1. Panhandling & Other Lab Procedures Illinois EPA Checks
Fox Valley Operators Association ~
Algonquin
August 18, 2011
Charles Corley
Illinois EPA
5/1/2019

2. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
Illinois EPA FOS Goals
Comply with provisions of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, Water Pollutions Regulations of Illinois, and the Clean Water Act
Assure uniform, reproducible, and accurate results
Conform to the NPDES Permit requirements
Assure accurate DMR data
Detect possible errors
Review or Recommend QA/QC program
Relay to the lab the essential reasons for reliability
Provides references and resources
NOT an Audit.
1-May-19

3. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
Areas (some) to Look at:
Glassware and Sample-ware
Collection and Transport
Chain of Custody
Individual Parameters Procedures
Records & Data Validity
Equipment Maintenance and Adjustments
QA/QC program
DMR comparison.
1-May-19

4. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
I. Glassware and Sample-ware
Sample Bottles
Type - material
Lab Glassware
Accuracy – size and graduations
Cleaning – solutions and frequency
Storage
Replacement.
1-May-19

5. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
II. Sample Collection and Transport
Location, location, location
Container:
Composite vs. Grab
Cleanliness
Buckets, ropes, sampling sticks
Interferences
Applicability to Permit
Basic Preservation:
Chilling
Chemical preservatives.
1-May-19

6. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
III. Chain of Custody - Recorded
Where
When
By whom
Time of sample
Sample period
Time shipped
Time of arrival
Receipt
Documented?
1-May-19

7. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
Individual Parameters/Procedures
References Cited
BOD (and Inhibited BOD) pH
Total Suspended Solids
Fecal Coliform
Ammonia-N
References Followed?!
1-May-19

8. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
Individual Parameters Procedures
BOD and Inhibited BOD
Glassware
Incubator
Dilutions
DO Readings
Seed
Calculations
Chlorine
Blank
Elapsed time
Frequency?
1-May-19

9. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
Individual Parameters Procedures pH
Method
Probe
Standards – two
Calibration process?
1-May-19

10. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
IV. Individual Parameters Procedures
Total Suspended Solids
Sample: handling / preparation /quantity
Glassware / Crucible
Filter pads
Oven
Cooling / Desiccant
Balance pan-handling
Weights
Records.
1-May-19

11. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
IV. Individual Parameters Procedures
Fecal Coliform
Sampling
Handling
Method
Cleanliness / Sterilization
Incubation.
1-May-19

12. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
IV. Individual Parameters Procedures
Ammonia-N
Sample: collection / handling / preparation
Preservation
Expected Range of results
Interferences
Method
Care of equipment and supplies
Results / calculations?
1-May-19

13. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
V. Lab Records & Validity
Format
Type
Backup
Sequential
Storage
Past
Signed
Accessible?
1-May-19

14. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
VI. Equipment Maintenance and Adjustments
pH & NH-3 Meters
DO Meters
Balance pans
Weights and measures
Standardizations
Standards
Maintenance
By Whom?
1-May-19

15. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
VII. QA/QC Program
Reference/Method
Internal vs. External
Commercial
Recovery vs. Accuracy
Round Robin
What’s included
Equipment
Discrepancies
Corrections?
PASS!
1-May-19

16. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
VIII. DMR Comparison
Do lab results match
Paper vs. e-DMR
Mock DMR
Timely
Transposing accurate?
1-May-19

17. What is a EPA Lab Evaluation?
A Performance Tool
An Educational Tool
Another Perspective
One of many Compliance Tools
Assure all pieces of the puzzle fit.
1-May-19

18. Illinois EPA Lab Evaluations
Questions?
1-May-19