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HomeMy WebLinkAbout#5660_2023_1109_JP_FINAL NC Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Water Resources | Laboratory Certification Branch 4405 Reedy Creek Road | 1623 Mail Service Center | Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1623 919-733-3908 January 8, 2024 5660 Mr. Stanley (Lee) Buck Stanley C. Buck III 1745 Belgrade - Swansboro Rd Maysville, NC 28555 Subject: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Branch (NC WW/GW LCB) Maintenance Inspection Dear Mr. Buck: Enclosed is a report for the inspection performed on November 9, 2023, by Jill Puff. 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, 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 02H .0800. A copy of the laboratory’s Certified Parameter List at the time of the audit is attached. This list will not 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 have questions or need additional information, please contact me at (919) 745- 4368. Sincerely, Anna Ostendorff Technical Assistance & Compliance Specialist Division of Water Resources Attachment cc: Todd Crawford, Jill Puff, Master File #5660 On-Site Inspection Report LABORATORY NAME: Stanley C. Buck III NPDES PERMIT #: NC0050849 WATER QUALITY PERMIT #: WQ0000986, WQ0002128, WQ0007103, WQ0036766, WQ0002571 ADDRESS: 1745 Belgrade-Swansboro Rd. Maysville, NC 28555 CERTIFICATE #: 5660 DATE OF INSPECTION: November 9, 2023 TYPE OF INSPECTION: Field Commercial Initial AUDITOR(S): Jill Puff LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED: Stanley (Lee) Buck I. INTRODUCTION: This laboratory was inspected by a representative of the North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Branch (NC WW/GW LCB) to verify its compliance with the requirements of 15A NCAC 02H .0800 for the analysis of compliance monitoring samples. II. GENERAL COMMENTS: The facility is neat and well organized and has all the equipment necessary to perform the analyses. The analyst was forthcoming and responded well to suggestions from the auditor. All required Proficiency Testing (PT) Samples have been analyzed for the 2023 PT Calendar Year and the graded results were 100% acceptable. The laboratory did not have Quality Assurance (QA) and/or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document(s) in place for all currently certified parameters. These documents must be submitted for review as specified in Finding A. The laboratory is reminded that SOPs are required to be reviewed at least every two years and are intended to describe procedures exactly as they are to be performed. Use of the word “should” is not appropriate when describing requirements (e.g., Quality Control (QC) frequency, acceptance criteria, etc.). Evaluate all SOPs for the proper use of the word “should”. Contracted analyses are performed by Waypoint Analytical – Greenville (Certification #10) and Environmental Chemists, Inc. (Certification #94). Approved Procedure documents for the analysis of the facility’s currently certified Field Parameters were provided at the time of the inspection. Page 2 #5660 Stanley C. Buck III III. FINDINGS, REQUIREMENTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Documentation A. Finding: SOPs have not been developed for the methods included on the laboratory’s Certified Parameters Listing (CPL). Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. A copy of each analytical method or Approved Procedure and Standard Operating Procedure shall be available to each analyst and available for review upon request by the State Laboratory. Standard Operating Procedure documentation shall state the effective date of the document and shall be reviewed every two years and updated if changes in procedures are made. Each laboratory shall have a formal process to track and document review dates and any revisions made in all Standard Operating Procedure documents. Supporting Records shall be maintained as evidence that these practices are implemented. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Comment: The laboratory must have an updated QC/SOP document for the parameters included on their CPL by February 29, 2024. This must be submitted for review upon completion. SOP templates have been developed and are available for download on the NC WW/GW LCB website. B. Finding: The laboratory does not have benchsheets for all of the permits that it services. Requirement: All laboratories shall use printable laboratory benchsheets. Certified Data shall be traceable to the associated sample analyses and shall consist of: the method or Standard Operating Procedure; the laboratory identification; the instrument identification; the sample collector; the signature or initials of the analyst; the date and time of sample collection; the date of sample analyses; the time of sample analyses (when required to document a required holding time or when time-critical steps are imposed by the method, a federal regulation, or this Rule); sample identification; sample preparation, where applicable; the volume of sample analyzed, where applicable; the proper units of measure; the dilution factor, where applicable; all manual calculations; the quality control assessments; the value from the measurement system; the final value to be reported; and any other data needed to reconstruct the final calculated result. Each item shall be recorded each time samples are analyzed. Analyses shall conform to methodologies found in Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (2) (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), (L), (M), (N), (O), (P), (Q) and (R). Comment: The analytical results for the below listed permits were entered directly onto the facility Non-Discharge Monitoring Report (NDMR). The NDMR does not meet the documentation