#5502_2017_0321_NJ_FINAL

INSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET
To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only.
Laboratory Cert. #:
5502
Laboratory Name:
Town of Creswell WTP
Inspection Type:
Technical Assistance
Inspector Name(s):
Nick Jones
Inspection Date:
March 29, 2017
Date Forwarded for Initial
Review:
May 11, 2017
Initial Review by:
Tonja Springer
Date Initial Review
Completed:
May 17, 2017
Cover Letter to use:
❑ Insp. Initial ® Insp. Reg
❑Insp. No Finding ❑Insp. CP
❑Corrected
❑Insp. Reg. Delay
Unit Supervisor/Chemist III:
Todd Crawford
Date Received:
May 18, 2017
Date Forwarded to Admin.:
May 23, 2017
Date Mailed:
May 24, 2017
Special Mailing Instructions:

Water Resources
May 24, 2017
5502
Mr. Ryan Swain
Town of Creswell WTP
P.O. Box 68
Creswell, NC 27928
ROY COOPER
MICHEAL S. REGAN
S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
Subject: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC)
Abbreviated Maintenance Inspection
Dear Mr. Swain:
Enclosed is a report for the inspection performed on March 29, 2017 by Nick Jones. I apologize for the
delay in getting this report to you. 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. Please describe the steps taken to prevent recurrence and include an
implementation date for each corrective action. 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.
A copy of the laboratory's Certified Parameter List at the time of the audit is attached. This list will reflect
any changes made during the audit. 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 [phone] ext. 251.
Sincerely,
Todd Crawford
Technical Assistance & Compliance Specialist
NC WW/GW Laboratory Certification Branch
Attachment
cc: Dana Satterwhite, Nick Jones, Tom Halvosa, Master File #5502
Water Sciences Section
NC Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Branch
1623 Mali Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1623
Location: 4405 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Phone; 919-733-39081 FAX:[phone]
Internet: htfp,//de ,nc, ov/about/diuisionslwater-resources(water-resources-data/water-sciences-home-page/laborator-ceriificatlon-branch

On -Site Inspection Report
LABORATORY NAME: Town of Creswell WTP
NPDES PERMIT #: NC0027600
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 68
Creswell, NC 27928
CERTIFICATE #: 5502
DATE OF INSPECTION: March 29, 2017
TYPE OF INSPECTION: Abbreviated Field Municipal Maintenance
AUDITOR(S): Nick Jones
LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED: Ryan Swain
INTRODUCTION:
This laboratory was inspected by a representative of the North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater
Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC) program to verify its compliance with the requirements of 15A
NCAC 2H .0800 for the analysis of compliance monitoring samples.
II. GENERAL COMMENTS:
The laboratory obtained consecutive unacceptable Proficiency Testing (PT) results for Total Residual
Chlorine (TRC) and pH. Troubleshooting was attempted remotely by NC WW/GW LC staff. After a third set
of unacceptable PT results were obtained, NC WW/GW LC staff offered onsite technical assistance which
the laboratory accepted. This inspection was limited to providing technical assistance in the analysis of pH
and TRC PT samples.
Upon inspection of the mechanical pipette used to prepare TRC standards, it was discovered that the
pipette tip was approximately three rotations from being securely tightened. A loose pipette tip may have
caused a smaller volume of standard to be drawn up, and subsequently dispensed, when the TRC PT
sample was prepared and resulted in the low recovery of the PT result. The value assigned to the NSI WP-
PTX2328 TRC PT sample was 225 µg/L with an acceptance range of 165 µg/L - 285 µg/L. The result
originally submitted by the laboratory for this sample was 87.0 µg/L. After tightening the pipette tip and re -
preparing the PT sample from one of the extra vials provided with the study, a result of 238 µg/L was
obtained.
Upon inspection of the pH meter, the inspector noticed some corrosion on one of the contact posts for the
battery supply. When asked about it, the analyst stated that more had been present, but that it had been
cleaned. It appeared to the inspector that the corrosion had made it into the main housing before it was
discovered and cleaned. The analyst stated that the last set of batteries did not last as long as expected.
The meter appeared to calibrate properly. The buffers used for calibration were of the One -Time -Use
pouch variety. They were within their expiration dates. The laboratory had several extra pH PT samples.
The following table displays the values of the PT samples and acceptable ranges assigned by NSI and the
results obtained:

Study
Acceptance Range
(s.u.)
Assigned Value (s.u.)
Obtained Value (s.u.)
Low
High
WP-PTX2437
5.90
6.30
6.10
6.46
WP-PTX2398
6.10
6.50
6.30
6.54
WP-PTX1453
6.71
7.11
6.91
6.95
WP-PTX2436
1 7.39
7.79
7.59
7.42
The pH results were all biased toward 7 s.u. (i.e., biased high when values were less than 7 s.0 and biased
low when values were greater than 7 s.u.). It is possible that corrosion may have entered the main housing
and compromised an electrical board. A corroded board could be responsible for the biased results. The
meter was returned to the manufacturer for service.
III. FINDINGS, REQUIREMENTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
A. Finding: The auto-pipettors have not been calibrated annually as required.
Requirement: Mechanical volumetric liquid -dispensing devices (e.g., fixed and adjustable auto-
pipettors, bottle -top dispensers, etc.), used for critical measurements, must be calibrated at least
every twelve months and documented. Each liquid -dispensing device must meet the
manufacturer's statement of accuracy. For variable volume devices used at more than one setting,
check the accuracy at the maximum, middle and minimum values. Testing at more than three
volumes is optional. When a device capable of variable settings is dedicated to dispense a single
specific volume, calibration is required at that setting only. Ref: Quality Assurance Policies for Field
Laboratories.
IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION:
No paper trail was performed.
V. CONCLUSIONS:
Since the technical assistance visit, the laboratory has received consecutive acceptable results from the
analysis of two TRC PT samples. The results of the pH analyses are pending.
Correcting the above -cited Finding will help this laboratory to produce quality data and meet Certification
requirements. The inspector would like to thank the staff for their assistance during the inspection and data
review process. Please respond to all Findings and include supporting documentation and
implementation dates for each corrective action.
Report prepared by: Nick Jones Date: May 11, 2017
Report reviewed by: Tonja Springer Date: May 17, 2017

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