Special Application Requirements

Initial Demonstration of Capability (IDC)
& Method Detection Limit (MDL) Results

The table below summarizes the analytes, technologies, and matrices for which laboratories are required to submit either MDL, IDC, or both IDC and MDL data along with their application.

Technology	Analyte (or Analyte Group)	Required Data
Gravimetric, HEM	Hexane Extractable Materials	MDL and IPR as specified in EPA Method 1664
IC (Ion Chromatography)	Any Anions by Ion Chromatography	MDLs for each analyte under application
HPLC and LC/MS	All analytes and analyte groups	MDLs and IDCs for each technology and analyte under application
GC and GC/MS	VOCs, BNA, Acid Herbicides; Organophosphorus Pesticides; Nitrogen, Triazine and Metabolite Pesticides, Organochlorine Pesticides; Polychlorinated Biphenyls	MDLs and IDCs for each technology and analyte under application
GC, Class; Petroleum Hydrocarbons	Gasoline Range Organics (GRO); Diesel Range Organics (DRO); Petroleum Volatile Organics (PVOC)	MDLs and IDCs by the Wisconsin methods are required in both soil and water matrices.
Drinking Water matrix	All analytes and methods covered under the Drinking Water test category	MDLs are required for all inorganic and organic analytes for each combination of analyte and method. IDCs are required only for each combination of organic analyte and method.

Per s. NR 149.14 (1)(e), Wis. Adm. Code, the Department may request, on a case-by-case basis, any additional information necessary to demonstrate a laboratory's compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

Applying for Drinking Water (SDWA) Certification

Laboratories applying for Safe Drinking Water Testing are required to comply with all the requirements of EPA's Drinking Water Certification Manual, as well as meet the criteria listed below.

Submit acceptable PE samples from one of the approved water supply sample providers.

Laboratories applying for Drinking Water certification must submit Initial Demonstrations of Capability (precision and accuracy) for each organic analyte and method. The instructions for the IDCs are typically found in the methods.

Laboratories applying for Drinking Water certification must submit Method Detection Limit (MDL) studies for each analyte (organic and inorganic) and method.

Applying for Petroleum Hydrocarbons Certification or Registration

Wisconsin has a unique Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) program which is different from many other states' programs. Primarily, the Department of Natural Resources has developed its own sampling and analytical methods for gasoline range organics (GRO) [WI-PUBL- SW-140] and diesel range organics (DRO) [WI-PUBL-SW-141]. Laboratories applying for Wisconsin certification are required to use the latest version of these methods which are available on the REMEDIATION AND REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WEB PAGE AT http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/aw/rr/archives/pubs/SW140.pdf . Alternatively, they are available for a shipping and handling fee from the Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707, phone (608) 261-264-6020.

In addition to meeting all usual the requirements for completing the application, laboratories that are applying for certification for petroleum hydrocarbons must include the following information with the application:

• GRO & DRO and PVOC initial demonstrations of capability (IDCs) in soil and water.
• Method detection limits for GRO, DRO, & PVOCs in soil and water.
• Calibration information (including standards used, peak areas, and linear regression data) and sample chromatograms for all parameters.
• Acceptable PE samples from one of several approved providers. Refer to the Parameter-Specific PT Provider Approval List"

Listed below are common problems that the Department finds with Petroleum Hydrocarbon Analyses. Please make sure that your lab corrects these problems BEFORE you apply.

• Using internal standards and the "average response factor".
• Forcing the Y intercept through zero.
• Using unknown or non-linear regressions.
• Identifying contaminant peaks in component standards.
• Calibrating over an inappropriate range.
• Using GC/MS rather than GC with FID.
• Using a 25 ml purge volume rather than 5 mls.
• Using the wrong purge time. Subtracting blanks.
• Inconsistent rounding procedures.
• Using a petroleum hydrocarbon as a surrogate spike.
• Including peaks outside the window.
• Not resolving first peak from solvent.
• Integrating valley to valley, should be baseline to baseline.
• Subtracting surrogate/internal standard from the window
• Soil sample weights exceeding 35 g for 60 ml vials.