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Home My WebLink About#118-final INSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only. Laboratory Cert. #: 118 Laboratory Name: New Bern WWTP Lab Inspection Type: Municipal Maintenance Inspector Name(s): Todd Crawford, David Livingston Inspection Date: March 24, 2009 Date Report Completed: April 1, 2009 Date Forwarded to Reviewer: April 1, 2009 Reviewed by: Ramon Cook Date Review Completed: May 6, 2009 Cover Letter to use: Insp. Initial X Insp. Reg. Insp. No Finding Insp. CP Unit Supervisor: Dana Satterwhite Date Received: May 6, 2009 Date Forwarded to Alberta: May 7, 2009 Date Mailed: _____________________________________________________________________ On-Site Inspection Report LABORATORY NAME: New Bern WWTP Lab NPDES PERMIT #: NC0025348 ADDRESS: 307 Glenburnie Drive New Bern, NC 28560 CERTIFICATE #: 118 DATE OF INSPECTION: March 24, 2009 TYPE OF INSPECTION: Municipal Maintenance AUDITORS: Todd Crawford, David Livingston LOCAL PERSONS CONTACTED: Cheryl King I. INTRODUCTION: This laboratory was inspected to verify its compliance with the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H .0800 for the analysis of environmental samples. II. GENERAL COMMENTS: The laboratory was spacious and well organized. All equipment appeared well maintained. Records are well kept and data appeared accurate. Some further quality control procedures and documentation improvements need to be implemented. Findings B, C, and D are new policies that have been implemented by our program since the last inspection. III. FINDINGS, REQUIREMENTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: pH - Standard Methods, 20th Edition, 4500 H+ B A. Finding: The column heading for the pH results did not indicate that the results were in Standard Units (S.U.) Requirement: Data pertinent to each analysis must be maintained for five years. Certified Data must consist of date collected, time collected, sample site, sample collector, and sample analysis time. The field bench sheets must provide a space for the signature or initials of the analyst, and proper units of measure for all analyses. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (1). Total Suspended Solids - Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 2540 D B. Finding: Deionized water is being put through the filter blank instead of leaving it dry. Requirement: If pre-prepared filters are not used, the method requires that filters must be weighed to a constant weight after washing. Repeat cycle of drying, cooling, desiccating, and weighing until a constant weight is obtained or until weight change is less than 4% of the previous weighing or 0.5 mg, whichever is less. In lieu of this process, it is acceptable to analyze a single daily dry filter blank to fulfill the method requirement of drying all filters to a constant weight prior to analysis. This is performed b y washing all filters as required by the method, then drying and desiccating them. The process of repeatedly heating, cooling, desiccating, and weighing until a constant weight is documented is not required. Instead, a single dry blank filter (i.e., no additional rinsing during the analysis) is analyzed. The acceptance criterion for the blank is a weight change of less than 4% of the filter’s initial weight or 0.5 mg, whichever is less. Ref: NC WW/GW LC Policy based upon Standard Methods, 20th Edition, 2540 D. (3) (a). Page 2 #118 New Bern WWTP Lab Ammonia Nitrogen - Standard Methods, 20th Edition, 4500 NH3 D C. Finding: A calibration blank is not being analyzed prior to sample analysis. Also, a blank and mid-range standard are not being analyzed after every tenth sample. Requirement: The calibration blank and mid-range standard must be analyzed initially (i.e., prior to sample analysis), after every tenth sample and at the end of each sample group to check for carry over and calibration drift. If either fall outside established quality control acceptance criteria, corrective action must be taken (e.g., repeating sample determinations since the last acceptable calibration verification, repeating the initial calibration, etc.). Ref: NC WW/GW LC Policy based upon Standard Methods, 20th Edition, 1020 B. (10) (c), 3020 B. (2) (b), and 4020 B. (2). Ammonia Nitrogen - Standard Methods, 20th Edition, 4500 NH3 D Total Phosphorus – EPA Method 365.3 D. Finding: Matrix Spike analyses are not performed. Requirement: Unless the referenced method states a greater frequency, include one Matrix Spike (MS) with each sample set (batch – 20 or fewer samples) or on a 5% basis. Prepare the MS from a reference source different from that used for calibration unless otherwise stated in the method. Laboratories analyzing less than 20 samples per month must analyze at least one MS each month samples are analyzed. If MS results are out of control, the results must be qualified or the laboratory must take corrective action to rectify the effect, use another method, or employ the method of standard additions. Refer to the method of choice for specific acceptance criteria for the MS until the laboratory develops or adopts statistically valid, laboratory- specific performance criteria for accuracy. Ref: NC WW/GW LC Policy based upon Standard Methods, 20th Edition, 1020 B. (6). Dissolved Oxygen - Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500 O G E. Finding: The calibration time is not being recorded. This is considered pertinent information. Requirement: All analytical data pertinent to each certified analysis must be filed in an orderly manner so as to be readily available for inspection upon request. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (a) (7) (A). IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION: No paper trail performed. V. CONCLUSIONS: Correcting the above-cited findings will help this lab to produce quality data and meet certification requirements. The inspectors would like to thank the staff for its assistance during the inspection and data review proce ss. Please respond to all findings. Report prepared by: Todd Crawford Date: April 1, 2009 Report reviewed by: Ramon Cook Date: May 4, 2009