#600 - 01 - 2012 - FINAL

INSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET
To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only.
Laboratory Cert. #:
600
Laboratory Name:
Environmental Testing Solutions
Inspection Type:
Commercial Maintenance
Inspector Name(s):
Jason Smith
Inspection Date:
January 27, 2012
Date Report Completed:
February 24, 2012
Date Forwarded to Reviewer: February 24, 2012
Reviewed by:
Todd Crawford
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Cover Letter to use: _
Insp. Initial _ Insp. Reg. _ Insp. No Finding _ Insp. CP X Corrected
Unit Supervisor:
Gary Francies
Date Received:
2/27/2012
Date Forwarded to Linda:
3/20/2012
Date Mailed:
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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue
Governor
600
Ms. Kelley Keenan
Environmental Testing Solutions
P.O. Box 7565
Asheville, NC 28802
Charles Wakild, P. E.
Director
March 21, 2012
Dee Freeman
Secretary
SUBJECT: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC)
Maintenance Inspection
Dear Ms. Keenan:
Enclosed is a report for the inspection performed on January 27, 2012 by Jason Smith. I
apologize for the delay in getting this report to you. Since the finding(s) cited during the
inspection were all corrected prior to the completion of the enclosed report, a response is not
required. The staff is commended for taking the initiative in correcting the findings in such a
timely manner. 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 electronic mail, or if you have questions or need additional information please
contact me at 828-296-4677.
Sincerely,
Gary Francies
Certification Unit Supervisor
Laboratory Section
Enclosure
CC: Master File
Gary Francies
DENR DWQ Laboratory Section NC Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Branch
1623 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1623
Location: 4405 Reedy Creek Road. Raleigh, North Carolina 27607.6445
Phone: [phone] \ FAX: [phone]
Internet: www.dwglab.org
One
NorthCarolina
Naturally
An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer

LABORATORY NAME:
ADDRESS:
CERTIFICATE #:
DATE OF INSPECTION:
TYPE OF INSPECTION:
AUDITOR(S):
LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED:
INTRODUCTION:
On -Site Inspection Report
Environmental Testing Solutions
P.O. Box 7565
Asheville, NC 28802
January 27, 2012
Commercial Maintenance
Jason Smith
Kelley Keenan and Jim Sumner
This laboratory was inspected to verify its compliance with the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H
.0800 for the analysis of environmental samples.
11. GENERAL COMMENTS:
The facility is neat and well organized and has all the equipment necessary to perform the
analyses. Benchsheets are well designed, easy to follow and concise. Records are well organized
and easy to retrieve. The system for traceability of standard and reagent preparation is effective,
thorough and easy to follow. Laboratory personnel communicate well with sample collectors and
coordinate sample analyses effectively to manage workload and holding times. The laboratory has
been proactive in implementing updates and changes required by this program.
III. FINDINGS, REQUIREMENTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Settleable Solids — Standard Methods, 21st Edition, 2540 F
Comment: The forty five minute stir time was not documented. This is considered pertinent
information. The North Carolina Administrative Code, 15A NCAC 2H .0805 (a) (7) (A) states: 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. This is a new requirement that has been
implemented by our program since the last inspection. Acceptable corrective action (i.e., the
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and benchsheet were updated to record the forty five
minute stir time) was performed at the time of the inspection. No further response is necessary
for this finding.

Page 2
#600 Environmental Testing Solutions
Turbidity — Standard Methods, 21st Edition, 2130 B
Comment: Turbidity samples above 40 NTU were being diluted. The laboratory continued this
practice (which is required by 18th Edition of Standard Methods, but removed in all newer editions)
although they are citing 21st Edition of Standard Methods. Standard Methods, 21st Edition, 2130 B.
(4) (a) states: Avoid dilution whenever possible. Acceptable corrective action (i.e., the SOP was
updated to no longer dilute samples above 40 NTU) was performed at the time of the inspection.
No further response is necessary for this finding.
pH — SW - 846 Method 9040 C
pH — SW - 846 Method 9045 D
Comment: The calibration did not always bracket the values of sludge samples. The meter was
calibrated with a 12 Standard Unit (SU) standard, but samples were around 12.3 SU. SW - 846
Methods 9040 C and 9045 D, Section 7.1.2 states: Each instrument/electrode system must be
calibrated at a minimum of two points that bracket the expected pH of the samples. Acceptable
corrective action (i.e., a 12.3 SU buffer was ordered) was performed at the time of the inspection.
No further response is necessary for this finding.
Ammonia — Standard Methods, 21st Edition, 4500 NH3 D
Chemical Oxygen Demand — Hach Method 8000
Chemical Oxygen Demand — Standard Method, 21st Edition, 5220 D
Sulfate — Hach Method 8051
Comment: The calibration verification standard (same source as calibration standards) was not
analyzed at the end of the run and/or after every ten samples. The laboratory was analyzing a
second source standard due to a misunderstanding of the policy. North Carolina
Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Policy states: The calibration blank and
calibration verification standard (mid -range) 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.). This requirement is a new policy that has been
implemented by our program since the last inspection. Acceptable corrective action (i.e., the SOP
was updated to include the analysis of a same source calibration verification standard after every
ten samples and at the end of the run) was performed at the time of the inspection. No further
response is necessary for this finding.
IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION:
No paper trail performed.
V. CONCLUSIONS:
All findings noted during the inspection were adequately addressed prior to the completion of
this report. The inspector would like to thank the staff for its assistance during the inspection and
data review process. No response is required.
Report prepared by: Jason Smith Date: February 24, 2012
Report reviewed by: Todd Crawford Date: February 24, 2012