#5020 - 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(s):
Inspection Date:
Date Report Completed:
Date Forwarded to Reviewer:
Reviewed by:
Date Review Completed:
Cover Leiter to use:
Unit Supervisor:
Date Received:
s Date Forwarded to Alberta:
Date Mailed:
5020
Comm Scope WWTP
Field Maintenance
Chet Whiting
June 15 2010
July 7, 2010
July 7, 2010
Tonia Springer
7/13/2010
Insp. Initial X Insp. Reg. Insp. No Finding Insp. CP
Gary Francies
7/13/2010
7/13/2010 cy fJ )

Beverly Eaves Perdue
Governor
5020
Mr. Scott Waddell
Comm Scope WWTP
6519 Comm Scope Road
Catawba, NC 28609
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RCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Coleen H. Sullins
Director
July 13, 2010
SUBJECT: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC)
Maintenance Inspection
Dear Mr. Waddell:
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Enclosed is a report for the inspection performed on June 15, 2010 by Mr. Chet Whiting. Where finding(s) are
cited in this report, a response is required. Within thirty days of receipt, please supply this office with a written
item for item description of how these finding(s) were corrected. If the finding(s) cited in the enclosed report are
not corrected, enforcement actions may be recommended. 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 cony of this report by email, or if you have
questions or need additional information please contact me at 828-296-4677.
Sincerely,
Gary Fancies
Unit Supervisor
Laboratory Section
CC: Chet Whiting
Central files
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
An Equal Oppolunity\AffrmativeAction Employer Customer Service:1-877-623-6748 www.ncwatergtiality.org
NOfthCaro inn
Naturally

LABORATORY NAME:
NPDES PERMIT #:
ADDRESS:
CERTIFICATE #:
DATE OF INSPECTION:
TYPE OF INSPECTION:
AUDITOR(S):
LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED:
INTRODUCTION:
Comm Scope WWTP
NCO034754
6519 Comm Scope Rd.
Catawba, NC 28609
5020
June 15, 2010
Field Maintenance
Chet Whiting
D. Scott Waddell
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 clean, well maintained and well organized. Bench sheets and documents were well
designed and were easily retrievable for review.
Findings B and C are new policies that have been implemented by our program since the last inspection.
A. Finding: Error corrections are not performed properly.
Requirement: All documentation errors must be corrected by drawing a single line through the
error so that the original entry remains legible. Entries shall not be obliterated by erasures or
markings. Wite-Out®, correction tape or similar products designed to obliterate documentation
are not to be used. Write the correction adjacent to the error. The correction must be initialed
by the responsible individual and the date of change documented. All data and log entries must
be written in indelible ink. Pencil entries are not acceptable. Ref: Quality Assurance Policies for
Field Laboratories.
B. 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

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#5020 Comm Scope
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 consumabies 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.
Comment: The laboratory started this process and submitted a Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)
traceability document for calibration curve standards and regents on June 30, 2010.
Total Residual Chlorine — Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500 Cl G
Comment: The gel standard used to check the calibration of the meter prior to analysis had not been
calibrated every 12 months thereafter. The Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of Total Residual
Chlorine states: Purchased Gel -type or sealed liquid ampoule standards may be used for daily
calibration verification only. These standards must be verified initially and every 12 months
thereafter, with the standard curve. A copy of the gel standard verification was received on June 30,
2010 which adequately addresses this finding. No further response is necessary for this finding.
Comment: The calibration check standard was not in the mid -range of the verified calibration curve.
The Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of Total Residual Chlorine states: When a five -standard
annual curve verification (Option 1) is used the laboratory must check the calibration curve each
analysis day. To do this, the laboratory must analyze a blank to zero the instrument and analyze a
check standard each day that samples are analyzed. The check standard concentration must be at mid
range and recovery must be within 10% of the known value. A curve verification extended to a range of
400 pg/L was received on June 30, 2010 which adequately addresses this finding. No further response
is necessary for this finding.
pH — Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500 H+ B
Comment: The pH meter's temperature sensor had not been checked against a NISI Traceable
thermometer within the required twelve month period. The 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 MIST
traceable thermometer and record the two temperatures. The thermometer/meter readings must be
less than or equal to 10C from the NIST certified or NIST traceable thermometer reading. The
documentation must include the serial number of the NIST certified thermometer or NIST 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 sensor was checked and documented on -site
during the inspection which adequately addresses this finding. No further response is necessary for
this finding.
C. 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, 18th Edition, 4500 H+ B. (6).

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#5020 Comm Scope
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 Comm Scope (NPDES permit # NC0034754) for April and May, 2010. No transcription
errors were detected. The facility appears to be doing a good job of accurately transcribing data.
V. CONCLUSIONS:
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 7, 2010
Report reviewed by: Tonja Springer Date: July 12, 2010