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Home My WebLink About#169-final INSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only. Laboratory Cert. #: 169 Laboratory Name: Mount Olive WWTP Lab Inspection Type: Municipal Maintenance Inspector Name(s): Todd Crawford Inspection Date: June 16, 2009 Date Report Completed: June 17, 2009 Date Forwarded to Reviewer: June 17, 2009 Reviewed by: Tony Hatcher Date Review Completed: June 22, 2009 Cover Letter to use: Insp. Initial X Insp. Reg. Insp. No Finding __ Insp. CP Unit Supervisor: Dana Satterwhite Date Received: June 22, 2009 Date Forwarded to Alberta: June 29, 2009 Date Mailed: _____________________________________________________________________ On-Site Inspection Report LABORATORY NAME: Mount Olive WWTP Lab ADDRESS: P.O. Box 939 Mount Olive, NC 28365 CERTIFICATE #: 169 DATE OF INSPECTION: June 16, 2009 TYPE OF INSPECTION: Municipal Maintenance AUDITOR(S): Todd Crawford and Tony Hatcher LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED: Steve Oates 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 lab was generally neat and well organized. All equipment appeared well maintained. Findings A, C and D are new requirement policies since the last inspection. III. FINDINGS, REQUIREMENTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: BOD - Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 5210 B A. Finding: Extra nutrients are not being added for dilutions with >67% sample (>201mL). Requirement: BOD bottles containing more that 201mL of sample must have extra nutrients added to them. Ref: North Carolina Wastewater/ Groundwater Laboratory Certification policy based upon Standard Methods, 20th Edition, 5210 B. (4) (f) and 5210 B. (5) (c) (2). Comment: The best way to accomplish this is use pillow packets made for 300 mL bottles. Add 1 pillow to each bottle containing more than 201 mL sample. Temperature Sensing Device Comment: The ERTCO thermometer used to verify the laboratory thermometers and temperature sensing devices was last calibrated on March 9, 2009. The last calibration prior to that was on May 31, 2005. The calibration certificate from ERTCO stated a next calibration due date one year later. Page 4 #169 Mount Olive WWTP Lab Requirement: All thermometers must meet National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) specifications for accuracy or be checked, at a minimum annually, against a NIST traceable thermometer and proper corrections made. Ref: 15A NCAC 2H .0805 (a) (7) (O). Ammonia Nitrogen - Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500-NH3 F Recommendation: When performing the distillation study, spike samples with a concentration < 1.0 mg/L to yield a value in the 1 – 5 mg/L range. B. Finding: One mL of 10N NaOH is being added to the sample to elevate the pH to above 11 standard units. However, the pH is not being checked to ensure that 1 mL was enough. Requirement: Add a sufficient volume of 10N NaOH solution (1 mL usually is sufficient) to raise pH above 11. Ref: Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500-NH3 F. (4) (b). Requirement: Record volume of 10N NaOH added in excess of 1 mL and factor into final equation. Ref: Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500-NH3 F. (4) (e) and (5). C. 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: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Policy. D. Finding: A blank and Continuing Calibration Verification (CCV) standard are not being analyzed at the end of the run. Requirement: The calibration blank and mid-range standard must be analyzed initially (i.e., prior to sample analysis), after every tenth sample and at the end of each sample group to check for carry over and calibration drift. If either falls outside established quality control acceptance criteria, corrective action must be taken (e.g., repeating sample determinations since the last acceptable calibration verification, repeating the initial calibration, etc.). Ref: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Policy, based upon Standard Methods, 20th Edition, 1020 B. (10) (c), 3020 B. (2) (b), and 4020 B. (2). Page 4 #169 Mount Olive WWTP Lab Residue, Settleable - Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 2540 F E. Finding: The gentle stir at 45 minutes is not being documented. This is considered pertinent information. Requirement: Settle for 45 min, gently agitate sample near the sides of the cone with a rod or by spinning, settle 15 min longer, and record volume of settleable solids in the cone as milliliters per liter. Ref: Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 2540 F. (3) (a). Requirement: All analytical data pertinent to each certified analysis must be filed in an orderly manner so as to be readily available for inspections upon request. Ref: 15A NCAC 2H .0805 (a) (7) (A). Quality Control F. Finding: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Quality Assurance Plans (QAPs) have not been reviewed and/or updated as necessary. Requirement: Each laboratory shall develop and maintain a document outlining the analytical quality control practices used for the parameters included in their certification. Supporting records shall be maintained as evidence that these practices are being effectively carried out. Ref: 15A NCAC 2H .0805 (a) (7). Recommendation: Review SOPs and QAPs annually and make revisions as necessary. Document both review and revision dates. G. Finding: Temperature logs are not being maintained during the weekend when sample analyses are in progress. Requirement: Each day an incubator, oven, waterbath or refrigerator is used, the temperature must be checked, recorded, and initialed. During each use, the autoclave maximum temperature and pressure must be checked, recorded and initialed. Ref: 15A NCAC 2H .0805 (a) (7) (J). Recommendation: Data logging digital thermometers or continuous chart temperature plotters may be used in place of weekend personnel. IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION: No paper trail was performed. Kristin Jarmen from the Washington Regional Office did a paper trail on April 8, 2009 for data from December, 2007 through December, 2008. Page 4 #169 Mount Olive WWTP Lab 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: June 17, 2009 Report reviewed by: Tony Hatcher Date: June 22, 2009