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INSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET
To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only.
Laboratory Cert. #: 117
Laboratory Name: Greenville Utilities WWTP Lab
Inspection Type: Municipal Maintenance
Inspector Name(s): Todd Crawford
Inspection Date: March 12, 2009
Date Report Completed: March 17, 2009
Date Forwarded to Reviewer: March 18, 2009
Reviewed by: David Livingston
Date Review Completed: March 18, 2009
Cover Letter to use: Insp. Initial X Insp. Reg. Insp. No Finding Insp. CP
Unit Supervisor: Dana Satterwhite
Date Received: March 18, 2009
Date Forwarded to Alberta: March 18, 2009
Date Mailed:
_____________________________________________________________________
On-Site Inspection Report
LABORATORY NAME: Greenville Utilities WWTP Lab
ADDRESS: P. O. Box 1847
Greenville, NC 27834-1847
CERTIFICATE #: 117
DATE OF INSPECTION: March 12, 2009
TYPE OF INSPECTION: Municipal Maintenance
AUDITOR(S): Todd Crawford, Tony Hatcher
LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED: Jason Manning, Kevin Hardee, Crystal Respess, Kevin Smith
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 generally neat and well organized. All equipment appeared well maintained.
The requirements associated with Findings A, B, and E are new since the last inspection.
III. FINDINGS, REQUIREMENTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ammonia – Standard Methods, Online Edition, 4500 NH3 G-97
Comment: Samples used for the annual distillation study are being sent to a contract lab for the
distillation. Those distilled samples are being analyzed by the contract lab and those results are being
compared to the undistilled results obtained by the Greenville Utilities lab.
Recommendation: When performing the annual distillation study, both the distilled and undistilled
portions of the sample should be analyzed by the same laboratory using the same methodology so that
any concentration differences can be attributed to problems with sample matrix and not to possible
analytical differences between the two labs.
Alkalinity – Standard Methods, Online Edition, 2320 B-97
Recommendation: The current Calcium Carbonate calibration standard concentration of 2500 mg/L
should be changed to more closely align with routine samples concentrations, which are typically less
than 100 mg/L.
Metals – EPA Method 200.7
Comment: Due to a miss-directed internet link on the Certification Branch website, the facility was
following EPA Method 200.7, Rev. 5.0. This revision; however, is not yet approved for use for Clean
Water Act compliance. The facility has returned to citing, and is again following revision 4.4.
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Biochemical Oxygen Demand – Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 5210 B
A. Finding: Extra nutrients are not added for dilutions with >67% sample (>201mL).
Requirement: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) bottles containing more that 201mL of
sample must have extra nutrient added to them. Ref: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater
Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC) policy based upon Standard Methods 20th Edition,
5210 B. (4) (f) and Standard Methods, 21st Edition, 5210 B. (5) (c) (2).
Comment: The best way to do this is to use pillows made for a 300 mL bottle size. Add 1 pillow
to each bottle containing more than 201 mL sample. This policy applies no matter what method
edition you are following.
Total Phosphorus – Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500 P E
Chemical Oxygen Demand – Standard Methods, Online Edition, 5220 D-97
Chloride – Standard Methods, Online Edition, 4500 Cl B-97
Ammonia – Standard Methods, Online Edition, 4500 NH3 G-97
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen – EPA Method 351.2
Nitrate+Nitrite Nitrogen – Standard Methods, Online Edition, 4500 NO3 F-00
Nitrite Nitrogen – Standard Methods, Online Edition, 4500 NO3 F-00
Oil & Grease – Standard Methods, Online Edition, 5520 B-01
Metals – EPA Method 200.7
B. Finding: Matrix spikes are not being analyzed.
Requirement: Unless the referenced method states a greater frequency, include one Matrix
Spike (MS) with each sample set (batch – 20 or fewer samples) or on a 5% basis. Prepare the
MS from a reference source different from that used for calibration unless otherwise stated in
the method. Laboratories analyzing less than 20 samples per month must analyze at least one
MS each month samples are analyzed. If MS results are out of control, the results must be
qualified or the laboratory must take corrective action to rectify the effect, use another method,
or employ the method of standard additions. Refer to the method of choice for specific
acceptance criteria for the MS until the laboratory develops or adopts statistically valid,
laboratory-specific performance criteria for accuracy. Ref: NC WW/GW LC Policy, 10/15/2008.
Total Dissolved Solids – Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 2540C
C. Finding: Neither the recorded values, nor the column headings in the columns titled “weight of
Dry Clean dish” and “Weight of Dish + Residue” on the “Total Dissolved Solids Analytical
Benchsheet” indicate the units of measure.
Requirement: All laboratories must use printed laboratory bench worksheets that include a
space to enter the signature or initials of the analyst, date of analyses, sample identification,
volume of sample analyzed, value from the measurement system, factor and final value to be
reported and each item must be recorded each time samples are analyzed. The date and time
BOD and coliform samples are removed from the incubator must be included on the laboratory
worksheet. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (a) (7) (H).
Recommendation: Modify column heading to indicate proper units.
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D. Finding: The column titled “Residue (mg)” on the “Total Dissolved Solids Analytical Benchsheet”
contains values recorded in gram units.
Requirement: All laboratories must use printed laboratory bench worksheets that include a
space to enter the signature or initials of the analyst, date of analyses, sample identification,
volume of sample analyzed, value from the measurement system, factor and final value to be
reported and each item must be recorded each time samples are analyzed. The date and time
BOD and coliform samples are removed from the incubator must be included on the laboratory
worksheet. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (a) (7) (H).
Recommendation: It is recommended that that the units listed in the column heading be
changed to grams since the formula shown on the benchsheet for calculating the final result
calls for that value in grams.
Quality Control
E. Finding: The laboratory is not verifying the infrared (IR) detection device each day of use.
Requirement: When an infrared (IR) detection device is used to measure the temperature of
samples, the device must be verified at least every quarter using a NIST-certified thermometer
over the full temperature range that the IR thermometer will be used. Each day of use,
perform a single check of the IR by checking the temperature of a bottle of water at the
temperature of interest that contains a calibrated thermometer. Agreement between the
two must be within 0.5ºC, or the device must be recalibrated. If the second calibration fails, the
device must be repaired and/or replaced. Document the quarterly and daily calibration checks.
The correction factor must be indicated on the thermometer and applied when recording
temperature measurements. Ref: NC WW/GW LC Policy, 10/03/2008.
IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION:
No paper trail was performed. Robbie Bullock, from the Washington Regional Office, conducted a paper
trail investigation during a plant inspection on March 6, 2009.
V. CONCLUSIONS:
Correcting the above-cited findings and implementing the recommendations 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: Todd Crawford Date: March 17, 2009
Report reviewed by: David Livingston Date: March 18, 2009