Current events that affect the laboratory community
New Edition of LabNotes is off to the printers.
November 20, 2009.A new edition of our newsletter, LabNotes, has been completed
and
an electronic copy has been posted on the website. All labs in the program will
receive a copy by mail in early to mid-December. Note that we may be moving forward
to a solely electronic distribution in the future, with hard copies available on request.
This edition features a new "look" and is largely devoted to developments in and changes
to PT program requirements.
Natural Resources Board authorizes hearings on NR 140
November 10, 2009.Natural Resources Board authorizes public hearings on NR 140. Proposed changes to ch. NR 140, which establishes groundwater quality standards, would establish standards for 15 new analytes and revise standards for 15 others.
Certification Standards and Review Council Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday November 11, 2009
October 26, 2009.The next meeting of the Laboratory Certification Standards Review Council is scheduled for Wednesday November 11, 2009, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, at DNR Science Operations Center (2801 Progress Drive, Madison WI 53716). An agenda for this meeting and minutes from the previous meeting can be found here.
Certification Renewal Period Begins
July 1, 2009With the start of our new fiscal year on July 1, we formally begin the annual certification/registration renewal process. New fees for FY2010 are effective July 1, 2009. The new cost per RVU is $57.50. Review the complete list of fees.
To facilitate the renewal process, be sure to:
- Verify that your facility has paid its renewal fee. Initial invoices were sent out in May. In late July, those facilities that have not paid their fees will be sent a reminder notice and assessed a late fee. For fee-related questions, contact Alfredo Sotomayor at (608) 266-9257.
- Verify that PT obligations have been fulfilled. For PT sample related questions, contact Rick Mealy at (608) 264-6006.
- [for Reciprocity only] Verify that reciprocity information is current. Provide us with a copy of your current certificate from the state through which you obtained reciprocal certification. Also provide a copy of the report of the most recent on-site evaluation performed by the certifying authority. For reciprocity-related questions, contact Rick Mealy at (608) 264-6006.
New Fees Take Effect
July 1, 2009.The application form is currently under revision. Effective today, the cost per RVU to be used for applications is $57.50, a marked decrease from the $68.00 RVU in place for fiscal 2009.
NR219 published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register
May 1, 2009.NR219 materials have been posted to the
Wisconsin Administrative Rules website. The rule has been
published in the May 1, 2009 Administrative Register.
The newly promulgated rule revision to ch. NR 219: reflects analytical method changes made
at the federal level; adds additional methods approved by U.S. EPA Office of Water
Alternate Test Procedure; incorporates newer equivalent methods published by ASTM,
international standards organization, contained in "Standard Methods for the Analysis
of Water and Wastewater"; and adds methods developed by an instrument manufacturer.
You can download the documents from the following location:
NR 219 Final Rule - for promulgation
The rule has an effective date of June 1, 2009.
Ultimately, it will be available for download at:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/nr/nr219.pdf
Certification Offered for PCB Screening of Drinking Water Samples
April 30, 2009.Historically the DNR's Drinking Water and Groundwater program has
required all drinking water compliance samples for PCBs to be analyzed by EPA method 508A.
Subsequently, the LabCert program has only offered certification for the analysis of PCBs
in drinking water by EPA method 508A.
Method 508A, and s. NR 809.21 (12) indicate that a screening analysis for PCBs
may be performed using any approved method for organochlorine pesticides in drinking
water, and no further analysis by method 508A is required if Aroclors are not detected.
This provision has not been offered (until now) due to the inability of most laboratories
to meet the detection limit requirements necessary to use the screening technique.
With advances in instrument and detection technology, the mandated detection requirements
associated with the screening protocol can be more readily achieved. Consequently the
LabCert program is now prepared to offer certification for PCB screening using approved
methods.
We have developed a flyer which outlines the requirements to obtain certification
to screen samples for PCBs in drinking water and the conditions under which no follow-up
analysis by method 508A is required.
DOA Appoints New LabCert Council Representative
April 21, 2009We recently received correspondence from Secretary Michael L. Morgan, Department of Administration, that the following appointment has been made to the Certification Standards Review Council:
- Kirsti Sorsa
Dr. Sorsa, Environmental Technical Services supervisor with the Public Health - Madison & Dane County, has been appointed as the public water utilities representative to the Council.
- Spencer Wastewater Treatment Plant for small registered facilities and
- Sheboygan Wastewater Treatment Plant for large facilities.
