MODEL QUALITY ASSURANCE
PROGRAM PLAN
FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AGENCIES
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
STATE QA Plan
Revision No. 01
Date 3/1/82
Page 2 of 14
ITEM:
1.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM PLAN IDENTIFICATION FORM
2.0 INTRODUCTION
PAGE
3
5
3.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE POLICY
4.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGEMENT
4.1 Assignment of Responsibilities
4.2 Communications/Reportings
4.3 QA Program Review and Audit
5.0 GENERAL QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR MONITORING
6.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS
7.0 FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES
8.0 IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS AND SCHEDULE
10
11
11
12
APPENDIX A Interim Guidelines and Specifications for
Preparing Quality Assurance Project Plans.
13
APPENDIX B (Regional Quality Assurance Monitoring Protocols) 14
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STATE QA Plan
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1.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM PLAN IDENTIFICATION FORM
Document Title:
Document Control Number:_
Organization Title:
Address:
DIRECTOR: PHONE NUMBER:
TITLE:
QA OFFICE:
ADDRESS:
PLAN COVERAGE:
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CONCURRENCES:
(1) NAME:
TITLE:
STATE QA Plan
Revision No. 01
Date 3/1/82
Page 4 of 14
(Quality Assurance Officer)
SIGNATURE:
DATE:
(2) NAME:
TITLE:
SIGNATURE:
DATE:
APPROVAL:
NAME:
TITLE:
(Agency Director)
SIGNATURE:
DATE:
NAME:
TITLE:
(Regional Administrator or designee)
SIGNATURE:
DATE:
RA COMMENTS:
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STATE. QA Plan
Revision No. 01
Date 3/1/82
Page 5 of 14
2.0 INTRODUCTION
The ^_ is strongly
committed to good science and aggressive quality assurance (QA)
practices. This commitment complements the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) own emphasis given to a comprehensive and
coordinated QA program.
The ^ has already developed and integrated QA practices into
monitoring and measurement activities within its purview. These QA
practices are specifically designed to generate and process data of
known and appropriate quality in a cost-effective manner.
The purpose of this document is to establish -wide consistency
in the application of these individual QA practices. Further, it
ensures that all monitoring and measurement activities funded by EPA
will be conducted in accordance with EPA's monitoring and QA
requirements.
This document describes the _^ QA program
plan. Its objectives are ta clearly delinate the QA policy
and management structure which will be used to implement the QA
strategy and the QA monitoring requirements necessary to document the
reliability and validity of environmental data.
3.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE POLICY
It is the policy of the ^___^ i that there shall be
sufficient QA activities conducted within the to ensure that
all environmental data generated and processed will be scientifically
valid, of known precision and accuracy, of acceptable completeness,
respresentativeness, and comparability and where appropriate, legally
defensible. This goal can be achieved by ensuring that adequate QA
steps and procedures are used throughout the entire monitoring
process (from initial study planning through data usage).
A. Specifically it is the policy of that;
1. All environmental data generated will be of known and
acceptable quality. The data quality information developed
with all environmental data will be documented and
available.
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2. The intended use(s) of the data will be defined before the
data collection effort begins* so that appropriate QA
measures may be applied to ensure a level of data quality
commensurate with the monitoring objectives. The
determination of this level of data quality shall also
consider the prospective data needs of secondary users.
The assigned level of data quality, specific QA activities,
and data acceptance criteria will be explicitly described
in each monitoring activity's QA project plan.
3. Quality assurance activities will be designed in the most
cost-effective fashion possible without compromising data
quality objectives.
4. All monitoring activities will ensure that
acceptable QA requirements are included and implemented in
all applicable external procurements funded by EPA.
5. Each program which generates environmenal data will
develop QA project plan addressing the major elements
contained in Appendices A and B and will ensure that
adequate resources (both monetary and staff) are provided
to support the QA effort, and will be responsible for
implementing the plan. The QA project plan will specify
the mechanism by which timely corrective action can be
taken when data quality under goes degradation. The
project plan will specify the detailed procedures required
to assure quality data.
6. The technical and administrative authority for all QA
matters within the will be assigned to the Quality
Assurance Officer (QAO).The QAO will review, comment, and
concur on all QA project plans. The QAO will be
the focal point for interaction between EPA's Regional QA
program, programs, and other environmental
monitoring agencies in QA related matters.
7. All applicable programs will adhere to the requirements and
specifications stated in the QA program and in all QA
project plans, (when they are developed.)
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4.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGEMENT
In order to properly manage the QA activities of environmental
monitoring programs within the , all QA management
responsibilities shall be assigned to the QAO. The QAO will be under
the administrative management direction and support of
the . Each applicable monitoring program
will designate a person to serve as program Quality Control
Coordinator (QCC). The organizational structure is shown in Figure 1.
4.1 Assignment of Responsibilities
A. Responsibilities of the QA Officer
1. The QAO will be the official contact for all QA matters of
the .
2. The QAO will be responsible for identifying and responding
to QA needs, problems, and requests from within the .
The QAO will provide technical QA assistance or obtain
technical assistance from EPA's Regional Quality Assurance
Management office (RQAMO) as necessary. This will include
assistance in preparing detailed QA plans, contract or
other external procurement packages requiring QA measures,
designing QA programs for new studies, etc.
3. The QAO will review and approve all QA project
plans and all the QA-related sections of procurement
packages which includes or requires QA measures.
4. The QAO will work with the individual program managers and
other management to take appropriate corrective
action when where and however needed.
5. The QAO will serve as liaison between EPA's Regional QA
program, programs, and other environmental
monitoring agencies in QA related matters.
6. The QAO will prepare and submit QA reports to
management and when appropriate, EPA RQAMO.
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Figure 1
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a nan
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B. Program Quality Control Coordinator
1. The QCC is responsible for ongoing identification and
coordination of activities within their programs(s), which
result in the generation and/or processing of environmental
data.
2. The QCC will facilitate development and implementation of
QA project plans for those activities with the assistance
of the QAO.
3. The QCC will inform QAO of new legislation or regulations
which affect the QA program.
4.2 Communication/Reporting
A system for the dissemination of both written and oral communication
relative to QA program status/needs will be developed and implemented
to ensure that QA programs are effectively coordinated within
the purview. The QAO and QCC.will have direct access to the
program managers or laboratory directors on specific QA matters as
problems arise. The QAO will keep responsible management informed at
all times of the performance of the data-production systems and of
any program problems and heeds. Responsible management will in turn
adequately respond to identified program problems and needs
(including resource aspects) and ensure their resolution.
