)
One Ararat Boulevard
Hamsburg,PA 17110
(717) 657-4671
Thomas Sherk
PA DEP
Northeast Region, Water Mgmt. Program
(DMR-QA)
2 Public Square
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0790
(717) 826-2533
David Burke
PA DEP
Southeast Region, Water Mgmt. Program
(DMR-QA)
555 N. Lane, Lee Park, Suite 6010
Consheohocken, PA 19428
(610)832-6106
Charles Brethauer
PADEP
Southwest Region, Water Mgmt Program
(DMR-QA)
400 Water Front Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4745
(412)442^1328
Puerto Rico
Linda Mauel
US EPA, Region H
2890 Woodbridge Ave. (MS-220)
Edison, NJ 08837-3679
(908) 321-6766
Rhode Island
Benjamin Lovesky
RIDept. of Env. Mgmt.
Div. of Water Resources
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
(401) 277-3961 ext. 7268
South Carolina
Wayne Davis
SC Dept of Health & Env. Control
Laboratory Certification
P.O. Box 72
State Park, SC 29147
(803) 935-6856
South Dakota
Brian Zinda
SD Dept of Env. & Natural Res.
Point Source Control Program
523 E. Capital, Joe Foss Bldg.
Pierre, SD 57501-3181
(605)773-3351
Tennessee
Pamela Townsend
TNDept of Env. & Conservation
Div. of Water Pollution Control
401 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37243-1234
(615)532-0677
Texas
Mary Stordal
TNRCC
5144 E. Sam Houston Pkwy. N.
Houston, TX 77015
(281)457-5229
Trust Territory
Patricia Mack
US EPA, Region IX
Laboratory
1337 South 46th St., Bldg. 201
Richmond, VA 94804-4698
(510)412-2333
Carolyn Tambwekaf
US EPA, Region IX
1337 South 46th Street, Bldg 201
Richmond, CA 94804-4698
(510)412-2383
'Utah
Mike Herkimer
UT Dept. of Env. Quality
Div. of Water Quality
288 North 1460 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4870
(801)538-6146
Vermont
Andrew Fish
VT Dept of Env. Conservation
103 S. Main Street, Sewing Bldg.
Waterbury, VT 05676
(802)241-3739
Virgin Islands
Linda Mauel
US EPA, Region II
2890 Woodbridge Ave. (MS-220)
Edison, NJ 08837-3679
(908)321-6766
Virginia
Roger Stewart
VADept. of Env. Qlty.
Water Division
P.O. Box 10009
Richmond, VA 23240-0009
(804) 698-4449
Washington
Stewart Lombard
WA State Dept. of Ecology
Quality Assurance Section
P.O. Box 488
Manchester, WA 98353
(360) 895-4649
West Virginia
DonE. Caldwell
State of West Virginia
Dept of Natural Resources
1201 Greenbrier Street
Charleston, WV 25305
(304) 558-2108
Wisconsin
Mike Kvitrud
WI Dept of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 621-8459
Tom Basher
WI Dept. of Natural Resources
North Central District
P.O. Box 818
Rhinelander.WI 54501
(715)369-8964
Don Domincick
WIDept of Natural Resources
Southeast District
P.O. Box 12436
Milwalkee,WI 53212
(414) 263-8717
Colleen Higgins
WI Dept. of Natural Resources
Western District
P.O. Box 4001
Eau Claire, WI 54702
(715)839-1603
Janet LaRose
WI Dept. of Natual Resources
Northwest District
810 W. Maple St.
Spdoner.WI 54801-1255
(715) 635-4067
RoyLemke
WI Dept. of Natural Resources
Southern District
3911 Fish Hatchery Road
Fitchburg,WI 53711
(608) 275-3283
Linda Vogen
WI Dept of Natural Resources
Lake Michigan District
P.O. Box 10448
Green Bay, WI 54307-0448
(414)492-5876
Wyoming
Edward Mock
WYDept of Env. Quality
Water Quality Division
122 W. 25th St
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307)777-7317
* NPDES Delegated State
Study 17
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
DMR-QA LABORATORY PERFORMANCE EVALUATION STUDY 17
CHECK LIST FOR FOLLOW-UP ON NOT ACCEPTABLE CHEMISTRY DATA
1. CHECK YOUR METHODS
a. EPA has approved specific methods for effluent monitoring. The list of approved methods
is contained in 40 CFR Part 136, Table 1B, although official exemptions are possible;
check to see that you are using an approved method.
b. Check to determine that your personnel are properly trained to perform these analyses.
c. If you are using an approved method and your personnel are properly trained, check to be
sure the method is being performed properly.