Welcome aboard Kirsti!
Renewal Fee Calculator available
April 3, 2009.We have separated the former "Fee Calculator" into separate "Application Fee Calculator" and "Renewal Fee Calculator". These calculators can be accessed on the Fees page. Note that the Renewal Fee Calculator has been updated based on the final fee package approved at the March Natural Resources Board meeting.
Winners of the 2009 Registered Laboratory-of-the-Year awards announced.
March 31, 2009The following laboratories received their awards at the March 25, 2009 Natural Resources Board meeting.
Congratulations go out to:
For more information about the Lab-of-the-Year award, click here.
New Certification Fees for Fiscal 2010
March 31, 2009.Last week, the Natural Resources Board approved the Laboratory Certification Program's proposed budget for FY 2010 (7/1/2009 thru 6/30/2010). The proposed budget calls for a decrease in revenues from last year of 2.13%, which will result in a fee reduction for some labs. For an explanation of why this will not result in a uinilateral fee reduction and a detailed breakdown of the new fees, which take effect July 1, 2009, read the detailed discussion of fee changes for 2009-10.
Certified Lab Lists have been Updated
March 1, 2009.We have completed the reprogramming required to produce the various "list" of certified laboratories. These lists can be accessed on the "Wisconsin Certified & Registered Lab Lists Page".
PT Requirement Lists ahave been updated
December 12, 2008.The recent revisions to ch. NR 149 required a major over-haul to the PT requirements aspect of the program. Updated lists have been generated to indicate which technology-analyte combinations for a given matrix require PTs, the type of PT required, and which PT providers are approved for this purpose.
Please note that solid-matrix (or 'real-world' sample) PTs are not acceptable to obtain/maintain accreditations under the Solid matrix. "WP" PT samples are required. If a lab is accredited for a given technology - analyte combination under both the Aqueous and Solid matrices, sucessful analysis of one WP PT for that analyte-technology combination will count towards both the Aqueous and Solid matrices.
List of Matrix - Technologies by Lab ID
December 4, 2008.
The process of filling out applications has changed. Calculation of application fees and
renewal fees has changed. The new dynamic in the accreditation process is Matrix and
Technology. This is because a flat fee is assessed per matrix, but individual fees are
assessed for each technology AND each matrix. Subsequently we've developed a
"Complete List of Matrix/Technologies by Lab ID".
This list includes all certified and registered labs and details the specific technologies
under each matrix for which the lab is accredited.
We are in the process of updating all of the certified lab lists using the new accreditation
structure, so please bear with us. In the meantime, if you are considering sumitting an
application, please remember that you do NOT have to pay for technologies (for a given matrix)
for which you already hold accreditation. For example, if you are already certified for the
technology GC (viz. Organochlorine pesticides, GRO, and DRO) under the Aqueous matrix but wish
to apply for Acid Herbicides by GC under the aqueous matrix, then no technology fee is required.
If, however, you wish to add the herbicides by GC under the SOLID matrix (and you do not
currently hold accreditation for the GC technology for the Solid matrix, then you WOULD have
to pay the technology fee.
Note also that you need to know which matrices and technologies for which you hold accreditation
in order to estimate your next year's accreditation
renewal fees [.XLS, Excel v. 2003 spreadsheet 140KB].
Updated Information
November 14, 2008.
As we work with the revisions to ch. NR 149 (the LabCert rules), we need to make some
mid-course adjustments. Over the past several weeks, we've identified a number of analytes
that were lacking from the certification database. These analytes have been added to the
database, which prompts two additional changes: (1) an update to the application form
attachments has been posted, and (2) several updated analyte "group" lists have
been generated.
- Updated analyte "group" lists (BNA, VOC by GC, VOC by GC/MS)
- Updated application attachments:
DOA Appoints New LabCert Council Representative
July 21, 2008We recently received correspondence from Secretary Michael L. Morgan, Department of Administration, that the following appointment has been made to the Certification Standards Review Council:
- Randall Thater
Mr. Thater, Process Control Supervisor with the city of Waukesha's wastewater treatment plant, has been appointed as the large (> 5 MGD) municipal wastewater representative to the Council.
