&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Laboratory Resources for the Water Sector
to Support Decontamination Activities
Background
During a contamination event at a drinking water or wastewater system, it may be necessary to analyze a surge of
water samples to identify the contaminant and to support remediation. Activities that require the analysis of water
samples during remediation include characterizing the extent of contamination, assessing the effectiveness of de-
contamination, and determining that it is safe to return the system to service. Long-term monitoring of the water
system to confirm no reoccurrence of contaminants may require further analysis of water samples.
Locating laboratory resources with the appropriate analytical capabilities is an important step in any decontami-
nation process. This fact sheet addresses how a utility can locate laboratory resources with the capability and
capacity to analyze water samples for a wide array of chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants during an
incident response. If intentional contamination is suspected, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) involvement is
necessary. Utilities should notify the local FBI field office Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator, who will in
turn ensure that other appropriate local, state, and federal agencies are contacted. To find the location of your
FBI Field Office, refer to: http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field/listing_by_state.
How to Identify Laboratory
Resources
In response to a contamination event, utilities should
coordinate with the appropriate state and local agen-
cies. In addition, EPA's Compendium of Environmen-
tal Testing Laboratories ("Laboratory Compendium")
can be used to identify a laboratory with appropriate
analytical capabilities. The Laboratory Compendium is
an online database of approximately 400 environmental
laboratories nationwide. The database contains contact
information as well as details on each laboratory's spe-
cific abilities to analyze chemical, biological, and radio-
logical contaminants. Information within the Laboratory
Compendium is searchable based on multiple criteria
(e.g., laboratory location, analyte).
To identify a laboratory, registered users can access
the Laboratory Compendium at http://www.epa.
gov/compendium. To become a registered user, a
utility must first apply and be approved by EPA.
Registration can be found at https://cfext.epa.gov/cetl/
IbLABSRegister.cfm. New users can access the Lab
Compendium's Getting Started Guide for information
on how to register.
Accessing Laboratory Networks
During water contamination events, EPA's Water Labo-
ratory Alliance (WLA) provides the Water Sector with
an integrated nationwide network of laboratories. WLA
member laboratories include public health, environmen-
tal, and commercial laboratories that have the ability
to analyze drinking water and/or wastewater samples
for chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants.
This alliance of laboratories can be accessed in events
with high sample analysis demand (i.e., when surge
capacity is needed) or for non-routine and unregu-
-------
. Laboratory Resources for the Water Sector to Support Decontamination Activities • page 2
lated contaminants. For information on the WLA, see
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/
wla/. The WLA is a component of EPA's Environmen-
tal Response Laboratory Network (ERLN). The ERLN
provides federal, state, and local decision makers
with reliable, high quality analytical data to identify
chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants
collected in environmental samples (i.e., water, air,
soil, etc.) in support of response and cleanup activi-
ties. More than 130 ERLN/WLA member laboratories
can be accessed through the Laboratory Compen-
dium. For more information on the ERLN, visit http://
www.epa.gov/erln.
EPA and other federal agencies support a number of
laboratory networks that can be accessed to provide
additional laboratory response capabilities during a con-
tamination event (i.e., surge capacity). The ERLN is one
of seven networks that constitute the Department of
Homeland Security's (DHS) Integrated Consortium
of Laboratory Networks (ICLN) (Figure 1). The ICLN
is a system of federal laboratory networks that allows
member networks the opportunity to access resourc-
es from other consortium member laboratories. The
ICLN provides a venue for the efficient coordination
of analytical laboratory services for events through
inter-network strategic and operational planning,
communication, and coordination. More information
on the ICLN can be found at http://www.icln.org.
Coordination during a.
Contamination Response Effort
The Water Laboratory Alliance Response Plan (WLA-
RP) (EPA 817-R-10-002, November 2010) establishes
processes and procedures for a coordinated laboratory
response to water contamination events (available at
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/
wla/upload/WLAResponsPlan_November2010.pdf).
Specifically, the WLA-RP addresses response to in-
cidents that may require additional analytical support
than a typical utility, state, or federal laboratory alone
can provide. In particular, it is recommended that utili-
ties reference the WLA-RP Appendix C Help Sheet for
Requesting Analytical Support during an Emergency
Response, to ensure that all necessary information
is communicated between the utility and laboratory
when requesting analytical support.
As an incident progresses, the type of laboratory capa-
bilities required to meet a utility's analytical needs may
change. During the initial phases of a response, labo-
ratories capable of conducting rapid screening may be
needed to quickly identify the contaminant. During the
later stages of a response, it may be necessary to ac-
cess laboratories that are able to conduct confirmatory
analyses to assess whether it is safe to return a system
to service. Since multiple laboratories may be needed
throughout the response process, a utility may need
input from their state laboratory to ensure appropri-
ate methods and resources are utilized. Utilities should
also consult with local or state jurisdictions for any pri-
macy agency requirements, processes or procedures.
Figure 2 describes the process of identifying and utiliz-
ing laboratory resources during the different stages of
response to a water contamination event including key
decision points, contacts, and resources. Additional in-
formation on key contacts and resources is provided in
Tables 1 and 2.
Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN)
•
Food
Emergency
Response
Network
(FERN)
National
Plant
Diagnostic
Network
(NPDN)
Laboratory
Response
Network
(LRN)
Watt
Environmental
Response
Laboratory
Network (ERLN)
ir Laboratory All
ianc
Department
of Defense
Lab Network
(DLN)
e (WLA)
WLA Response Plan (WLA-RP)
National
Animal
Health
Laboratory
Network
(NAHLN)
Veterinary
Laboratory
Response
Network
(Vet-LRN)
Figure 1. Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks
-------
. Laboratory Resources for the Water Sector to Support Decontamination Activities • page 3
1 Notification of Potential Contamination
• Note unusual results from routine monitoring tests
• Observe illnesses associated with exposure to drinking water
• Notice or receive information about evidence of tampering
~^^^_
Initial Response
• Identify contaminant if unknown or confirm contaminant if known
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment
1 Determine Analytical Needs
• Types of Analyses
• Data Use
• Data Turnaround
• Method
• Number of Samples
• Data Reporting
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control
-^^^-
Identify Potential Laboratory Resources*
• State and local primacy agencies
• Laboratory Compendium (ERLN/WLA labs)
• EPA Regional Laboratory Contact
*lf Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA), select agent, or radiological agent is
suspected, call EPA Regional Laboratory Contact immediately (Table 1)
"^^
Confirm Laboratory Capabilities
• Use of approved methods (e.g., for select agents)
"^^^
Qtanoc nf Re.
^\
_.
Kespor
Remedia
Recove
^r Is 'V^^
^^^. known? ^^^
NO
YFS ^ r
~
•
•
^
:
;
ather Additional Infor
=ield Screening
Rapid Screening
Site Characterization
Symptoms (if illnesses
Threat Information
Coordinate w/ EPA Re
.aboratory Contact (Ta
Establish Agreement, Contract or Purchase Order ^^^^^^^^^|P
• Establish directly with laboratory
• For significant events, utilize EPA contact to access appropriate
laboratories
"^^^-
Ship Samples
• Ensure proper Chain of Custody for collection and shipping
processes
^^
Laboratory Analysis
• Laboratories conduct sample analysis
-•-
I Reassess Analytical Needs
as Response Progresses
ise
tion
jry_
mation
)
gional
ble 1)
YES
W
Have
analytical needs
changed?
1
NO
r
Long-term Monitoring
• Continue analysis until recovery is
complete
Figure 2. Water Utility Process for Identifying Laboratory Resources
-------
. Laboratory Resources for the Water Sector to Support Decontamination Activities • page 4
Key Points of Contact
As noted previously, utilities should contact their state or local
primacy agency regarding availability of laboratory resources. In
the event that a utility is unable to identify laboratory capabilities
or if additional support is needed (e.g., to test for a select agent/
chemical warfare agent or to determine an unknown contami-
nant), they may communicate with their EPA Regional Laboratory
Contact. Please see Table 1 for contact information. Additional
EPA resources are listed in Table 2.
Table 1. EPA Regional Laboratory Contacts
EPA REGION 1 CONTACT INFORMATION
Region 1 (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, Rl)
Region 2 (NY, NJ, PR, VI)
Region 3 (PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, DC)
Region 4 (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN, KY)
Region 5 (OH, Ml, IN, IL, Wl, MN)
Region 6 (AR, LA, TX, OK, NM)
Region 7 (IA, MO, NE, KS)
Region 8 (ND, SD, MT, WY, CO, UT)
Region 9 (AZ, NV, CA, HI)
Region 10 (ID, WA, OR, AK)
Ernest Waterman (waterman.ernest@epa.gov) | (617) 918-8632
John Bourbon (bourbon.john@epa.gov) | (732) 321-6706
Cindy Caporale (caporale.cynthia@epa.gov) | (410) 305-2732
Gary Bennett (bennett.gary@epa.gov) | (706) 355-8551
Dennis Wesolowski (wesolowski.dennis@epa.gov) | (312) 353-9084
David Neleigh (neleigh.david@epa.gov) | (281) 983-2209
Michael F. Davis (davis.michael@epa.gov) | (913) 551-5042
Mark Burkhardt (burkhardt.mark@epa.gov) | (303) 312-7799
Brenda Bettencourt (bettencourt.brenda@epa.gov) | (510)412-2311
Barry Pepich (pepich.barry@epa.gov) | (360) 871-8701
Table 2. Additional Contacts
EPA RESOURCE CONTACT INFORMATION
Environmental Response Laboratory Network
Water Laboratory Alliance
WLA Email
ERLN/WLA Helpline
Schatzi Fitz-James (fitz-james.schatzi@epa.gov)
(202) 564-2521
Latisha Mapp (mapp.latisha@epa.gov) | (202) 564-1390
WLA@epa.gov
(703) 818-4200
Office of Water (4608-T) EPA 817-F-12-003 www.epa.gov/watersecurity September 2012
------- |