#5345_2021_0217_TLH_FINAL

On-Site Inspection Report

LABORATORY NAME: Town of Winton WWTP
WATER QUALITY PERMIT #: WQ0001602
ADDRESS: 531 US 158 W
Winton, NC 27986
CERTIFICATE #: 5345
DATE OF INSPECTION: February 17, 2021
TYPE OF INSPECTION: Field Municipal Maintenance
AUDITOR: Tom Halvosa
LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED: Tyler Hughes, Chris Blackburn

I. INTRODUCTION:

This laboratory was inspected by a representative of the North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater
Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC) program 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 staff were forthcoming and responded well to suggestions from the auditor.

All required Proficiency Testing (PT) Samples for the 2021 Calendar Year have not yet been analyzed.
The laboratory is reminded that results must be received by this office directly from the vendor by
September 30, 2021.

Contracted analyses are performed by Environment 1, Inc. (Certification #10).

Approved Procedure documents for the analysis of the facility’s currently certified Field Parameters
were provided at the time of the inspection.

The laboratory submitted their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents in advance of the
inspection. These documents were reviewed and deemed acceptable.

The laboratory is reminded that any time changes are made to laboratory procedures, the laboratory
must update the QA/SOP document(s) and inform relevant staff. Any changes made in response to the
pre-audit review or to Findings, Recommendations or Comments listed in this report must be
incorporated to insure the method is being performed as stated, references to methods are accurate,
and the QA and/or SOP document(s) is in agreement with each approved practice, test, analysis,
measurement, monitoring procedure or regulatory requirement being used in the laboratory. In some
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instances, the laboratory may need to create an SOP to document how new functions or policies will be
implemented.

The laboratory is also 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”.

III. FINDINGS, REQUIREMENTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Documentation

A. Finding: The laboratory benchsheet for Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) and pH are lacking
required documentation: Units of measure.

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. Analyses shall
conform to methodologies found in Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H
.0805 (g) (2) (L).

Comment: The units of measure for TRC must be documented and reported as specified
in the permit.

B. Finding: Error corrections are not properly performed.

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. Ref: 15A NCAC 02H .0805 (g) (1).

Comment: The laboratory is using Wite-Out® to perform error corrections. The laboratory
was instructed not use Wite-Out® and to perform error corrections by striking out error with
one line then dating and initialing.

IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION:

The paper trail consisted of comparing original records (e.g., laboratory benchsheets, logbooks, etc.)
and contract laboratory reports to DMRs submitted to the North Carolina Division of Water Resources.
Data were reviewed for Town of Winton WWTP (Water Quality permit # WQ0001602) for January, June
and December 2020. No transcription errors were observed. The facility appears to be doing a good job
of accurately transcribing data.

V. 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 correcti ve
action.

Report prepared by: Tom Halvosa Date: February 23, 2021
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Report reviewed by: Tonja Springer Date: February 24, 2021