By October 1 of each year, the QAO will submit a QA status report
to management and to EPA RQAMO. These reports will contain
at least the following types of information:
A. Status of QA plans.
B. Data quality assessments, to include:
1. Accuracy
2. Precision
3. Completeness
4. Representativeness
5. Comparability
C. Significant QA problems, corrective actions, progress,
plans and recommendations.
D. Results of performance audits.
E. Results of system audits.
F. Summary of QA-related training.
G. Other information specifically requested by
management and EPA.
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4.3 QA Program Review and Audit
The QA program will include periodic reviews and audits to ensure
achievement of expressed QA objectives. The nature and frequency of
these reviews/audits will be determined on a project-specific basis.
Generally, they shall include the following:
A. Review of Program and Project Plans
As part of the QAO's responsibility for QA program overview, all
existing programs, future program plans, study/project plans,
experimental designs, and external procurements will be reviewed
by the QAO for adequacy, and be modified as necessary.^ These
reviews will ensure that acceptable QA/QC activities and
requirements are included, that proper QA was considered at the
project's inception, and that the project will be able to
produce data of the required quality in a reliable and
cost-effective manner.
B» External Reviews/Audits of Performance
System and performance audits and inter-laboratory/inter-field
comparision studies shall be conducted on each external (e.g.,
contractor laboratories) monitoring program within the
as required by the QAO. These audits will assess the adequacy
of, and adherence to, the respective QA plans.
C. Internal Review/Audit of Performance
The QAO will develop and implement a quarterly blind field spike
and duplicate program when appropriate. Corrective actions will
be taken and the reports submitted to appropriate
management.
5.0 GENERAL QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR MONITORING
Adequate QA will be applied throughout the entire monitoring process
to ensure that all environmental data generated and processed will be
scientifically valid, defensible, of known qaulity, complete,
representative and comparable. The QA elements which will be
incorporated into monitoring activities (both internal and externally
procured) by all program offices are defined in Appendices A and B.
Deviations from these QA monitoring requirements will be justified
and documented. The specific requirements and level(s) of effort
applicable to these QA elements will be described in individual QA
project plans which will be prepared for each monitoring activity.
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The QAO will review all QA project plans provide input, recommend
changes, and approve final QA plans . The QAO will maintain a
current file of all approved QA plans for every environmental
monitoring program.
6.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS
All QA personnel will have adequate education, training, and
experience both in the area of their technical expertise and in
quality assurance to meet their designated responsibilities.
All other monitoring personnel will possess adequate experience and
knowledge to perform satisfactorily all technical tasks assigned.
>v
7.0 FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES
The QA program requires that all applicable facilities,
equipment and services will be capable of producing acceptable
quality data in a efficient manner with minimum risk to personnel.
Specifically, the ensures provision of the following :
(a) acceptable facilities (e.g., lighting, ventilation, temperature,
noise levels, etc.) in their laboratory.
(b) acceptable utility services (e.g., electricity and voltage
control; purity, pressure, and supply of water and air; etc.) in
their laboratory.
(c) acceptable general laboratory equipment (e.g., analytical
instrumentation support, air conditioners, furnaces, generators,
refridgerators, incubators, laboratory hoods, sinks, counters
etc.) in their laboratory.
(d) acceptable monitoring equipment used in the field.
(e) routine inspection and preventive maintenance will be performed
for all facilities and equipment.
" The above applies to any contractor receiving State/EPA funds for
monitoring.
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8.0 IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS AND SCHEDULE
Implementation of the _^__^ QA program requires that each major
milestone be identified and scheduled for accomplishment. Milestones
include:
Milestones Dates
1. Designation of QA officer
2. QA program plan approved by
3. QA program plan approved by EPA Region
4. Preparation of QA project plan On-going
5. Prepare and submit QA program On-going
status, report
6. Review and update of QA plan On-going
7. Participation in annual On-going
performance or system audits.
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STATE QA PI art
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Date 3/1/82
Page 13 of 14
APPENDIX A
Interim Guidelines and Specifications for Preparing Quality
Assurance Project Plans QAMS -005/80, December 29, 1980.
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INTERIM GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR
PREPARING QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLANS
QAMS-005/80
Office of Monitoring Systems and Quality Assurance
Office of Research and Development
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
December 29, 1980
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This document has been prepared by the Quality Assurance Manage-
ment Staff of the Office of Research and Development in cooperation
with Systems, Science and Software of San Diego, California. We grate-
fully acknowledge the assistance of Mr. Darryl von Lehmden of the
Environmental Monitoring and Systems Laboratory of Research Triangle
Park, North Carolina. The assistance of the Agency's Quality Assurance
Officers in reviewing the document and providing comments during its
generation is also gratefully acknowledged.
DISCLAIMER
Mention of trade names or commercial products does not consti-
tute EPA endorsement or recommendation for use.
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ABSTRACT
The Agency-wide quality assurance policy stipulates that every
monitoring and measurement project must have a written and approved
Quality Assurance (QA) Project Plan. A QA Project Plan is a written
document, which presents, in specific terms, the policies, organization
(where applicable), objectives, functional activities, and specific QA
and quality control (QC) activities designed to achieve the data qual-
ity goals of a specific project(s) or continuing operation(s). The QA
Project Plan is required for each specific project or continuing oper-
ation (or group of similar projects or continuing operations). The QA
Project Plan will be prepared by the responsible Program Office,
Regional Office, Laboratory, contractor, grantee, or other organization.
This document describes the sixteen elements which must be con-
sidered for inclusion in all Quality Assurance Project Plans, and es-
tablishes criteria for plan preparation, review and approval. All QA
Project Plans must describe procedures which will be used to document
and report precision, accuracy and completeness of environmental mea-
surements.
