#5597 - 07 -2011 - FINAL

INSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET
To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only.
Laboratory Cert. #:
5597
Laboratory Name:
City of Kings Mountain T.J Ellison WTP
Inspection Type:
Field Initial
Inspector Name(s):
Chet Whiting,
Inspection Date:
July 21, 2011
Date Report Completed:
September 16, 2011
Date Forwarded to Reviewer: September 16, 2011
Reviewed by:
Todd Crawford
Date Review Completed:
September 16, 2011
Cover Letter to use: X
Insp. Initial _ Insp. Reg. _ Insp. No Finding _ Insp. CP _Corrected
Unit Supervisor:
Gary Francies
Date Received:
9/16/2011
Date Forwarded to Linda:
9/30/2011
Date Mailed:
V_Q,

Al
•s
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
September 30, 2011
5597
Mr. Newt Henson
City of Kings Mountain T.J. Ellison WTP
P.O. Box 429
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
SUBJECT: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC)
Initial Inspection
Dear Mr. Henson:
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Enclosed is a report for the inspection performed on July 21, 2011 by Chet Whiting. I apologize for the delay in
getting this report to you. Since the finding(s) cited during the inspection were all corrected prior to the
completion of the enclosed report, a response is not required. The staff is commended for taking the initiative
in correcting the findings in such a timely manner. 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,
Gary Francies
Unit Supervisor
Laboratory Section
CC: Master File
Chet Whiting
Gary Francies
DENR DWQ Laboratory Section NC Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Branch TOne
1623 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1623 1'v oft Olin .
Location: 4405 Reedy Creek Road. Raleigh, North Carolina 27607-6445
Phone: [phone] \ FAX: [phone]
Internet: www.dwglab.org
An Equal Opportunity\ Affirmative Action Employer Customer Service:1-877-623-6748 www.ncwaterquality.org

LABORATORY NAME:
NPDES PERMIT #
ADDRESS:
CERTIFICATE #:
DATE OF INSPECTION:
TYPE OF INSPECTION:
AUDITOR(S):
LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED:
• • • . • • Al
City of Kings Mountain T.J. Ellison WTP
NC0079740
P.O. Box 429
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
5597
July 21, 2011
Field Initial
Chet Whiting
Newt Henson
This laboratory was inspected to verify its compliance with the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H .0800 for
the analysis of environmental samples.
The Laboratory is not currently analyzing samples that fall under the scope of this program. Facility
personnel expressed a desire to have their systems for analysis and documentation compliant with
Certification requirements prior to beginning testing. Their proactive attitude is appreciated. The lab had
developed a good pH meter calibration sheet.
Documentation:
Comment: The laboratory did not have an adequate system of documentation for analytical and
supporting data as required by Certification Rules. The North Carolina Administrative Code, 15A NCAC
2H .0805 (g) (1) states: Data pertinent to each analysis must be maintained for five years. Certified
Data must consist of date collected, time collected, sample site, sample collector, and sample analysis
time. The field benchsheets must provide a space for the signature or initials of the analyst, and proper
units of measure for all analyses. An example bench sheet was provided to the lab by e-mail July 25,
2011. Notification of acceptable corrective action (i.e. acknowledgement of implementation of a
benchsheet that documents all required information) was received by electronic mail on 8/31/2011. No
further response is necessary for this finding.
Comment: The laboratory needed to increase the documentation of materials and reagents. The
Quality Assurance Policies for Field Laboratories document states: 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 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

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#5597 City of Kings Mountain T.J. Ellison WTP
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. Notification of acceptable corrective action (i.e., implementing the use of a new
benchsheet that includes consumable traceability) was received by electronic mail on 9/15/2011. No
further response is necessary for this finding.
pH — Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500 H+ B
Comment: The temperature sensing device on the pH meter had been calibrated against an NIST
certified thermometer; however the corrections were not posted. Technical Assistance for Field
Analysis of pH states: All temperature sensing devices on meters must be calibrated against a NIST
certified or NIST 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. Notification of acceptable corrective action (i.e. a copy of the temperature
sensor calibration from Laboratory Instrument Service and a statement indicating the correction was
posted on the meter) was received by electronic mail on 9/13/20i 1 and 9/ 1/2G 11. No further
response is necessary for this finding.
Total Residual Chlorine — Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500 CI G
Comment: The instrument's factory calibration curve had not been verified. The Technical Assistance
for Field Analysis of Total Residual Chlorine states: Analyze water blank to zero the instrument and
then analyze a series of five standards. The curve verification must check 5 concentrations (not
counting the blank) that bracket the range of the samples to be analyzed. This type of curve verification
must be performed at least every 12 months. The values obtained must not vary by more than 10% of
the known value for standard concentrations greater than or equal to 50 tag/L and must not vary by
more than 25% of the known value for standard concentrations less than 50 pg/L. The overall
correlation coefficient of the curve must be >_0.995. Notification of acceptable corrective action (i.e. a
statement acknowledging implementation of acceptable curve verification from 8/25/2011) was
received by electronic mail on 9/15/2011 No further response is necessary for this finding.
Comment: The true value of the gel standard used to check the calibration of the meter prior to
analysis was not verified. 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. Notification of acceptable corrective action (i.e. the established true value, 191 ,ug/L,
and the acceptance criteria, 172 to 210 Ng/L, of the gel standard) was received by electronic mail on
9/15/2011. No further response is necessary for this finding.
Total Residual Chlorine — Standard Methods, 181h Edition, 4500 CI G
pH — Standard Methods, 181h Edition, 4500 H+ B
Comment: There was no system in place to document Proficiency Testing (PT) samples in the same
manner as routine environmental samples. Quality Assurance Policies for Field Laboratories states:
The analysis of PT samples is designed to evaluate the entire process used to routinely report
environmental analytical results; therefore, PT samples must be analyzed and the process documented
in the same manner as environmental samples. Notification of acceptable corrective action (i.e.
acknowledging implementation of a benchsheet that documents pertinent information) was received by
electronic mail on 9/15/2011. No further response is necessary for this finding.

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#5597 City of Kings Mountain T.J. Ellison WTP
IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION:
No paper trail was conducted.
All findings noted during the inspection were adequately addressed prior to the completion of this
report. The inspector would like to thank the staff for its assistance during the inspection and data review
process. No response is required.
Report prepared by: Chet Whiting Date: September 16, 2011
Report reviewed by: Todd Crawford Date: September 16, 2011