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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