ii
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CONTENTS
Section
ABSTRACT
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 DEFINITION, PURPOSE, AND SCOPE
2.1 Definition
2.2 Purpose
2.3 Scope
3.0 PLAN PREPARATION AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 Document Control
3.2 Elements of a QA Project Plan
3.3 Responsibilities
4.0 PLAN REVIEW, APPROVAL AND
DISTRIBUTION
5.0 PLAN CONTENT REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Title Page
5.2 Table of Contents
5.3 Project Description
5.4 Project Organization and
Responsibility
5.5 QA Objectives for Measurement
Data in Terms of Precision,
Accuracy, Completeness,
Representativeness, and
Comparability
5.6 Sampling Procedures
5-7 Sample Custody
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CONTENTS (Continued)
Section
Pages
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6.0
7.0
8.0
5.8 Calibration Procedures and
Frequency
5.9 Analytical Procedures
5.10 Data Reduction, Validation
and Reporting
5.11 Internal Quality Control
Checks
5.12 Performance and System Audits
5.13 Preventive Maintenance
5.14 Specific Routine Procedures
Used to Assess Data Precision,
Accuracy and Completeness
5,15 Corrective Action
5.16 Quality Assurance Reports to
Management
QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLANS
VERSUS PROJECT WORK PLANS
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SUMMARY
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
^^^M^
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A Glossary of Terms
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Section No. 1_
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980
Page T of 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy requires participa-
tion by all EPA regional offices, program offices, EPA laboratories and
States in a centrally-managed quality assurance (QA) program as stated
in the Administrator's Memorandum of May 30, 1979. This requirement
applies to all environmental monitoring and measurement efforts man-
dated or supported by EPA through regulations, grants, contracts, or
other formalized means not currently covered by regulation. The re-
sponsibility for developing, coordinating and directing the implementa-
tion of this program has been delegated to the Office of Research and
Development (ORD), which has established the Quality Assurance Manage-
ment Staff (QAMS) for this purpose.
Each office or laboratory generating data has the responsibility
to implement minimum procedures which assure that precision, accuracy,
completeness, and representativeness of its data are known and docu-
mented. In addition, an organization should specify the quality levels
which data must meet in order to be acceptable. To ensure that this
responsibility is met uniformly across the Agency, each EPA Office or
Laboratory must have a written QA Project Plan covering each monitoring
or measurement activity within its purview.
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Section No. 2
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Date; December 29. 1380'
Page 1 of 2
2.0 DEFINITION, PURPOSE AND SCOPE
2.1 Definition
QA Project Plans are written documents, one for each specific
project or continuing operation (or group of similar projects or con-
tinuing operations), to be prepared by the responsible Program Office,
Regional Office, Laboratory, Contractor, Grantee, or other organiza-
tion. The QA Project Plan presents, in specific terms, the policies,
organization, objectives, functional activities, and specific QA and
quality control (QC) activities designed to achieve the data quality
goals of the specific project(s) or continuing operation(s). Other
terms useful in understanding this document are defined in Appendix A.
2.2 Purpose
This document (1) presents guidelines and specifications that
describe the 16 essential elements of a QA Project Plan, (2) recom-
mends the format to be followed, and (3) specifies how plans will be
reviewed and approved.
2.3 Scope
The mandatory QA program covers all environmentally-related
measurements. Environmentally-related measurements are defined as all
field and laboratory investigations that generate data. These include
(1) the measurement of chemical, physical, or biological parameters in
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Section No. 2
Revision No* 4
Date: December 29. 1980
Page 2 of 2
the environment, (2) the determination of the presence or absence of
pollutants in waste streams, (3) assessment of health and ecological
effect studies, (4) conduct of clinical and epidemiological investiga-
tions, (5) performance of engineering and process evaluations, (6)
study of laboratory simulation of environmental events, and (7) study
or measurement on pollutant transport and fate, including diffusion
models. Each project within these activities must have a written and
approved QA Project Plan.
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Section No. 3
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29. 1980
Page 1 of 3
3'.0 PLAN PREPARATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 Document Control
All Quality Assurance Project Plans must be prepared using a
document control format consisting of information placed in the upper
right-hand corner of each document page:
Section Number
Revision Number
Date (of revision)
Page
3.2 Elements of QA Project Plan
Each of the sixteen items listed below must be considered for
inclusion in each QA Project Plan:
(1) Title page with provision for approval signatures
(2) Table of contents
(3) Project description
(4) Project organization and responsibility
(5) QA objectives for measurement data in terms of precision,
accuracy, completeness, representativeness and comparability
(6) Sampling procedures
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Section No. 3
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Date: December 29, 1980
Page 2 of 3 '
(7) Sample custody
(8) Calibration procedures and frequency
(9) Analytical procedures
(10) Data reduction, validation and reporting
(II) Internal quality control checks and frequency
(12) Performance and system audits and frequency
(13) Preventive maintenance procedures and schedules
(14) Specific routine procedures to be used to assess data pre-
cision, accuracy and completeness of specific measurement
parameters involved
(15) Corrective action
(16) Quality assurance reports to management
It is Agency policy that precision and accuracy of data shall be
assessed on all monitoring and measurement projects. Therefore, Item
14 must be described in all Quality Assurance Project Plans.
3.3 Responsibilities
Intramural Projects - Each Project Officer working in close co-
ordination with the QA Officer is responsible for the preparation of a
written QA Project Plan for each intramural project that involves
environmental measurements. This written plan must be separate from
any general plan normally prepared for the project (see caveat pre-
sented in Section 6). The Project Officer and the QA Officer must en-
sure that each intramural project plan contains procedures to document
and report precision, accuracy and completeness of all data generated.
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Section No. 3
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Date: December 29, 1980
Page 3 of 3
Extramural Projects - Each Project Officer working in close co-
ordination with the QA Officer has the responsibility to see that a
written QA Project PTan is prepared by the extramural organization for
each project involving environmental measurements. The elements of the
QA Project Plan must be separately identified from any general plan
normally prepared for the project (see caveat presented in Section 6).
The Project Officer and the QA Officer must ensure that each extramural
project plan contains procedures to document and report precision,
accuracy and completeness of all data generated.
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Section No. *
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980'
Page 1 of 1
4.0 PUN REVIEW, APPROVAL AND DISTRIBUTION
Intramural Projects - Each QA Project Plan must be approved by the
Project officer's immediate supervisor and the QA Officer. Completion
of reviews and approvals is shown by signatures on the title page of
the plan. Environmental measurements may not be initiated until the QA
Project Plan has received the necessary approvals, unless emergency
response is necessary. A copy of the approved QA Project Plan will be
distributed by the Project Officer to each person who has a major
responsibility for the quality of measurement data.
Extramural Projects - Each QA Project Plan must be approved by the
funding organization's Project Officer and the QA Officer. In addi-
tion, the extramural organization's Project Manager and responsible QA
official must review and approve the QA Project Plan. Completion of
reviews and approvals is shown by signatures on the title page of the
plan. Environmental measurements may not be initiated until the QA
Project Plan has received the necessary approvals. A copy of the
approved QA Project Plan will be distributed by the extramural organi-
zation's Project Director to each person who has a major responsiblity
for the quality of the measurement data.
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980'
Page 1 of 18
5.0 PUN CONTENT REQUIREMENTS
The sixteen (16) essential elements described in this section must
be considered and addressed in each QA Project Plan. If a particular
element is not relevant to the project under consideration, a brief
explanation of why the element is not relevant must be included. EPA-
approved reference, equivalent or alternative methods must be used and
their corresponding Agency-approved guidelines must be applied wherever
they are available and applicable.
