1. Certification Update New and Some Not-So-New Items of Interest steve_arms@doh.state.fl.us 904-791-1502 http://www.doh.state.fl.us/lab/EnvLabCert/Water Cert.htm http://www.doh.state.fl.us/lab/EnvLabCert/Water Cert.htm

2. Topics The NELAC Institute (TNI) Proficiency Testing (PT) Rules Certification clarifications

3. http://www.NELAC-Institute.org

4. Current Status of TNI Standards Field Activities and AB General Requirements and OSA modules are Final Standards Draft Interim Standards (QS and PT) vote held in July Comments discussed at The Forum in Cambridge Committees modify the modules as a result of persuasive comments received, and the membership will have the opportunity to change their votes Resulting IS will be discussed at the Jan 2008 meeting Voting follows Final QS and PT Standards by about May 2008 2-yr implementation schedule, if current system followed

5. TNI Update New Policies  Conflict-of-Interest  Ethical Conduct Transition from NELAC almost complete (only AARB remains) QM template available Standards w/ISO coming out for sale

6. TNI Cambridge Forum presentations Activities of the NELAC Institute EPA's Drinking Water Certification Program: History, Status and Direction Who Accredits the Accreditors? Identifying Deficiencies and Implementing Corrective Actions Accreditation Body Fee Structures Comparison Table of Accreditation Body Fees Advocacy Committee On-Site Assessment Committee Laboratory Accreditation System Committee Mentoring Session NELAP Board Technical Assistance Committee

7. Proficiency Testing timing 2 per year (July 1-June 30) per FoPT (matrix-technology-analyte) No more than 7 months (closing to closing) between studies No less than 15 days (closing to shipping) between subsequent studies for each FoPT Every certified DW method once per year No more than 45 days from shipping to closing (supplemental studies included!)

8. Proficiency Testing success measures Pass two of the latest three attempts Participate in experimental PTs Choose Florida as recipient of results on or prior to study closing date (exception: FoPTs applied for) Stay on schedule - missed studies (>7 months between) count as failures

9. Proficiency Testing restrictions Don’t transfer PTs Don’t exchange information Handle and analyze PTs like samples Complete PTs by the time of an assessment for pending FOAs Use the PT Tables as your guide to selecting required FoPTs

10. Conditions on PT as DOC The "4-replicate" procedure outlined in Appendix C.1 to NELAC Chapter 5 is not required by regulation or the method. The method does not specify a DOC procedure. Quality Manual documents that using a PT to demonstrate initial capability is an adequate approach. The PT is in the correct matrix. Reported results fall within any QC acceptance criteria of the method.

11. PT News New tables in effect posted at http://www.nelac- institute.org/http://www.nelac- institute.org/ Some “experimental” analytes moved to “accreditation” status New Solids table lists two levels for Volatiles and PAHs (NELAP Board is deliberating on this) ELCP now tracking PT electronically  Use your EPA ID when reporting  Report the certified method TNI PT Committee considering reverting to one PT per year – Stay tuned!

12. Certification Application Form DW methods listed are not necessarily “approved” for compliance testing Every FOA available is not listed Consolidate applications, if possible Pages 1-6 needed (instructions on page 3) Submit QM or modified pages Off-site documentation review possible

13. Rule Updates MUR 62-160 DBPR

14. Methods Update Rule SM online and SM 21 st Edition are the same Method flexibility in 136.6 is not applicable to DW Method modifications must meet requirements of 136.6 Nitrate CR method now shown as calculation Discrete analyzers  May have EPA letter or have 136.6 documentation  May reference automated methods

15. DEP Rule 62-160 Post- Workshop Update Added a provision to use DW methods NPW where no other method exists. Removed additional mandatory reporting requirements and added a clarification about the use of data qualifier codes by entities other than the data originator. Simplified and generalized electronic signatures. Removed Table 2 (DQIs) and incorporated its contents into DEP-EA-001/07 with substantial revision. Clarified data assessment criteria. Clarified the intent and procedures for data rejection. Clarified the definitions for qualifier codes J, V, X.

16. Disinfection By-Products Stage 2 DBPR MRLs defined for TTHM, HAA5, Chlorite, Bromate Calibration curve must encompass MRL Check standard run at < 110% of MRL Must achieve + 50% recovery to report results < 5X MRL DEP will reject data if the reported MDL > MRL and a non-detect is reported

17. Recent Clarifications Sample preservation Sample duplicates SM 21 st Edition Distillation Method version

18. Cooling as Sample Preservation Samples must be collected in “wet” ice Same-day delivery  Off-temp sample acceptable if chilling process has begun  Still record temperature and document “on- ice”

19. Microbiology Sample Preservation Recommend all samples be checked for TRC Chlorine check as a part of determining proper preservation when sodium thiosulfate is used DEP rules require the use of thiosulfate "in the presence of residual chlorine" for preservation of Microbiology samples Measure the TRC and add preservative if necessary NELAC 5.5.8.3.1(a)(3) exemptions

20. Duplicates Microbiology duplicates are to be analyzed on 10% of samples, not plates, or at least one per run (an uninterrupted series of analyses) Chemistry MS/MSD does not qualify as a sample duplicate when one is required by method

21. SM 21 st Edition News CBOD  Allylthiourea (ATU) allowed as nitrification inhibitor  Inhibitor not added to water quality check (blank) Microbiology media in screw-cap tubes may be stored at 25 o C for up to 2 weeks

22. Distillation EPA Region 4 requires distillation of samples for fluoride and ammonia unless a comparative study has been performed to demonstrate that the distillation is not necessary Statistically compare values on at least 7 samples If the comparative data shows no difference, then the variance of not distilling is acceptable Comparison must be performed on representative effluents If the waste stream changes and is no longer representative then another study must be performed

23. Method Version “Most recent” revisited NELAC 5.5.4.2.1 - Methods published in international, regional or national standards shall preferably be used. The laboratory shall ensure that it uses the latest valid edition of a standard unless it is not appropriate or possible to do so NELAC 5.5.2.6 - technical personnel … perform the most recent version of the test method (the approved method or standard operating procedure as defined by the laboratory document control system)

24. Plain Language A perissodactyl ungulate may be propelled toward a body of aqueous fluid, but such ungulates cannot be forcibly induced to imbibe such fluid.

25. Plain Language You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

26. Thank You!