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HomeMy WebLinkAbout#5045- 11 - 2010 - FINALINSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only. Laboratory Cert. #: 5045 Laboratory Name: Pilot Mountain WWTP Lab Inspection TVpe: Field Maintenance Inspector Name(s): Chet Whiting Inspection Date: November 12, 2010 Date Report Completed: December 17, 2010 Date Forwarded to Reviewer: December_17 2010 Reviewed bv: Jason Smith Date Review Completed: December 22 2010 Cover Letter to use: Insp. Initial X Insp. Reg, _ Insp. No Finding _ Insp. CP Unit Supervisor: Gary Francies Date Received: 12/22/2010 Date Forwarded to Alberta: 12/22/2010 Date Mailed: M -,;0,ra NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H, Sullins Dee Freeman Governor Director Secretary December 23, 2010 5045 Mr. Kent Scott Pilot Mountain WWTP Lab 124 n. Main Street Pilot Mountain, NC 27030 SUBJECT: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC) Maintenance Inspection Dear Mr. Scott: Enclosed is a report for the inspection performed on November 12, 2010 by 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 copy of this report by email, or if you have questions or need additional information please contact me at 828-296-4677. Sincerely, �y < Gary Francies Unit Supervisor Laboratory Section CC: Gary Francies 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, 919-733-3908 VAX: 919-733-8241 Internet; wmi.dvrglab.org One NorthCarolina Natullallil tuaEqua'Opportunity\Affirmative Action Employer Customer Service:1-877-523-6748 ovi+ru.nceraterquality.org a rF. a . i. NPIDES . D CERTIFICATE #: DATE OF INSPECTION: TYPE OF INSPECTION: AUDITOR(S): LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED: 1. INTRODUCTION: On -Site Inspection Report Pilot Mountain WWTP Lab NCO026646 124 N. Main Street Pilot Mountain NC, 27030 5045 November 12, 2010 Field Maintenance Chet Whiting Kent Scott 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 laboratory was clean, well maintained and well organized. Bench sheets 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. Documentation A. Finding: The laboratory needs to increase the documentation of materials and reagents used. Requirement: All chemicals, reagents, standards and consurables 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 consumables 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. H — Standard Methods, 181h Edition, 4500 H+ g Dissolved Oxygen — Standard Methods, 181h Edition, 4500 O G Comment: The temperature sensing devices on the pH and Dissolved Oxygen meters had not been calibrated against an NIST certified or traceable thermometer annually (every 12 months) and the correction was not posted. Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of pH and Dissolved Oxygen states: All temperature sensing devices on meters must be calibrated against a NIST certified or NIST Page 2 #5045 Pilot Mountain WWTP Lab - traceable thermometer annually (every 12 months) and proper corrections made and documented. The meter reading must be less than 1°C from the NIST certified reading to be acceptable. Document the serial number and manufacturer of the NIST thermometer that was used in the comparison. Document any.correction that applies (even if zero) on both the meter and on a separate sheet to be filed. This issue was addressed in documents submitted November 24, 2010. No further response is necessary for this finding. pH — Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500 H"' B 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, 18'h Edition, 4500 H+ B. (6). Total Residual Chlorine —Standard Methods, 18" Edition, 4500 CI' G Comment: The facility was not using a meter capable of reading to permitted levels. At the time of the inspection a pocket colorimeter was used. The letter from the Division of Water Quality dated August 14, 2001 states: a hand held pocket colorimeter will be allowed to have a minimum reporting limit of 100 ugll. For any facilities with a limit less than this, the analysis must be performed with a spectrophotometer.. The laboratory started using a Hach DR-4000 to perform this analysis. This issue was addressed in documents submitted November 24, 2010. No further response is necessary for this finding. Comment: The Hach DR-4000 factory calibration curve was verified prior to being put into use. The calibration verification of the meter was included with documents submitted November 24, 2010. Comment: The true value of the gel standard used to check the calibration of the meter prior to 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. This issue was addressed in documents submitted November 24, 2010. No further response is necessary for this finding. 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. Pilot Mountain (NPDES permit # NC0026646) for July, August, and September 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: December 17, 2010 Report reviewed by Jason Smith Date: December 22, 2010