It is Agency policy that precision and accuracy of data shall be
assessed routinely and reported on all environmental monitoring and
measurement data. Therefore, specific procedures to assess precision
and accuracy on a routine basis during the project must be described in
each QA Project Plan. Procedures to assess data quality are being
developed by QAMS and the Environmental Monitoring Systems Support
Laboratories. Additional guidance can be obtained from QA handbooks
for air, water biological, and radiation measurements (References 1, 2,
3, 12, 17, and 18).
The following subsections provide specific guidance pertinent to
each of the 16 components which must be considered for inclusion in
every QA Project Plan.
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Section No. . 5
Revision No. 4-
Date: December 29. 1980
Page 2- of 18"'
5.1 Title page
At the bottom of the title page,, provisions must be made for
the signatures of approving personnel. As a minimum, the QA
Project Plan must be approved by the following:
A* For intramural projects
! Project Officer's immediate supervisor
2. QA Officer
B. For extramural projects
I.» Organization's Project Manager
2. Organization's responsible QA Official
3* Funding organization's Project Officer
4. Funding organization's QA Officer
5.2 Table of Contents
The QA Project Plan Table of Contents will address each of
the following items:
* Introduction.
* A serial listing of each of the 16 quality assurance
project plan components.
» A listing of any appendices which are required to aug-
ment the Quality Assurance Project Plan as presented
(i.e., standard operating procedures, etc.).
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29. 1980"
Page 3 of 18
At the end of the Table of Contents, list the QAO and all
other individuals receiving official copies of the QA Project
Plan and any subsequent revisions.
5.3 Project Description
Provide a general description of the project, including the
experimental design. This description may be brief but must
have sufficient detail to allow those individuals responsible
for review and approval of the QA Project Plan to perform
their task. Where appropriate, include the following:
* Flow diagrams, tables and charts.
Dates anticipated for start and completion.
Intended end use of acquired data.
5.4 Project Organization and Responsibility
Include a table or chart showing the project organization and
line authority. List the key individuals, including the QAO,
who are responsible for ensuring the collection of valid
measurement data and the routine assessment of measurement
systems for precision and accuracy.
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29. 1980
Page 4 of 18 '
5.5 QA Objectives for Measurement Data in Terms of Precision,
Accuracy, Completeness, Representativeness, and Comparability
For each major measurement parameter, including all pollutant
measurement systems, list the QA objectives for precision,
accuracy and completeness. These QA objectives will be sum-
marized in a table. (See Table 1 for example of format.)
All measurements must be made so that results are representa-
tive of the media (air, water, biota, etc.) and conditions
being measured. Unless otherwise specified, all data must be
calculated and reported in units consistent with other organ-
izations reporting similar data to allow comparability of
data bases among organizations. Definitions for precision,
accuracy and completeness are provided in Appendix A.
Data quality objectives for accuracy and precision estab-
lished for each measurement parameter will be based on prior
knowledge of the measurement system employed and method vali-
dation studies using replicates,- spikes, standards, calibra-
tions, recovery studies, etc, and the requirements of the
specific project.
5.6 Sampling Procedures
For each major measurement parameter(s), including all pol-
lutant measurement systems, provide a description of the sam-
pling procedures to be used. Where applicable, include the
following:
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Table 1
EXAMPLE OF FORMAT TO SUMMARIZE PRECISION, ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OBJECTIVES
Measurement Parameter
(Method)
N02
(Chenllunl nescent)
S02 (24 hr)
(Pararosanlllne)
t
Reference
EPA 650/4-75-011
February 1975
EPA 650/4-74-027
December 1973
Experimental Conditions
Atmospheric sample;
spiked with NO. as
needed
Synthetic atmosphere
Precision,
Std. Dey.
<±10X
<±20t
»
Accuracy
*5X
tl 6|
«
«
Completeness
901
90f
t
t
O O 70 UJ
tu 0* (o n>
03 rK O
(/> i.
_i. o
O O 3
en
00
§cf?
a-
o>
ro
vo
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Section No* 5
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980
Page 6 of ~W~~
Description of techniques or guidelines used to select
sampling sites*
» Inclusion of specific sampling procedures to be used (by
reference in the case of standard procedures and by
actual description of the entire procedure in the case
of nonstandard procedures).
* Charts, flow diagrams or tables delineating sampling
program operations.
* A description of containers, procedures, reagents, etc.,
used for sample collection, preservation, transport, and
storage.
* Special conditions for the preparation of sampling
equipment and containers to avoid sample contamination
(e.g., containers for organics should be solvent-rinsed;
containers for trace metals should be acid-rinsed).
* Sample preservation methods and holding times.
Time considerations for shipping samples promptly to the
laboratory.
* Sample custody or chain-of-custody procedures (to be
described later in this document).
» Forms, notebooks and procedures to be used to record
sample history, sampling conditions and analyses to be
performed.
5.7 Sample Custody
Sample custody is a part of any good laboratory or field
operation. Where samples may be needed for legal purposes,
"chain-of-custody" procedures, as defined by the Office of
Enforcement, will be used. However, as a minimum, the fol-
lowing sample custody procedures will be addressed in the QA
Project Plans:
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date; December 29. 1980
Page 7 of 18
A. Field Sampling Operations:
Documentation of procedures for preparation of
reagents or supplies which become an integral
part of the sample (e.g., filters, and absorbing
reagents ) .
Procedures and forms for recording the exact
location and specific considerations associated
with sample acquisition.
Documentation of specific sample preservation
method.
Pre-prepared sample labels containing all infor-
mation necessary for effective sample tracking.
Figure 1 illustrates a typical sample label
applicable to this purpose.
* Standardized field tracking reporting forms to
establish sample custody in the field prior to
shipment. Figure 2 presents a typical sample of
a field tracking report form.
B. Laboratory Operations:
Identification of responsible party to act as
sample custodian at the laboratory facility
authorized to sign for incoming field samples,
obtain documents of shipment (e.g., bill of
lading number or mail receipt), and verify the
data entered onto the sample custody records.
Provision for a laboratory sample custody log
consisting of serially numbered standard lab-
tracking report sheets. A typical sample of a
standardized lab-tracking report form is shown
in Figure 3.
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Section No. 5
Revision No> 4_
Date: December 29, 1980
Page 8. of 1~
(NAME OF SAMPLING ORGANIZATION)
SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
PLANT:
DATE:
TIME:
MEDIA:
SAMPLE TYPE:.
SAMPLED BY:.
