NC0003425_Low level Hg = lab cross contamination_20201001

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by Anonymous User 10/1/2020 7:34:41 AM (Supplemental Submittal)
by Bennett, Tilman B 5/16/2021 8:51:31 PM (Supplemental Info Submittal)
p Low level Hg results - lab cross contamination
• Bennett, Tilman B assigned the task to Bennett, Tilman B 5/16/2021 8:51 PM
• The task was assigned to Thedford, Wren, Bennett, Bradley 10/1/2020 7:34 AM

NPDES Wastewater EDMR Supplemental Information Upload
NORTH CAROLINA
Ertrlranmrrttat Quea(ity
Initial Review Information
Updated ID#:*
IM RtANfFEVIENERSHOULDVERIFY and revise here if necessary.
NC0003425
How should this project be handled?*
(' File r Discard
Information Submitted on 10/1/2020
Submitter Information
Name: Ryan Enoch
vvio is submitting the information?
Email Address:*
[e-mail]
Submittal Information
The Division of Water Resources (DWR) is providing this site to allow for the upload of required supplemental
information associated with discharge monitoring reports (DMR). All DMR data is required to be submitted
electronically through the eDMR system and should not be submitted here. Division staff will review all
uploaded documents and will only maintain required information. Documents such as laboratory reports are not required
to be submitted and will not be maintained in the system.
Project Information:
Rease supply the permit nurrber for this project.
Existing ID#* FtxrritNull ter
NC0003425
Exarrples: NCxxxxxxx or NCGxxxxxx
Facility Name:*
Roxboro Steam Electric Plant
County: Person
Please upload all files that need to be
submited. *
Click the upload button or drag and drop files here to attach document
Duke Energy LLHG Letter 091420 for Roxboro.pdf 54.95KB
only pdf files are accepted.
Comments about the attachments:
lnstream low level mercury samples taken August 11, 2020 on Hyco Reservoir were contaminated during sample
storage at Pace Analytical Lab. The sample result for 6B was reported by Pace Analytical at 8.65 ng\L. This
analytical result has been left blank after receiving documentation of contamination from Pace Analytical and after
consultation with the RRO. Duke Energy will also use another laboratory going forward until we have assurance that
any sample storage/contamination issues are resolved.

* V By checking the box and signing box below, I certify that:
o I have given true, accurate, and complete information on this form;
o I agree that submission of this Supplemental Information form is a "transaction" subject to Chapter 66, Article 40 of the
NC General Statutes (the "Uniform Electronic Transactions Act")
o I agree to conduct this transaction by electronic means pursuant to Chapter 66, Article 40 of the NC General Statutes
(the "Uniform Electronic Transactions Act");
o I understand that an electronic signature has the same legal effect and can be enforced in the same way as a written
signature; AND
o I intend to electronically sign and submit the Supplemental Information form."
Full Name: Ryan Enoch
Signature:
Date Submitted: 10/01/2020

[O] 828-417-6052
Barry.Johnson @pacelabs.com
9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 100, Huntersville, NC 28078

PACELABS.COM

September 14, 2020
Duke Energy
3932 New Hill Holleman Rd., New Hill, NC 27562
Dear Richard Smith,

Pace Analytical Services, LLC is committed to providing high quality results and exemplary customer service to
our clients. Pace acknowledges the failure on our behalf to deliver accurate low-level mercury results for the
Duke Energy Roxboro facility samples listed below. The issue was traced to sample cross-contamination in the
sample storage location.

Roxboro
Project ID Lab Sample ID Customer Sample ID Collection
Date
Result Unit Field
Blanks ROX 92490916003 ROX_WC_202008_C_2_023 8/11/2020 0.528 ng/L
ROX 92490916007 ROX_WC_202008_F_2_027 8/11/2020 0.531 ng/L
ROX 92490916009 ROX_WC_202008_SHHW_1_029 8/11/2020 0.643 ng/L
ROX 92490916001 ROX_WC_202008_B_2_021 8/11/2020 0.665 ng/L
ROX 92490916005 ROX_WC_202008_D_2_025 8/11/2020 0.673 ng/L
ROX 92490916010 ROX_WC_202008_SHHW_1_030 8/11/2020 2.01 ng/L X
ROX_INST 92490927001 ROX_INST_6_B_DN_INST_2020_003 8/11/2020 8.65 ng/L
ROX_INST 92490927002 ROX_INST_6_B_DN_INST_2020_004 8/11/2020 12.8 ng/L X
ROX 92490916002 ROX_WC_202008_B_2_022 8/11/2020 ND ng/L X
ROX 92490916004 ROX_WC_202008_C_2_024 8/11/2020 ND ng/L X
ROX 92490916006 ROX_WC_202008_D_2_026 8/11/2020 ND ng/L X
ROX 92490916008 ROX_WC_202008_F_2_028 8/11/2020 ND ng/L X

Sample collection, bottle kits, sample digestion, and sample analysis were all ruled out as the source of
contamination. A different Pace customer started a new low-level mercury project that started June 23, 2020.

[O] 828-417-6052
Barry.Johnson @pacelabs.com
9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 100, Huntersville, NC 28078

PACELABS.COM

There were non-Duke Energy samples stored with the Duke Energy samples that had mercury concentrations
as high as 18,000 ng/L.

Pace Analytical put in several corrective actions to help reduce the chance of sample cross contamination.
• Pace segregated non-Duke Energy samples from Duke Energy samples.
• We implemented a low-level mercury storage blank system to test for storage sample cross-
contamination issues.
• Bottle kits will now include a “trip blank” to travel with the samples from the collection point to the lab
and then will go through sample receiving to the storage location.

We apologize for any inconvenience or interruptions caused by this and appreciate the opportunity to support
your analytical needs.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or Kevin Herring if you have any questions or require additional
information.

Sincerely,
Barry Johnson
Sr. Quality Assurance Manager