NC0035041_Labratory Notice of Findings_20210617

Strickland, Bev
From: Pitner, Andrew
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2021 9:41 AM
To: Scheller, Roberto
Subject: FW: 5228 Notice of Finding for Immediate Response
Attachments: image001.png; 5228 Notice of Finding for Immediate Response 06_15_21.pdf
Fyi, about Hemby Acres...
From: Basinger, Corey
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 6:54 PM
To: Pitner, Andrew <[e-mail]>
Subject: Fwd: 5228 Notice of Finding for Immediate Response
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Cumbus, Michael W" <[e-mail]>
Date: June 15, 2021 at 3:06:50 PM EDT
To: "Basinger, Corey" <[e-mail]>
Cc: "Swanson, Beth" <[e-mail]>, "Crawford, Todd" <[e-mail]>,
"Cumbus, Michael W" <[e-mail]>
Subject: FW: 5228 Notice of Finding for Immediate Response
Corey, attached is a Notice of Finding for Immediate Response for Carolina Water Services, Inc —
Charlotte Region (Lab Certification #5228). I will be emailing a copy of the report to you once it has been
completed.
Michael Cumbus
From: Cumbus, Michael W <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 3:04 PM
To: Brent Milliron <[e-mail]>; Mark Haver
<[e-mail]>
Cc: Swanson, Beth <[e-mail]>; Crawford, Todd <[e-mail]>;
Cumbus, Michael W <[e-mail]>
Subject: 5228 Notice of Finding for Immediate Response
Brent, please see the attached document regarding the Finding from the recent audit concerning the
temperature measuring device for Hemby Acres. As I mentioned in our phone call and is noted in the
document, the temperatures must bracket the expected temperatures of compliance samples. A low
point around 5°C and a high temperature around 30°C should be appropriate. The laboratory has a
Thermometer Accuracy Verification Record template which will need to be updated with the serial
number of the new reference thermometer.
i

If there are any questions or any problems that come up, let me know as soon as possible and we can
discuss them over the phone.
Sincerely,
Michael Cumbus
Auditor/Chemist I
Division of Water Resources- WW/GW Laboratory Certification
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
[phone] x272 office
[phone] fax
[e-mail]
Water Sciences Section
1623 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1623
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2

Notice of Finding for Immediate Response
The following finding(s) is/are found to be of such a nature that immediate
resolution is required. A corrective action response is to be forwarded to:

Mr. Todd Crawford
DWR Laboratory Certification Branch
1623 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699 - 1623

Parameter and Finding

Parameter: Temperature – SM 2550 B-2010 (Aqueous)

Finding: During data review for the audit of Carolina Water Service Inc. – Charlotte Region (Certification
#5228), it was noted that the laboratory was measuring compliance temperature readings for Hemby Acres
(NPDES #NC0035041) with an Easy Read by H-B thermometer (serial number P75918). Upon review of the
thermometer verification performed on January 4, 2020, it was discovered that the thermometer in question
varied more than ± 0.5°C across the range of temperatures evaluated. The laboratory confirmed that this
device continued to be used despite the verification not being acceptable. Another verification was performed
on November 11, 2020; however, only one temperature (i.e., 3.9°C) was verified. Despite the verification
being acceptable at that one temperature, there is no evidence to indicate that the thermometer is acceptable
across the range of compliance sample temperatures.

The North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Approved Procedure for the Analysis of
Temperature states: “All compliance temperature-measuring devices without a valid NIST certificate must be
checked initially and every 12 months against an NIST traceable temperature-measuring device and the
process documented. Documentation must include the serial number of the device being checked. The serial
number, stated accuracy and expiration date of the NIST traceable temperature-measuring device used in the
comparison must also be documented. Verification data must be kept on file and be available for inspection
for 5 years. (NOTE: Vendors or other Certified laboratories may provide assistance in meeting this
requirement. When a vendor or other Certified laboratory provides this assistance, they must provide a copy
of their NIST Certificate or the serial number, accuracy and calibration expiration date.)
• To check a compliance temperature-measuring device, compare readings at two temperatures that bracket
the range of compliance samples routinely analyzed against an NIST traceable temperature-measuring
device and record all four readings. The readings from both devices must agree within 0.5ºC. If they do not,
the device may not be used for temperature compliance monitoring.

Carolina Water Services, Inc. – Charlotte Region has agreed to perform a verification of the temperature-
measuring device following the required procedure and forward the data to the auditor for review by June 29,
2021. The laboratory, as part of its corrective action, must qualify compliance temperature data measured by
this device on the Discharge Monitoring Report until a passing verification or a new temperature-measuring
device which meets all acceptance criteria is put into service.

By signature I verify that I have read and understand the Finding described above.
Signature of responsible party: Date:
The corrective action response must be received no later than: Date: June 29, 2021

Rev 08/01/2014
Auditor: Michael Cumbus Date: June 15, 2021
Lab Name: Carolina Water Services Inc. – Charlotte Region Cert #: 5228

Name of responsible party:
(please print) First MI Last

A copy of this document must be submitted with the corrective action response letter.