SAMPLE ID NO.:
LAB NO.
LOCATION:.
STATION:
PRESERVATIVE:
Figure 1. Example of General Sample Label
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date; December 29, 1980
Page 9 of 18
W/O No.
FX3LD
FIELD SAMPLE CODE
(FSC)
TRACKING REPORT:
1
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
,
_
LOC-SM
DATE
F
TIME(s)
Pa
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980
Page 10 of 18
W/O *J.
Paga
LAB TRACKING REPORT: - -
. FRACTION
CODE
,
X
PREP/ANAL
REQUIRED
(LOC-SN-FSC)
RESPONSIBLE
INDIVIDUAL
OATS
DELIVERED
DATE
COMPLETED
Figure 3. Sample of Lab-Tracking Report Form
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29. 1980
Page IT of 18
Specification of laboratory sample custody pro-
cedures for sample handling, storage and dis-
persement for analysis.
Additional guidelines useful in establishing a sample custody
procedure are given in Section 2.0.6 of Reference 2, and
Section 3.0.3 of Reference 3, and References 13 and 14.
5.8 Calibration Procedures and Frequency
Include calibration procedures and information:
For each major measurement parameter, including all pol-
lutant measurement systems, reference the applicable
standard operating procedure (SOP) or provide a written
description of the calibration procedure(s) to be used.
List the frequency planned for recalibration.
List the calibration standards to be used and their
sources(s), including traceability procedures.
5.9 Analytical Procedures
For each measurement parameter, including all pollutant mea-
surement systems, reference the applicable standard operating
procedure (SOP) or provide a written description of the ana-
lytical procedure(s) to be used. Officially approved EPA
procedures will be used when available. For convenience in
preparing the QA Project Plan, Elements 6, 8 and 9 may be
combined (e.g., Sections 5.6, 5.8 and 5.9).
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4 _
Date: December 29, 1980
Page iz Of ig"~
5.10 Data Reduction, Validation and Reporting - For each major
measurement parameter, including all pollutant measurement
systems, briefly describe the following:
* The data reduction scheme planned on collected data,
including all.equations used to calculate the concentra-
tion or value of the measured parameter and reporting
units.
» The principal criteria that will be used to validate
data integrity during collection and reporting of data.
The methods used to identify and treat outliers.
* The data flow or reporting scheme from collection of raw
data through storage of validated concentrations. A
flowchart will usually be needed.
* Key individuals who will handle the data in this report-
ing scheme (if this has already been described under
project organization and responsibilities, it need not
be repeated here).
5.11 Internal Quality Control Checks
Describe and/or reference all specific internal quality con-
trol ("internal" refers to both laboratory and field activi-
ties) methods to be followed. Examples of items to be con-
sidered include:
Replicates
» Spiked samples
* Split samples
> Control charts
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date; December 29, 1980'
Page 13 of 18
Blanks
Internal standards
Zero and span gases
Quality control samples
Surrogate samples
» Calibration standards and devices
* Reagent checks
Additional information and specific guidance can be found in
References 17 and 18.
5.12 Performance and System Audits
Each project plan must describe the internal and external
performance and systems audits which will be required to
monitor the capability and performance of the total measure-
ment system(s).
The systems audit consists of evaluation of all components of
the measurement systems to determine their proper selection
and use. This audit includes a careful evaluation of both
field and laboratory quality control procedures. Systems
audits are normally performed prior to or shortly after
systems are operational; however, such audits should be
performed on a regularly scheduled basis during the lifetime
of the project or continuing operation. The on-site systems
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Section No. 5-
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, I960
Page u of t~
audit may be a requirement for formal laboratory certifica-
tion programs such as laboratories analyzing public drinking
water systems. Specific references pertinent to systems
audits for formal laboratory certification programs can be
found in References 19 and 20.
After systems are operational and generating data, perfor-
mance audits are conducted periodically to determine the
accuracy of the total measurement system(s) or component
parts thereof. The plan should include a schedule for con-
ducting performance audits for each measurement parameter,
including a performance audit for all measurement systems.
As part of the performance audit process, laboratories may be
required to participate in analysis of performance evaluation
samples related to specific projects. Project plans should
also indicate, where applicable, scheduled participation in
all other inter-laboratory performance evaluation studies.
In support of performance audits, the Environmental Monitor-
ing Systems/Support Laboratories provide necessary audit
materials and devices and technical assistance. Also, these
laboratories conduct regularly scheduled inter-laboratory
performance tests and provide guidance and assistance in the
conduct of systems audits. To make arrangements for assis-
tance in the above areas, these laboratories should be con-
tacted directly:
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980'
Page 15 of 18
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Attention: Dr. Thomas R. Hauser, Director
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
26 W. St. Clair Street
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Attention: Mr. Robert L. Booth, Director
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Attention: Mr. Glen Schwitzer, Director
5.13 Preventive Maintenance
The following types of preventive maintenance items should be
considered and addressed in the QA Project Plan:
A schedule of important preventive maintenance tasks
that must be carried out to minimize downtime of the
measurement systems.
* A list of any critical spare parts that should be on
hand to minimize downtime.
5.14 Specific Routine Procedures Used to Assess Data Precision,
Accuracy and Completeness
It is Agency policy that precision and accuracy of data must
be routinely assessed for all environmental monitoring and
measurement data. Therefore, specific procedures to assess
precision and accuracy on a routine basis on the project must
be described in each QA Project Plan.
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Section No. 3
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980
Page is of 18
For each major measurement parameter, including all pollutant
measurement systems, the QA Project Plan must describe the
routine procedures used to assess the precision, accuracy and
completeness of the measurement data. These procedures
should include the equations to calculate precision, accuracy
and completeness, and the methods used to gather data for the
precision and accuracy calculations.
Statistical procedures applicable to environmental projects
are found in References 1, 2, 3, 12, 17, and 18. Examples of
these procedures include:
Central tendency and dispersion
- Arithmetic mean
- Range
Standard deviation
Relative standard deviation
Pooled standard deviation
- Geometric mean
» Measures of variability
- Accuracy
- Bias
- Precision; within laboratory and
between laboratories
» Significance test
u-test
- t-test
- F-test
Chi-square test
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980'
Page 17 of 18
Confidence limits
* Testing for outliers
Recommended guidelines and procedures to assess data
precision, accuracy and completeness are being developed.
5.15 Corrective Action
Corrective action procedures must be described for each pro-
ject which include the following elements:
The predetermined limits for data acceptability beyond
which corrective action is required.
Procedures for corrective action.
*-For each measurement system, identify the responsible
individual for initiating the corrective action and also
the individual responsible for approving the corrective
action, if necessary.