- Judy Tholen
Ms. Tholen, with the city of Watertown's wastewater treatment plant, has been appointed as the small (< 5 MGD) municipal wastewater representative to the Council. - Susan Hill
Ms. Hill, an Advanced Chemist and Quality Assurance Coordinator for the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, has been appointed as the State Lab of Hygiene representative to the Council. - David Kliber
Mr. Kliber, of S-F Analytical Laboratories, has been appointed as representative for commercial laboratories - Chris Groh
Mr. Groh, of Wisconsin Rural Water Association, has been appointed as the member having a "Demonstrated Interest in Laboratory Certification" - Kurt Knuth
Mr. Knuth, of Madison's Metropolitan Sewage District, was re-appointed to a 2nd term as the representative for large municipal wastewater treatment facilities - Amherst Wastewater Treatment Facility Laboratory for small registered facilities and
- Janesville Wastewater Treatment Facility Laboratory for large facilities.
- Form 3400-52 - Other Methods of Disposal or Distribution Report
- Form 3400-53 - Land Application Site Request
- Form 3400-54 - Agricultural Site Worksheet (Appl. Rate Calculations)
- Form 3400-55 - Annual Land Application Report
- Form 3400-56 - Land Application Records Worksheet
Welcome aboard Randy!
NR 149 Implementation Guidance now available.
In keeping with the changes to NR 149, the LaCert Program is in the process of developing
"Implementation Guidance" for working through key aspects of the program. This is a
dynamic document designed to replace the former "Lab Certification Information and Program
Guidance Document (PUBL-TS007-98)" document.
Some of the things that are included are the revised template for Quality manual (formerly known as the
"QA Document for a Small Wastewater Lab", revised application process information, and updated
Proficiency Testing requirements. As materials are completed, live hyperlinks
will be created to direct you to the documents. We encourage you to bookmark the link below
and check frequently for updates.
Navigate to the Implementation Guidance page.
NR149 published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register
May 5, 2008.NR149 is now available in its final official version.
You can download the official version, in its 2-column format, from the
April 30, 2008, edition of the Wisconsin Administrative Register, No. 628.
NR 149 Final Rule for Publication
Appendix I (Technologies for Aqueous & Solid Matrices
Appendix I (Technologies for Drinking Water Matrix
Appendix III (Authroitative Sources for Methods
Application available to help labs come up to speed regarding NR149 changes
March 10, 2008.The effective date of revisons to NR149, the Laboratory Certification and Registration Program Administrative Rule is September 1, 2008. To assist laboratories in identifying major changes to NR149, we have developed a simple web-based application to highlight changes and allow users to focus on specific code language regarding changes that might affect their laboratory. Where additional information is necessary to clarify a requirement, comments have been added to do so.
DOA Appoints New LabCert Council Representative
October 12, 2007We received correspondence from Secretary Michael L. Morgan, Department of Administration, that the following appointment has been made to the Certification Standards Review Council:
This is a 3-year appointment expiring July 1, 2010. Welcome aboard Judy!
Now available: NR149 Final Rule for adoption by the Natural Resources Board (NRB)
October 5, 2007.The final rule for adoption is now available. This rule package will
be presented before the Natural Resources Board for adoption at its
October 24, 2007 meeting in Madison ( NRB agenda information).
The final revisions to the rule and all "green sheet" package information are available on
our
rule update page.
If you have any questions, they can be directed to either
Rick Mealy [phone: (608) 264-6006; e-mail:Richard.Mealy@Wisconsin.gov]
or David Webb [ phone:(608) 266-0245; e-mail:David1.Webb@Wisconsin.gov ].
The "Ultimate" BOD Resource goes live.
November 15, 2006.This web-based resource for all things related to BOD testing is a culmination of about 8 years of training offered jointly by the DNR Lab Certification Program and the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. The intent is to provide real-time access to updated information about one of the most complex, under-estimated tests performed today. Test drive the BOD Resource application.
UW Appoints New LabCert Council Representative
August 22, 2006We received correspondence from John Wiley, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, that the following appointment has been made to the Certification Standards Review Council:
This is a 3-year appointment expiring July 1, 2009. Welcome aboard Sue!
--->DOA Appoints New LabCert Council Representatives
June 22 2006We received confirmation from Stephen Bablitch, Secretary of the Department of Administration, that the following appointments have been made to the Certification Standards Review Council:
All are 3-year appointments expiring July 1, 2009. Along with these appointment letters, Secretary Bablitch sent letters of thanks to Paul Junio, of TestAmerica Analytical Testing, and Marcia Kuehl, of the M.A. Kuehl Company, for their two terms (each) of dedicated service on the Council. Thanks very much, Paul and Marcia! Welcome aboard David and Chris!...and pleased to have you back, Kurt! The Certification Standards Review Council's next regularly scheduled meeting is tentatively slated for Thursday August 17, 2006.
