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) ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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). ------- ------- 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) ------- 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). ------- |