Corrective actions may also be initiated as a result of other
QA activities, including:
(1) Performance audits
(2) Systems audits
(3) Laboratory/interfield comparison studies
(4) QA Program audits conducted by QAMS
A formal corrective action program is more difficult to
define for these QA activities in advance and may be defined
as the need arises.
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Section No. 5
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980
Page 18 of 18
5.16 Quality Assurance Reports to Management
QA Project Plans should provide a mechanism for periodic
reporting to management on the performance of measurement
systems and data quality. As a minimum,, these reports should
include:
» Periodic assessment of measurement data accuracy, pre-
cision and completeness.
* Results of performance audits.
» Results of system audits»
» Significant QA problems and recommended solutions.
The individual(s) responsible for preparing the periodic
reports should be identified. The final report for each pro-
ject must include a separate QA section which summarizes data
quality information contained in the periodic reports.
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Section No. 6
Revision No. 4
Date; December 29. 1980'
Page 1 of 1
6.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLANS VERSUS PROJECT WORK PLANS
This document provides guidance for the preparation of QA Project
Plans and describes 16 components which must be included. Histori-
cally, most project managers have routinely included the majority of
these 16 elements in their project work plans. In practice* it is fre-
quently difficult to separate important quality assurance and quality
control functions and to isolate these functions from technical perfor-
mance activities. For those projects where this is the case, it is not
deemed necessary to replicate the narrative in the Quality Assurance
Project Plan section.
In instances where specific QA/QC protocols are addressed as an
integral part of the technical work plan, it is only necessary to cite
.the page number and location in the work plan in the specific subsec-
tion designated for this purpose.
It must be stressed, however, that whenever this approach is used
a "QA Project Plan locator page" must be inserted into the project work
plan immediately following the table of contents. This locator page
must list each of the items required for the QA Project Plan and state
the section and pages in the project plan where the item is described.
If a QA Project Plan item is not applicable to the work plan in ques-
tion, the words "not applicable" should be inserted next to the appro-
priate component on the locator page and the reason why this component
is not applicable should be briefly stated in the appropriate subsec-
tion in the QA Project Plan proper.
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Section No. 7
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980
Page 1 of 2
7.0 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
A large number of laboratory and field operations can be standard-
ized and written as Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When such
procedures are applicable and available, they may be incorporated into
the QA Project Plan by reference.
\
QA Project Plans should provide for the review of all activities
which could directly or indirectly influence data quality and the
determination of those operations which must be covered by SOP's.
Examples are:
General network design
Specific sampling site selection
* Sampling and analytical methodology
Probes, collection devices, storage containers, and sample
additives or preservatives
Special precautions, such as heat, light, reactivity, combust-
ability, and holding times
Federal reference, equivalent or alternative test procedures
Instrumentation selection and use
Calibration and standardization
Preventive and remedial maintenance
Replicate sampling
Blind and spiked samples
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Section No. 7
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980
Page 2 of 2 '
* Colocated samplers
QC procedures such as intralaboratory and intrafield activi-
ties* and interlaboratory and interfield activities
Documentation
* Sample custody
» Transportation
* Safety
* Data handling procedures
* Service contracts
Measurement of precision, accuracy, completeness, representa-
tiveness, and comparability
» Document control
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Section No. 8
Revision No.~"5
Date: December 29, 1980
Page 1 of 1
8.0 SUMMARY
Each intramural and extramural project that involves environ-
mental measurements must have a written and approved QA Project Plan.
All 16 items described previously must be considered and addressed.
Where an item is not relevant, a brief explanation of why it is not
relevant must be included. It is Agency policy that precision and
accuracy of data must be routinely assessed and reported on all
environmental monitoring and measurement data. Therefore, specific
procedures to assess precision and accuracy on a routine basis during
the project must be described in each QA Project Plan.
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Section No, References
Revision No. 4
Date; December 29, 1980
Page V of 2
REFERENCES
1- Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems.
Volume I - Principles"!EPA-600/9-76-005, March 1976.
Z. Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems.
Volume II - Ambient Air Specific Methods.EPA-600/4-77-027a, May
1977.
3. Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems.
Volume III - Stationary Source Specific Methods.EPA-600/4-77-
027b, August 1977.
4. Systems Audit Criteria and Procedures for Ambient Air Monitoring
Programs. Currently under development and available from address
shown in Reference 1 after July 1, 1980.
5. Techniques to Evaluate Laboratory Capability to Conduct Stack
Testing.
6. Performance Audit Procedures for Ambient Air Monitoring Programs.
Currently under development.
7. Appendix A - Quality Assurance Requirements for State and Local
Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS).Federal Register, Vol. 44, No.
92, pp. 27574-81, May 10, 1979.
8. Appendix B - Quality Assurance Requirements for Prevention of
"Significant Deterioration^ (PSD) Air Monitoring, Federal Register.
Vol. 44, No. 92, pp. 27582-84, May 10, 1979.
9. Appendix E - Quality Assurance Requirements for Continuous
Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMST!To be submitted as a proposed
regulation to amend 40 CFR 60.
10. Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste - Physical/Chemical
Methods. EPA SU-846, 1980.
11. Quality Assurance Guidelines for IERL-CI Project Officers.
EPA-600/9-79-046.December 1979.
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Section No. References
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980"
Page 2' of 2
12. Handbook for Analytical Quality Control in Water and Wastewater
Laboratories. EPA-600/4-79-019, March 1979.
13. NEIC Policies and Procedures Manual. Office of Enforcement,
EPA-330-9-78-001, May 1978.
14. NPDES Compliance, Sampling and Inspection Manual. Office of Water
Enforcement, Compliance Branch, June 1977.
15* Juran, J. M. (ed), Quality Control Handbook. Second Edition,
McGraw Hill, New York, 1962.
16* Juran, J. M. and F. M- Gryna, Quality Planning and Analysis.
McGraw Hill, New York, 1970.
17. Handbook for Analytical Quality Control and Radioactivity
Analytical Laboratories"! EPA-600/7-77-088, August 1977.
18. Manual of Analytical Quality Control for Pesticides and Related
Compounds in Human and Environmental Samples.EPA-600/1-79-008,
January 1979.
19. Procedure for the Evaluation of Environmental Monitoring
LaboratorleTiEPA 600/4-78-017, March 1978.
20. Manual for the Interim Certification of Laboratories Involved in
Analyzing Pub_Ttc_ Drinking Water Supplies - Criteria and
Procedures"EPA 600/8-78-008, August 1978.
