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Home My WebLink About#154 2010-final INSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only. Laboratory Cert. #: 154 Laboratory Name: Orange Water & Sewer Authority Laboratory Inspection Type: Municipal Maintenance Inspector Name(s): Jeffrey R. Adams Inspection Date: July 29, 2010 Date Report Completed: August 11, 2010 Date Forwarded to Reviewer: August 11, 2010 Reviewed by: Tonja Springer Date Review Completed: August 20, 2010 Cover Letter to use: Insp. Initial Insp. Reg. X Insp. No Finding Insp. CP Unit Supervisor: Dana Satterwhite Date Received: August 23, 2010 Date Forwarded to Alberta: September 1, 2010 Date Mailed: September 2, 2010 _____________________________________________________________________ On-Site Inspection Report LABORATORY NAME: Orange Water and Sewer Authority NPDES PERMIT # NC0025241; NC0082210 ADDRESS: 400 Jones Ferry Road Chapel Hill, NC 27510 CERTIFICATE #: 154 DATE OF INSPECTION: July 29, 2010 TYPE OF INSPECTION: Municipal Maintenance AUDITOR(S): Jeffrey R. Adams LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED: Sandra Bradshaw, Greg Monschein, Rachel Monschein, Monica Sherbrook, Emily Courier and Damon Forney I. INTRODUCTION: This laboratory was inspected to verify its compliance with the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H .0800 for the analysis of environmental samples. II. GENERAL COMMENTS: The laboratory was clean and well organized. The facility has all the equipment necessary to perform the analyses. It was noted that the laboratory not only meets, but exceeds, certification requirements for some quality control practices (e.g., checking the analytical balance each day with 3 weights and rechecking each calibration standard against the linear regressions produced to monitor residuals from the line). Performance testing samples have been analyzed for all certified parameters for the 2010 proficiency testing calendar year and the graded results were 100% acceptable. Records were maintained and well organized. The laboratory was presented a packet containing the quality control and policy changes and requirements during the inspection and these policies were reviewed with the laboratory supervisor and staff. III. FINDINGS, REQUIREMENTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Total Suspended Residue – Standard Methods, 20th Edition, 2540 D Comment: A minimum dried residue weight gain of 1 mg has been used to determine the reporting limit. North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Policy based upon Standard Methods, 20th and 21st Editions, 2540 D. (3) (b) states: The Page 2 #154 Orange Water & Sewer Authority Laboratory minimum weight gain allowed by any approved method is 2.5 mg. Choose sample volume to yield between 2.5 and 200 mg dried residue. This establishes a minimum reporting value of 2.5 mg/L when 1000 mL of sample is analyzed. If complete filtration takes more than 10 minutes increase filter diameter or decrease sample volume. In instances where the weight gain is less than the required 2.5 mg, the value must be reported as less than the appropriate value base upon the volume used. This is a new policy that has been implemented by our program since the last inspection. The laboratory supervisor stated during the inspection that this finding had already been corrected and that all Discharge Monitoring Reports beginning with July 1, 2010 would include the new <2.5 mg/L reporting limit when 1000 ml of sample is analyzed. No further response is necessary for this finding. Total Solids – Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 2540 B Comment: A minimum dried residue weight gain of 1 mg has been used to determine the reporting limit. North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Policy based upon Standard Methods, 20th and 21st Editions, 2540 C. (3) (d) and 2540 B. (3) (b) states: Choose sample volume to yield between 2.5 and 200 mg dried residue. To obtain the required residue yield, successive aliquots of samples may be added to the same dish after evaporation or adjust reporting level based upon the weight gain and sample volume used. For example, if 100 mL sample is analyzed, and less than 2.5 mg of dried residue is obtained, the value reported would be <25 mg/L. The minimum reporting value is established at 2.5 mg/L based upon a sample volume used of 1000 mL. The laboratory supervisor stated during the inspection that this finding had already been corrected and that all Discharge Monitoring Reports beginning with July 1, 2010 would include the new <2.5 mg/L reporting limit when 1000 ml of sample is analyzed. No further response is necessary for this finding. IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION: The paper trail consisted of comparing benchsheets and contract lab reports to Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) submitted to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality. Data were reviewed for the Orange Water & Sewer Authority Laboratory (NPDES permits #NC0025241 and #NC0082210) for April, May and June, 2010. No transcription errors were detected. The facility appears to be doing a good job of accurately transcribing data. V. CONCLUSIONS: 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: Jeffrey R. Adams Date: August 11, 2010 Report reviewed by: Tonja Springer Date: August 20, 2010