2. CHECK THE DATA FROM YOUR ROUTINE QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM
a. Assess your QC program. Are you employing appropriate QC checks (methods blanks,
calibration check samples, quality control samples, etc.) with your sample?
b. Assess your QC data results. Are they within or outside of appropriate control limits? If
outside, check factors that may have caused the abnormal reading (for example: if results
from your method blanks show interfering substances; check the purity of your reagents,
reagent water, glassware, etc.)
c. For further information on intralaboratory quality control programs and other good
laboratory practices, see D 3856 Standard Guide for Good Laboratory Practices for
Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of Water, Vol. 11.01 of the Annual Book
of ASTM Standards, ASTM.100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
3. CHECK YOUR CALCULATIONS
Be sure your calculations were properly done and that you reported the results in the proper units,
e.g., for trace metals, were micrograms/liter (ug/L) used instead of milligrams/liter (mg/L)? Check
the original instruction packet and have a colleague perform independent calculations to verify your
results.
4. CHECK FOR DATA REPORTING ERRORS
Data reporting errors should be taken seriously. If you had a data reporting problem, e.g.,
transcription error, etc., how are you going to strengthen your system for reporting routine DMR
data to avoid similar problems in the future?
5. CHECK TO SEE IF THE DMR-QA STUDY SAMPLES WERE PREPARED AND ANALYZED
ACCORDING TO THE STUDY INSTRUCTIONS.
6. DOCUMENTATION
Submit all identified problems with supporting information and corrective actions, to your State or
Regional Coordinator (as specified in the previous pages).
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1.
2.
3.
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
DMR-QA LABORATORY PERFORMANCE EVALUATION STUDY 17
CHECK LIST FOR FOLLOW-UP ON NOT ACCEPTABLE DATA FROM
WHOLE EFFLUENT TOXICITY TESTS
CHECK TO SEE THAT STUDY INSTRUCTIONS WERE FOLLOWED
a. Were the dilution water and "Simulated Effluent" prepared according to the study
instructions?
b. Was the test conducted according to the instructions?
c. Check to be sure you reported the correct method code for your test procedure.
CHECK THE DATA FROM YOUR ROUTINE QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM
a. Assess if you are performing reference toxicant testing at an appropriate frequency.
b. CHECK YOUR CULTURE CONDITIONS: Were culture/holding conditions (temperature,
hardness, salinity, pH, etc.) similar to test conditions?
i. Was your test water less than 48 hours old or more than 2 weeks old?
ii. What was the hardness (or salinity) of the culture versus the test water?
c.
d.
TEST ORGANISMS: Were the test organisms of suitable age and condition (e.g., free from
disease, taken from adequate brood size, low holding mortality, healthy condition upon
arrival from supplier)?
TEST CONDITIONS:
i. Check all required test conditions and make sure they have been met, e.g.,
temperature + 1°C.
n.
HI.
IV.
Were test conditions (temperature, dissolved oxygen, hardness or salinity, pH, etc.)
within acceptable limits?
Was a performance control (water of known or proven quality) employed in
addition to that specified in the instructions? If so, did it perform as expected?
Was a reference toxicant series included in the study? If so, how did the results
compare to the control data chart?
CHECK YOUR CALCULATIONS
a.
b.
c.
Did you use the correct amount of toxicant and dilution water in making your "simulated
effluent"?
Was a simulated data set (with known endpoints) subjected to statistical manipulations?
Check your computer program or hand calculations to verify your reported results. Are
your programs working properly? Are you using them properly?
(Turn page over to see remainder of check list)
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d. Be sure you reported the results properly on the data reporting form.
e. Did you use the correct analysis method according to the study directions and analysis
flowchart? In other words, did you check hypothesis testing assumptions, etc.?
4. CHECK FOR DATA TRANSCRIPTION ERRORS
5. CHECK TO DETERMINE THAT YOUR PERSONNEL ARE PROPERLY TRAINED TO PERFORM
THESE ANALYSES
Were personnel experienced with test procedures? Have the personnel run at least five reference
toxicant tests?
6. DOCUMENTATION
Submit all identified problems with supporting information and corrective action, to your State or
Regional Coordinator (as specified in the previous pages).
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