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
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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
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#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