Attachment 3 - Specific CRP Laboratory Requirements.pdf

Attachment 3 Specific CRP Laboratory Requirements (from the TCEQ Clean Rivers Program FY2012-2013 Guidance dated February 1, 2011, Task 2 Quality Assurance, pages 2-12 to 2-14, http://www.tceq.texas.gov/waterquality/clean-rivers/guidance/index.html) Basin Planning Agency = USIBWC

Specific CRP Laboratory Requirements

Ambient Water Reporting Limits (AWRLs) For surface water to be evaluated for compliance with Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (TSWQS) (30 TAC §307.1 ‐ 307.10) and screening levels, data must be reported at or below specified levels. To ensure data are collected at or below these levels, required reporting specifications (AWRLs) were established early in the CRP.

A workgroup was established in the summer of 2001 to ensure reporting limit requirements were properly aligned with the TCEQ’s data needs. To set AWRLs appropriately, the workgroup first looked at how data would be compared against the TSWQSs. Ultimately, the lowest standard or screening level was used to set each AWRL at a meaningful level. The parameters for which AWRLs have been established are available electronically (see www.texascleanrivers.org and click on Program Resources > Quality Assurance).

While the AWRL is the program‐defined reporting specification for each analyte, most laboratories report data based on the concept of a limit of quantitation (LOQ). A limit of quantitation (is the minimum level, concentration, or quantity of a target variable (e.g., target analyte) that can be reported with a specified degree of confidence. The following requirements must be met in order to report results to the CRP:

• The laboratory’s LOQ for each analyte must be at or below the AWRL as a matter of routine practice

• The laboratory must demonstrate its ability to quantitate at its LOQ for each analyte by running an LOQ check sample for each analytical batch of CRP Samples analyzed.

• The requirements for lab control check samples are described in Section B5 of the QAPP shell.

The laboratory should be instructed to analyze a calibration standard (if applicable) at the LOQ on each day CRP samples are analyzed. Two acceptance criteria must be met: (1) Calibrations (including the standard at the LOQ) must meet the calibration requirements of the analytical method, and (2) The laboratory will analyze an LOQ check sample for each analytical batch of CRP samples analyzed.

For certain parameters that are routinely reported close to the LOQ, Laboratory Control Samples (LCS) should be run at the LOQ. These parameters include nutrients and metals in water.

Authorized Laboratory Methods Analytical methodologies under the CRP are specified in the TSWQS. The TSWQS mandate that procedures for laboratory analysis will be in accordance with:

• the most recently published edition of the book entitled Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater

• the latest version of the Surface Water Quality Monitoring Procedures (RG 415 and RG 416)

• 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 136

• other reliable procedures acceptable to the Agency

Changes to 40 CFR §136 became effective March 12, 2007. These changes allow the use of 189 updated methods from the 19th and 20th editions of Standard Methods in addition to the methods approved earlier for use. Requirements for analytical methodologies are specified in the QAPP shell document.

Statistical Control of Precision and Bias Analytical laboratories must have a statistical process in place to review results as applicable to control on‐going performance. To generate data for the CRP, the laboratories’ control limits must be set and controlled within the bounds set by the measurement performance specifications for laboratory control samples (LCS) and LCS/LCS duplicates as defined in Table A7 of the QAPP. FY The most common method of statistical process control involves the use of control charts as described in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater or the EPA Handbook for Analytical Quality Control in Water and Wastewater Laboratories. (Computer‐generated lists or databases with values, limits, and trends may be used as an alternative to control charts.)

Laboratory Test Reports Laboratory test reports (if applicable for routine water quality data analysis) should be clear, unambiguous and, at a minimum, contain the information specified in the NELAC Standards. The information required by NELAC with test reports is required even if the data are transmitted from the laboratories in event result format unless the laboratory has valid reasons for not doing so. In addition to the specified information, test reports for the CRP should include project‐specific quality control results such as equipment, trip, and field blank results, bacteria holding time, as applicable.

It is important for laboratories to provide narrative information about why results were not compliant with specifications as stated in the “Laboratory Data Review” section. Without this information, Basin Planning Agency data management staff cannot verify and validate data and provide required information on the Data Summary when data are submitted to the TCEQ. Copies of test reports will be reviewed during monitoring systems audits. Information regarding standard test report format is contained in the QAPP shell document. Additional information may be requested.

Laboratory Data Review The laboratory’s role in the review of CRP data is very important. At a minimum, all laboratory data must be reviewed (as described under “Data Review, Verification and Validation” in this Task).

Laboratories should have SOPs in place to ensure data are free from transcription and calculation errors, all quality control measures are reviewed and evaluated, and project specifications are met.

Laboratory data review records must be signed and dated by the analyst reviewer(s) and/or the Laboratory QA Officer.

The use of data review checklists by the laboratory is encouraged. If any requirements or specifications are not met, based on the data review, the laboratory should document the deficiencies and submit the information in the report narrative to the Planning Agency with the data. In turn, this information must be communicated to the TCEQ by the Planning Agency in the

Data Summary.