#5016 - 06 - 2010 - FINAL

INSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET
To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only.
Laboratory Cert. #:
Laboratory Name:
Inspection Type:
Inspector Name 2
Inspection Date:
Date Report Completed;
Date Forwarded to Reviewer:
Reviewed bv:
Date Review Completed:
Cover Letter to use:
Unit Supervisor:
Date Received:
Date Forwarded to Alberta:
Date Mailed:
5016
Lowes Company Iredell Distribution
Field Maintenance
Chet Whiting
June 25, 2010
July 8 2010
July 8 2010
Todd Crawford
Julv 9 2010
Insp. Initial X Insp. Reg. _ Insp. No Finding Insp. CP
Gary Francies
8/20/2010
9/3/2010 ',tJF

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
September 7, 2010
5016
Mr. Rocky Everidge
Lowes Company Iredell Distribution
711 Tomlin Mill Road
Statesville, NC 28625
SUBJECT: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC)
Maintenance Inspection
Dear Mr. Everidge:
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Enclosed is a report for the inspection performed on June 25, 2010 by Mr. Chet Whiting. I apologize for the
delay in getting this report to you. Where finding(s) are cited in this report, a response is required. Within 30
days of receipt, please supply this office with a written item for item description of how these finding(s) were
corrected. For certification maintenance, your laboratory must continue to carry out the requirements set forth
in 15A NCAC 2H .0800.
Copies of the checklists completed during the inspection may be requested from this office. Thank you for your
cooperation during the inspection. If you wish to obtain an electronic copy of this report by email or if you have
questions or need additional information please contact me at 828-296-4677.
Sincerely,
Cta,,
Gary Francies
Unit Supervisor
Laboratory Section
CC: Chet Whiting
Master files
CENR oWQ Laboratory Section NC Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Branch One
- 1623 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1623 N6fffiCarofina
Location: 4405 Reedy Creek Road. Raleigh, North Carolina 27607-6445 Phone, 919-733-3908 t PAX: 919-733-6241 6l��c
`ltr'Ralll, r
Internet www.dwglab.org
An EquaiOpportunity I Affinnn6ve Action Employer Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 wvrw.ncwaterquality.org

AUDITOR(S):
Lowes Company Iredell Distribution
NCO085120
Lowes Companies, Inc.
711 Tomlin Mill Road
Statesville, NC 28625
5016
June 25, 2010
Field Maintenance
Chet Whiting
Rocky L. Everidge
This laboratory was inspected to verify its compliance with the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H .0800 for
the analysis of environmental samples.
GENERAL COMMENTS:
The laboratory was clean, well maintained and well organized. Benchsheets and documents were well
designed and were easily retrievable for review.
Findings A and B are new policies that have been implemented by our program since the last inspection
A. Finding: The laboratory needs to increase the documentation of materials and reagents used.
Requirement: All chemicals, reagents, standards and consumables used by the laboratory
must have the following information documented: Date Received, Date Opened (in use),
Vendor, Lot Number, and Expiration Date. A system (e.g., traceable identifiers) must be in
place that links standard/reagent preparation information to analytical batches in which the
solutions are used. Documentation of solution preparation must include the analyst's initials,
date of preparation, the volume or weight of standard(s) used, the solvent and final volume of
the solution. This information as well as the vendor, manufacturer, lot number, and expiration
date must be retained' for chemicals, reagents, standards and consurabies used for a period
of five years. Consumable materials such as pH buffers and lots of pre -made standards are
included in this requirement. Ref: Quality Assurance Policies for Field Laboratories.

Page 2
#5016 Lowes Company Iredeli Distribution
pH -- Standard Methods, 18t" Edition, 4500 H+ S
Comment: The temperature correction was not posted on the instrument. Technical Assistance for
Field Analysis of pH states: All thermometers and temperature measuring devices must be checked
every 12 months against a MIST certified or NIST traceable thermometer and the process documented
even if the instrument is not used for reporting temperature results. To check a thermometer or the
temperature sensor of a meter, read the temperature of the thermometer/meter against a NIST
certified or NIST traceable thermometer and record the two temperatures. The thermometer/meter
readings must be less than or equal to 1°C from the NIST certified or NIST traceable thermometer
reading. The documentation must include the serial number of the NIST certified thermometer or NEST
traceable thermometer that was used in the comparison. Also document any correction that applies on
both the thermometer/meter and on a separate sheet to be filed. (NOTE: Other certified laboratories
may provide assistance in meeting this requirement.) The correction was posted on the instrument
during the inspection which adequately addresses this finding. No further response is necessary for
this finding.
B. Finding: Values are reported that exceed the method specified accuracy (0.1 S.U) for this
analysis.
Requirement: A variance of ± 0.1 pH unit represents the limit of accuracy under normal
conditions, especially for measurement of water and poorly buffered solutions. For this reason,
report pH values to the nearest 0.1 pH unit. Ref: Standard Methods, 181h Edition, 4500 H+ B. (6).
C. Finding: The collection and analysis times are not clearly documented.
Requirement: Data pertinent to each analysis must be maintained for five years. Certified Data
must consist of date collected, time collected, samples site, sample collector, and sample
analysis time. The field bench sheets must provide a space for the signature of the analyst, and
proper units of measure for all analyses. Ref: 15A NCAC 2H .0805 (g) (1).
Comment: Since pH is analyzed in situ, a statement indicating that collection and analysis times
are the same may be added to the benchsheet, or the column header may be changed to "Time
Col lected/Analyzed."
IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION:
The paper trail consisted of comparing field testing records and contract lab reports to Discharge
Monitoring Reports (DMRs) submitted to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality. Data were
reviewed for Lowes Company Iredell Distribution (NPDES permit # NC0085120) for May, 2010. No
transcription errors were detected. The facility appears to be doing a good job of accurately
transcribing data.
r •,
Correcting the above -cited findings will help this lab to produce quality data and meet certification
requirements. The inspector would like to thank the staff for its assistance during the inspection and
data review process. Please respond to all findings.
Report prepared by: Chet Whiting Date: July 8, 2010
Report reviewed by: Todd Crawford Date: July 9, 2010