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Section No. Appendix A
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980'
Page 1 of 5
APPENDIX A
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
AUDIT:
A systematic check to determine the quality of operation of some
functon or activity. Audits may be of two basic types: (1) per-
formance audits in which quantitative data are independently ob-
tained for comparison with routinely obtained data in a measure-
ment system, or (2) system audits of a qualitative nature that
consist of an on-site review of a laboratory's quality assurance
system and physical facilities for sampling, calibration, and
measurement.
DATA QUALITY:
The totality of features and characteristics of data that bears on
its ability to satisfy a given purpose. The characteristics of
major importance are accuracy, precision, completeness, represen-
tativeness, and comparability. These characteristics are defined
as follows:
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Section No. Appendix A
Revision No. 4-
Date: December 29, 1980"
Page 2 of 5
« Accuracy - the degree of agreement of a measurement (or
an average of measurements of the same thing), X, with an
accepted reference or true value, T, usually expressed as
the difference between the two values, X-T, or the dif-
ference as a percentage of the reference or true value,
100 (X-T)/T, and sometimes expressed as a ratio, X/T.
Accuracy is a measure of the bias in a system.
* Precision - a measure of mutual agreement among individ-
ual measurements of the same property, usually under pre-
scribed similar conditions. Precision is best expressed
in terms of the standard deviation. Various measures of
precision exist depending upon the "prescribed similar
conditions."
Completeness - a measure of the amount of valid data
obtained from a measurement system compared to the amount
that was expected to be obtained under correct normal
conditions.
* Representativeness - expresses the degree to which data
accurately and precisely represent a characteristic of a
population, parameter variations at a sampling point, a
process condition, or an environmental condition.
* Comparability - expresses the confidence with which one
data set can be compared to another.
DATA VALIDATION
A systematic process for reviewing a body of data against a
set of criteria to provide assurance that the data are ade-
quate for their intended use. Data validation consists of
data editing, screening, checking, auditing, verification,
certification, and review.
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Section No. Appendix A
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29. 1980
Page 3 of 5 ~
ENVIRONMENTALLY RELATED MEASUREMENTS:
A term used to describe essentially all field and laboratory
investigations that generate data involving (1) the measure-
ment of chemical, physical, or biological parameters in the
environment, (2) the determination of the presence or absence
of criteria or priority pollutants in waste streams, (3)
assessment of health and ecological effect studies, (4) con-
duct of clinical and epidemiological investigations, (5) per-
formance of engineering and process evaluations, (6) study of
laboratory simulation of environmental events, and (7) study
or measurement on pollutant transport and fate, including
diffusion models.
PERFORMANCE AUDITS:
Procedures used to determine quantitatively the accuracy of
the total measurement system or component parts thereof.
QUALITY ASSURANCE;
The total integrated program for assuring the reliability of
monitoring and measurement data. A system for integrating
the quality planning, quality assessment, and quality
improvement efforts to meet user requirements.
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Section No. Appendix A
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29. 1980
Page 4 of 5 ""
QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM PLAN:
An orderly assemblage of management policies, objectives,
principles, and general procedures by which an agency or
laboratory outlines how it intends to produce data of known
and accepted quality.
QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN;
i
An orderly assembly of detailed and specific procedures which
delineates how data of known and accepted quality data is
produced for a specific project. (A given agency or labora-
tory would have only one quality assurance program plan,, but
would have a quality assurance project plan for each of its
projects.)
QUALITY CONTROL;
The routine, application of procedures for obtaining pre-
scribed standards of performance in the monitoring and mea-
surement process-
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Section No. Appendix A
Revision No. 4
Date: December 29, 1980
Page 5 of 5
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP);
A written document which details an operation, analysis or
action whose mechanisms are thoroughly prescribed and which
is commonly accepted as the method for performing certain
routine or repetitive tasks.
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STATE QA Plan
Revision No. 01
Date 3/1/82
Page 14 of 14
APPENDIX B
Regional Quality Assurance Monitoring Protocals
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Environmental Sampling and Quality Assurance Protocol
It is the policy of Region 10 that every study or activity involving
environmental data collection results in data of adequate statistical
quantity and known precision and accuracy. To ensure that this is
achieved, a sampling protocol should be followed and a study plan
prepared. The plan should describe the specific study details and
discuss the procedures to be used to assure that the data is of known and
sufficient quality to satisfy the study objectives. The following
sampling protocol and study plan development outline are intended to be a
guide for EPA staff and/or EPA contractors conducting environmental
^monitoring or measurement activities within Region 10.
I. Scope and purpose of the monitoring or measurement activity.
A. Technical objectives.
B. Intended use of data and associated levels of data quality
required.
C. Time frames and schedules.
0. Organization and responsibilities.
E. Reporting format (reports, samples only, etc.)
II. Preliminary activities.
On any detailed survey other than those requiring just one or
two grab samples to be collected, the following activities
should be considered:
A. If necessary, conduct a pre-survey site visit to obtain
pertinent information for conducting the sampling survey;
such as logistics problems, equipment needs, access to
sample location, etc.
B. Develop a preliminary plan of study which includes
recommendations for any changes in the original objectives,
survey timing, anticipated problems, etc.
C. If necessary, appropriate representatives of EPA and the
sampling entity will meet to discuss the preliminary plan
of study; especially any changes in objectives or survey
timing. At that time, any changes required will be agreed
upon by all parties.
III. Detailed plan of study.
The sampling entity must develop this plan to satisfy EPA
analytical sampling and quality assurance requirements and
Inform appropriate staff how the study is to be conducted. The
plan of study should:
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-2-
A. Discuss the final agreed upon objectives including an
objective which addresses possible limitations of data use
and level of data quality.
B. Contain a brief explanation of past sample analysis results
if known.
C. Identify responsibilities for:
1. Conducting the survey.
2. Quality assurance activities.
3. Providing equipment.
4. Sample analysis.
5. Interpretation and analysis of results.
6. Scheduled report outputs.
0. Include a description of activities associated with sample
collection, including:
1. Discussion of parameters to be collected, sampling
procedures, and methods employed.
2. Listing of equipment to be used.
3. Discussion of potential sample collection problems
that may be encountered.
4. Listing of sample containers used, volumes of samples
to be collected, and preservatives to be used.
5. Discussion of field and laboratory analysis to be
performed and rationale.
6. Listing of methodology or reference to a standard
methodology for all field and laboratory analysis
including reporting units.
7. Discussion of documentation to be used including field
data forms, analysis request forms, and sample routing
forms if appropriate.
8. Discussion of quality assurance activities associated
with field and laboratory monitoring or measurement
analysis, including:
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-3-
a) Analytical procedures.