requirements of a laboratory benchsheet. • WQ0036766 – Cedar Point WWTP • WQ0002571 – Village Oaks Mobile Home Park WWTP • WQ0000986 – Island Beach and Racquet Club WWTP • WQ0002128 – Pebble Beach WWTP • WQ0002571 – Village Oaks WWTP Comment: The laboratory was supplied with example benchsheets at the time of the audit. C. Finding: Error corrections are not performed properly. Page 3 #5660 Stanley C. Buck III Requirement: All documentation errors shall be corrected by drawing a single line through the error so that the original entry remains legible. Entries shall not be obliterated by erasures or markings. Wite-Out®, correction tape, or similar products designed to obliterate documentation are not to be used; instead the correction shall be written adjacent to the error. The correction shall be initialed by the responsible individual and the date of change documented. All manual data and log entries shall be written in indelible ink. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (1). Comment: Error corrections are not dated or initialed. D. Finding: The laboratory benchsheet is lacking required documentation: the method or Standard Operating Procedure reference; the laboratory identification and sample identification. Requirement: All laboratories shall use printable laboratory benchsheets. Certified Data shall be traceable to the associated sample analyses and shall consist of: the method or Standard Operating Procedure; the laboratory identification and sample identification. Each item shall be recorded each time samples are analyzed. Analyses shall conform to methodologies found in Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (2) (A) (B) and (I). Comment: This Finding applies to Silverdale Elementary School WWTP (NC0050849). E. Finding: The laboratory benchsheet is lacking required documentation: the instrument identification. Requirement: All laboratories shall use printable laboratory benchsheets. Certified Data shall be traceable to the associated sample analyses and shall consist of: the instrument identification. Each item shall be recorded each time samples are analyzed. Analyses shall conform to methodologies found in Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (2) (C). Comment: This Finding applies to Temperature and to Dissolved Oxygen (DO) for Silverdale Elementary School WWTP (NC0050849). F. Finding: The laboratory benchsheet is lacking required documentation: the signature or initials of the analyst. Requirement: All laboratories shall use printable laboratory benchsheets. Certified Data shall be traceable to the associated sample analyses and shall consist of: the sample collector and the signature or initials of the analyst. Each item shall be recorded each time samples are analyzed. Analyses shall conform to methodologies found in Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (2) (E). Comment: This Finding applies to Silverdale Elementary School WWTP (NC0050849). Recommendation: The laboratory may choose to add a blanket statement to the benchsheet that the sample collector and analyst are the same unless otherwise noted. G. Finding: Only one time for sample collection and analysis is documented without noting samples are analyzed in situ. Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Page 4 #5660 Stanley C. Buck III Requirement: The following must be documented in indelible ink whenever sample analysis is performed: Date and time of sample collection; Date and time of sample analysis - Alternatively, one time may be documented for collection and analysis with the notation that samples are measured in situ or immediately at the sampling site (i.e., immediately following collection at a location as near to the collection point as possible). When this 'one time' option is used, state that the documented time is both collection and analysis time. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Temperature. Requirement: Date and time of sample analysis must be documented to verify the 15-minute holding time is being met. Alternatively, one time may be documented for collection and analysis with the notation that samples are measured in situ or immediately at the sampling site. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Dissolved Oxygen (DO), NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Total Residual Chlorine (DPD Colorimetric by SM 4500 Cl G-2011) and NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of pH. Comment: When this ‘one time’ option is used, state that the documented time is both collection and analysis time. H. Finding: The units of measure are not consistently documented on the benchsheets. Requirement: All laboratories shall use printable laboratory benchsheets. Certified Data shall be traceable to the associated sample analyses and shall consist of: the proper units of measure. Each item shall be recorded each time samples are analyzed. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (2) (L). Comment: This Finding applies to Total Residual Chlorine (TRC), pH and Temperature for Silverdale Elementary School WWTP (NC0050849). I. Finding: The laboratory benchsheet is lacking required documentation: meter calibration time. Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: The following must be documented in indelible ink whenever sample analysis is performed: Meter calibration and/or verification date and time(s). Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Dissolved Oxygen (DO). Requirement: The following must be documented in indelible ink whenever sample analysis is performed: Meter calibration and meter calibration time(s). Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of pH. J. Finding: The laboratory is not documenting the variables used to calibrate the DO meter. Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: The following must be documented in indelible ink whenever sample analysis is performed: Calibration variables (temperature, elevation or barometric pressure [in mmHg], and salinity). Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Dissolved Oxygen (DO). Page 5 #5660 Stanley C. Buck III Requirement: Per NC WW/GW LC Branch policy, facilities may use the Salinity default value of zero when calibrating the DO meter unless it is known or suspected that the Salinity value of the samples being analyzed is > 9 ppt. In those situations, actual Salinity values must be used. Regardless of which value is used, it must be documented. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Dissolved Oxygen (DO). K. Finding: The laboratory benchsheet is lacking required documentation: Date of most recent TRC calibration curve verification. Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: The following must be documented in indelible ink whenever sample analysis is performed: Date of most recent calibration curve generation or calibration curve verification. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Total Residual Chlorine (DPD Colorimetric by SM 4500 Cl G-2011). L. Finding: The laboratory is not documenting all traceability information for purchased materials, reagents and standards. Requirement: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (a) (7) (K) and (g) (7) requires laboratories to have a documented system of traceability for the purchase, preparation, and use of all chemicals, reagents, standards, and consumables. That system must include documentation of the following information: Date received, Date Opened (in use), Vendor, Lot Number, and Expiration Date (where specified). 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 solution. This information as well as the vendor and/or manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date must be retained for primary standards, chemicals, reagents, and materials used for a period of five years. Consumable materials such as pH buffers, lots of pre-made standards and/or media, solids and bacteria filters, etc. are included in this requirement. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Traceability Documentation Requirements for Chemicals, Reagents, Standards and Consumables Policy (03/27/2020). Comment: Dates received and opened were written on the DPD indicator and pH buffer bottles, as required. While this can provide a traceability link to analyses while the chemicals are still in use, that link is lost once the bottles are discarded. Comment: A traceability log was provided to the laboratory during the audit. Proficiency Testing M. Finding: The laboratory is not documenting PT Sample analyses in the same manner as routine Compliance Samples. Requirement: All PT Sample analyses must be recorded in the same daily analysis records (e.g., benchsheets) as for any Compliance Sample. This serves as the permanent laboratory record. Ref: Proficiency Testing Requirements, January 1, 2023, Revision 6, Section 3.6. Requirement: The laboratory shall retain all records necessary to facilitate historical reconstruction of the analysis and reporting of analytical results for PT Samples. This means the laboratory must have available and retain for five years [pursuant to 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (a) (7) (E) and (g) (1)] all of the raw data, including benchsheets, instrument printouts and Page 6 #5660 Stanley C. Buck III calibration data, for all PT Sample analyses and the associated QC analyses conducted by all Parameter Methods. Ref: Proficiency Testing Requirements, January 1, 2023, Revision 6, Section 4.0. Comment: The laboratory enters the results directly onto the vendor website. N. Finding: The laboratory is not documenting the preparation of PT Samples. Requirement: PT Samples received as ampules are diluted according to the Accredited PT Sample Provider’s instructions. It is important to remember to document the preparation of PT Samples in a traceable log or other traceable format. The diluted PT Sample then becomes a routine Compliance Sample and is added to a routine sample batch for analysis. No documentation is needed for whole volume PT Samples which require no preparation, however the instructions must be maintained. Ref: Proficiency Testing Requirements, January 1, 2023, Revision 6, Section 3.6. Comment: This Finding applies to TRC. Comment: Dating and initialing the instruction sheet for each prepared PT Sample would satisfy the documentation requirement. O. Finding: The laboratory does not have a documented plan for PT procedures. Requirement: Laboratory Procedures. Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. A copy of each analytical method or Approved Procedure and Standard Operating Procedure shall be available to each analyst and available for review upon request by the State Laboratory. Standard Operating Procedure documentation shall state the effective date of the document and shall be reviewed every two years and updated if changes in procedures are made. Each laboratory shall have a formal process to track and document review dates and any revisions made in all Standard Operating Procedure documents. Supporting Records shall be maintained as evidence that these practices are implemented. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: Laboratories must have a documented plan [this is usually detailed in the laboratory’s Quality Assurance Manual or may be a separate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)] of how they intend to cover the applicable program requirements for Proficiency Testing per their scope of accreditation. This plan shall cover any commercially available PT Samples and any inter-laboratory organized studies, as applicable. The plan must also address the laboratory’s process for submission of PT Sample results and related Corrective Action Reports (CARs). Ref: Proficiency Testing Requirements, January 1, 2023, Revision 6, Section 3.0. Comment: The laboratory’s PT procedure may be outlined in each of the applicable parameter SOPs. The NC WW/GW LCB SOP Templates include a section for the PT procedure. Quality Assurance/Quality Control P. Finding: The laboratory is lacking a documented training program. Requirement: Each laboratory shall develop and implement a documented training program that includes the following: that staff have the education, training, experience, or demonstrated skills needed to generate quality control results within method-specified limits and that meet the requirements of these Rules; that staff have read the laboratory quality assurance manual Page 7 #5660 Stanley C. Buck III or applicable Standard Operating Procedures; that staff have obtained acceptable results on Proficiency Testing Samples pursuant to Rule .0803(1) of this Section or other demonstrations of proficiency (e.g., side-by-side comparison with a trained analyst, acceptable results on a single-blind performance evaluation sample, an initial demonstration of capability study prescribed by the reference method). Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (5). Comment: The laboratory’s training program may be outlined in each of the applicable parameter SOPs. The NC WW/GW LCB SOP Templates include an Employee Training section. pH - Standard Methods, 4500 H+ B-2011 (Aqueous) Q. Finding: The laboratory is not using fresh aliquots of standard buffers to calibrate the pH meter each day. Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: A portion of the standard buffer is not to be used for more than one calibration. Discard any used buffer portions. Do not pour unused portions back into the original bottle. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of pH. Comment: Current laboratory practice is to use fresh aliquots of buffer on a weekly basis. R. Finding: The acceptance criterion for the check standard buffer is not being assessed and documented. Requirement: All laboratories shall use printable laboratory benchsheets. Certified Data shall be traceable to the associated sample analyses and shall consist of: the quality control assessments. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (2) (O). Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: All check standard buffers must read within ±0.1 S.U. to be acceptable. If the meter verification does not read within ±0.1 S.U., corrective actions must be taken before any samples are analyzed. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of pH. Comment: There were no observed instances where the check buffer was out of the acceptance range. S. Finding: The laboratory is not analyzing a post-analysis check standard buffer when the meter is transported by vehicle to another location after calibration. Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: A post-analysis calibration verification must be performed at the end of the run any time the meter is transported by vehicle to another location after calibration. It is recommended that a mid-day check standard buffer be analyzed when samples are analyzed over an extended period of time. The post-analysis check standard buffer(s) must read within ±0.1 S.U. or corrective actions must be taken. If recalibration is necessary, all samples analyzed since the last acceptable calibration verification must be reanalyzed, if possible. If Page 8 #5660 Stanley C. Buck III samples cannot be reanalyzed, the data must be qualified. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of pH. Comment: The language in the Approved Procedure was updated after the audit to clarify the existing requirement regarding the post-analysis check standard buffer. The laboratory will need to follow this to be compliant going forward. T. Finding: Values were reported that exceed the method specified accuracy of 0.1 units. Requirement: By careful use of a laboratory pH meter with good electrodes, a precision of ±0.02 unit and an accuracy of ±0.05 unit can be achieved. However, ± 0.1 pH unit represents the limit of accuracy under normal conditions, especially for measurement of water and poorly buffered solutions. For this reason, report pH values to the nearest 0.1 pH unit. Ref: Standard Methods, 4500 H+ B-2011. (6). Comment: Per PT Vendor instructions, the PT Sample results should be reported to two decimal places, which is an exception to the requirement for Compliance Samples. Recommendation: The laboratory currently reports pH sample results to two decimal places. It is recommended that the laboratory continue to measure and document sample results on the benchsheet to two decimal places, and to round to the nearest 0.1 S.U. when reporting results on the DMR. Chlorine, Total Residual – Standard Methods, 4500 Cl G-2011 (Aqueous) U. Finding: The laboratory has not assigned a true value to the gel-type standard. Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: Purchased “gel-type” or sealed liquid standards may be used only for daily calibration curve verifications. These standards must have a true value assigned initially and every 12 months thereafter. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Total Residual Chlorine (DPD Colorimetric by SM 4500 Cl G-2011). Comment: When a true value is assigned every 12 months, gel-type standards may be used after the manufacturer’s expiration date. It is only necessary to assign a true value to the gel- type or sealed liquid standard which falls within the concentration range of the calibration curve used to measure sample concentrations. For example, if samples are analyzed on a low- range calibration curve (e.g., 10 - 500 μg/L), a 200 μg/L standard would be verified, and not the 800 μg/L standard. Comment: The gel/sealed liquid standard true value assignment must be performed for each instrument on which they are to be used. If multiple instruments and/or standard sets are used, each must have assigned true values specific for the instrument and standard set. Documentation must link the gel/sealed liquid standard identification to the meter with which the assigned value was determined. V. Finding: The laboratory is not verifying the instrument’s Factory-set Calibration Curve every 12 months. Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Page 9 #5660 Stanley C. Buck III Requirement: Annual Factory-set Calibration Curve Verification: This type of calibration curve verification must be performed initially, at least every 12 months and any time the instrument optics are serviced. Zero the instrument with a Calibration Blank and then analyze a Method Blank and a series of five standards (do not use gel or sealed liquid standards for this purpose). The calibration standard values obtained must not vary by more than ±10% from the known value for standard concentrations greater than or equal to 50 μg/L and must not vary by more than ±25% from the known value for standard concentrations less than 50 μg/L. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Total Residual Chlorine (DPD Colorimetric by SM 4500 Cl G-2011). Comment: A calibration curve verification was performed on October 16, 2023, by Environmental Chemists, Inc. The verification had not been performed previously. W. Finding: The laboratory is not analyzing a Post-analysis Calibration Verification Standard when the meter is transported by vehicle after calibration verification. Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: A post-analysis calibration verification must be performed at the end of the run any time the meter is transported by vehicle to another location after calibration verification. It is recommended that a mid-day calibration verification be performed when samples are analyzed over an extended period of time. The value obtained for the Post-analysis Calibration Verification Standard must read within ±10% of the true value of the Post-analysis Calibration Verification Standard for standards ≥50 µg/L and within ±25% of its true value for standards <50 µg/L. If the obtained value is outside of the acceptance limits, corrective action must be taken. Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Total Residual Chlorine (DPD Colorimetric by SM 4500 Cl G-2011). Comment: The language in the Approved Procedure was updated after the audit to clarify the existing requirement regarding the post-analysis calibration verification standard. The laboratory will need to follow this to be compliant going forward. Temperature – Standard Methods, 2550 B-2010 (Aqueous) X. Finding: The temperature sensor on meters used to obtain reported temperature values has not been checked against a Reference Temperature-Measuring Device (every 12 months). Requirement: Laboratory procedures shall comply with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (4). Requirement: All compliance temperature-measuring devices without an NIST traceable certificate, or with an expired NIST traceable certificate, must be verified against a Reference Temperature-Measuring Device and the process documented initially and every 12 months. Verification documentation must include the serial number of the device being checked. The serial number, stated accuracy and expiration date of the Reference Temperature-Measuring Device used in the comparison must also be documented. Verification data must be kept on file and be available for inspection for 5 years. (Note: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 compliant vendors or other Certified laboratories may provide assistance in meeting this requirement. When an ISO compliant vendor provides this assistance, they must provide the serial number, accuracy and calibration date for the Reference Temperature-Measuring Device used for the verification. When a Certified laboratory provides this service, they must provide a copy of the NIST traceable certificate of Page 10 #5660 Stanley C. Buck III the Reference Temperature-Measuring Device used for the verification). Ref: NC WW/GW LCB Approved Procedure for the Analysis of Temperature. Comment: A thermometer verification was performed on October 16, 2023, by Environmental Chemists, Inc. The verification had not been performed previously. IV. CONCLUSIONS: Correcting the above-cited Findings 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, implementation dates and steps taken to prevent recurrence for each corrective action. Report prepared by: Jill Puff Date: November 17, 2023 Report reviewed by: Jason Smith Date: November 21, 2023 Certificate Number:5660 Effective Date:1/1/2023 Expiration Date:12/31/2023 Lab Name:Stanley C. Buck III Address:1745 Belgrade - Swansboro Rd Maysville, NC 28555 North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Certified Parameters Listing Date of Last Amendment:9/22/2021 The above named laboratory, having duly met the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H.0800, is hereby certified for the measurement of the parameters listed below. CERTIFIED PARAMETERS INORGANIC CHLORINE, TOTAL RESIDUAL SM 4500 Cl G-2011 (Aqueous) DISSOLVED OXYGEN SM 4500 O G-2016 (Aqueous) pH SM 4500 H+B-2011 (Aqueous) TEMPERATURE SM 2550 B-2010 (Aqueous) This certification requires maintance of an acceptable quality assurance program, use of approved methodology, and satisfactory performance on evaluation samples. Laboratories are subject to civil penalties and/or decertification for infractions as set forth in 15A NCAC 2H.0807.