DMRQA 26 Confusion
Update June 20, 2006. May 31 2006We understand that Wisconsin "major" NPDES facilities recently received DMRQA26 packages, requiring an immediate response. In light of
the fact that Wisconsin worked extensively with EPA staff at both Region 5 and at headquarters to eliminate the requirement
that Wisconsin permittees participate in the DMRQA program two years ago, this development has understandably caused confusion
and prompted numerous phone calls and e-mails from Wisconsin NPDES permitted facilities.
The LabCert program and the Watershed Management Program are working with the EPA now with the hope that some sort of retraction
letter might be sent out to all Wisconsin permittees from the EPA. In the event that this does not happen in a timely mnanner,
we want to re-assure our customers --registered and certified laboratories-- that neither the Wisconsin DNR nor the EPA require
Wisconsin permitted facilities to participate in the DMRQA program. This was confirmed via telephone discussions with EPA officials
late last week. Maintaining our accreditation, which combines a PT program with a rigorous audit program, satisfies the DMRQA
requirement.
The EPA has responded to the situation with a letter.
BOD Charts & Tables
April 2006.Based on request from attendees at the recent BOD training sessions, we are making available some of the key charts critical to BOD analysis. Now you can download the following items:
Winners of the 2006 Registered Laboratory-of-the-Year awards announced.
March 2006These laboratories will receive their awards from DNR Secretary Hassett at the April 26, 2006 Natural Resources Board meeting.
Congratulations go out to:
For more information about the Lab-of-the-Year award, click here.
Environmental Lab Survey Results Released
January 2006.
Report of the 2005 Environmental Laboratory Survey
by the WSLH in cooperation with
the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL)
This report presents findings from the 2005 Environmental Laboratory Survey conducted by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) in cooperation with the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL).
The survey collected information about laboratory characteristics, training needs, emergency and bioterrorism readiness, networking, partnerships and other business issues. Laboratories certified or registered by the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were invited to participate. Of those 450 labs 170 (38%) completed the survey.
Audit Checklists Developed.
December 2005.In the interest of consistency, the Lab Certification has begun developing checklists as a tool for both auditors and laboratories during on-site evaluations. It is a quite difficult task to develop a single checklist capable of dealing with the realm of issues we encounter during on-site evaluations. Therefore these checklists should be viewed as the minimum standards we expect for our laboratories. By no means should they be considered to be "boundaries" for an audit. "Check out" these checklists here.
New Certificate offers greater flexibility
September 2005.The Laboratory Certification Program recently completed a major upgrade to the software used to generate
laboratory certificates. The first thing you'll notice is the use of color and that
the certificate is more similar to what other states are using.
Rather than listing all of a laboratory's certifications directly on the certificate (as in the past),
we have opted to create a "Scope of Accreditations", which is included
as an attachment referenced on the certificate itself. As always, a cover
letter accompanies each new certificate indicating any specific reason for the issuance of the new or
revised certificate.
With this change, once a lab receives it's renewal certificate as part of the annual renewal process, any revised applications submitted by a laboratory during a given fiscal year will require the generation of only an updated Scope of Accreditation.
Another important change is that LabCert Program now archives all certificates and attachments in PDF format. Laboratories can request a PDF copy of their certificate for use in proposals, Quality Assurance Manuals, etc. If you wish to obtain a PDF copy of your certificate and scope of accreditations, you can either send an e-mail request to the LabCert Program or call the Laboratory Certification Program at (608) 267-7633.
Biosolids Form Available.
May 2005.DNR forms associasted with biosolids (sludge) are now available here on the DNR website. The following forms are available with this initial set:
Questions can be directed to Greg Kester, Residuals Coordinator, at (608) 267-7611.
New Procedure: "Water Extractable Phosphorus"
March 2004.The Bureau of Watershed Management has issued new guidance to permittees for the application of s. NR 151.07(2), to municipal biosolids, industrial wastewater & sludge, and septage. This guidance involves the use of a new procedure for the determination of "Water Extractable Phosphorus". Questions regarding this method or the guidance should be directed to Greg Kester at (608) 267-7611.
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