For each major qualitative and/or quantitative
analysis, list or provide a description of the
analytical procedures to be used. Where
applicable, analytical procedures recognized by
EPA as standard methods should be used.
b) Calibration procedures and frequency.
For each qualitative and/or quantitative
analysis, list or provide a description of the
calibration procedures to be used. List the
frequency planned for scheduled recalibration.
Where applicable, list those calibration
standards whose concentrations or values will be
established or compared to standards of higher
quality. This process is called traceability.
List the standards of higher quality that will be
used for this traceability.
c) Quality control checks.
For each qualitative and/or quantitative
analysis, describe the frequency and type(s) of
operational check(s) planned during routine
sampling and routine analysis, the established
control limits, and corrective action to be
initiated before measurements are continued.
d) Preventative maintenance procedures.
Include a schedule of important preventative
maintenance tasks that must be carried out to
minimize downtime of the measurement systems.
Where appropriate, list critical spare parts that
should be on hand to minimize downtime due to
parts failure.
e) Precision and accuracy assessments.
It is EPA's policy that precision and accuracy of
data shall be routinely assessed on all
applicable environmental monitoring and
measurement data. Describe a procedure to be
used to routinely assess the precision and
accuracy of environmental data. Include in this
procedure the equations to calculate precision
and accuracy and the activity planned to gather
data for the precision and accuracy calculation.
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AccuracyThe mechanism which will demonstrate
that the reported data are favorably comparable
to the true value(s).
PrecisionThe mechanism which will demonstrate
the reproducibility of the measurement process.
9. Identify how samples are to be transported.
10. Identify the chain-of-custody procedures to be used
(if any).
VI. Analytical Methods.
All field and laboratory environmental measurements shall adhere
to established EPA regulations, guidelines, and Regional
standard operating laboratory procedures (SOP). SOP's shall be
detailed documents describing who does what, when, where, how,
and why in a stepwise manner. They shall be sufficiently
complete and detailed to ensure that data of known precision and
accuracy are generated. SOP's shall be prepared or referenced
for all routine tasks but are not required to be contained in
the plan.
Recommended EPA Laboratory procedures are described in the
Federal Register, NPDES Amendments, Dec. 1, 1976, Vol. 41 No.
232, pp. 52780-86, "Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for
the Analysis of Pollutants", or the most recent update which is
expected around January 1, 1980. Also refer to the following
references:
Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, March
1979, EPA-600/4-79-020.
Handbook for Analytical Quality Control in Water and
Wastewater Laboratories, EPA-600/4-79-019.
Microbiological Methods for Monitoring the Environment,
Water, and Wastes, EPA-600/8-78-017.
Copies of the above-referenced documents can be obtained through
the Region 10 Quality Assurance Management Office. Address and
telephone number are as follows:
Mr. Barry Towns
Regional Quality Assurance Management Office
U.S. EPA M/S 345
1200 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone (206) 442-1106
V. Data Management and Reporting Requirements.
This section addresses the management and reporting requirements
of environmental data from sample collection through laboratory
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analysis to the final deposition of data including storage Into
the STORE! national water quality data base. Data management
questions will be resolved through the EPA Data Coordinator, Ray
Peterson. His address and telephone number are as follows:
Ray Peterson M/S 345
EPA Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone (206) 442-1193
A. Project area identification and characteristics:
1. Provide a map of the study area identifying all basins
or similar drainage areas considered in the project.
In addition, all project area characteristics gathered
such as land use, soil maps, drainage conveyance
systems, rainfall maps, etc., shall be reported to the
Data Coordinator, on the sampling entities reporting
form.
8. Monitoring site identification.
1. Provide the following information on all monitoring
sites:
a) Identification number, if any (12 character
maximum).
b) Name (48 character maximum).
c) Latitude/longitude to nearest second.
d) State.
e) County.
f) Purpose/description of monitoring site.
g) Copy (xerox okay) of US6S quad map with site
located.
2. The EPA Data Coordinator in turn will perform the
following within three weeks of receipt of information
from sampling entity.
a) Oetemine which stations (sites) are to be entered
1n STORED.
b) Assign permanent STORET identification primary
and secondary numbers as necessary and supply
this information to the sampling entity for
future handling of data.
c) Code and store sites in EPA comontpr
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-6-
d) Send printout back to sampling entity for
verification.
C. Collected physical/chemical data.
1. All data collected will be submitted to the EPA Data
Coordinator on sampling entities reporting form within
one month of availability.
2. For all data identified by the EPA Data Coordinator as
appropriate, the sampling entity has the
responsibility to get that data coded on forms,
punched on cards, or transferred to tape in a format
suitable for storage in the EPA STORE! computer system
within three months of availability. Coding,
punching, or tape formating details shall be approved
by the Data Coordinator prior to submission. The Data
Coordinator will store the data on STORET at no cost
to the sampling entity. Within one month of receipt
of the data, the Data Coordinator will provide a
STORET printout for verification of all stored data.
Verification of stored data is manditory and will be
the sampling entity's responsibility.
3. EPA will (as approved by the Data Coordinator) provide
standard STORET data retrievals to the sampling entity
of raw data, summaries, statistical analysis, and/or
graphics at no cost within two weeks of request.
VI. Report of findings.
The responsibilities for degree and type of reporting should be
spelled out in the objectives. They should include the
following:
A. Interpretation of lab results and other factors useful in
interpreting data.
B. Have objectives been met?
C. Recommendations on additional work.
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Quality Assurance Sample Plan
Outline
Project Name - Project Code
Project Officer 3flte Initiated
QA Officer _ Date Approved^
Date Que Peer Review Yes No
Date Completed
Purpose: (This includes agency requesting justification for conducting
sampling; Technical objectives, intended use of cuiCd. data
quality required.)
1.
Sampling Site: (Description of problem area.)
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2
3. Parameters: (What analyses requested of Lab; Limit of detection sought.)
4. Laboratory notification: (Lab number, instructions on containers AI-.H
documentation.)
-------
5. Coordination; (Names of contacts at requesting agency and at laboratory;
scheduling data.)
6. Sample Documentation: (Check list of required records-. Chain-of-uri:ody
procedures.)
-------
4
7. SampI a Collection: (Narrative description of proposed sampling.)
8. Quality Assurance: (Listing of blanks taken and controls cited for
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Sampiino handling: (Any special methods or devices used; How sarnies
are to be transported.)
10. Safety precautions:
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11. Final Report/Data Usage. (This may range from a Reportina Format for
samples only to a full report including inter-
pretation of results, objective critique,
recommendations on additional sampling, peer
review and administrative approval.)
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