Section 246-390-020. Requirement for certification.

(1) Certification officers are required to meet EPA requirements for drinking water certification as described in the latest version of the Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water, EPA/570/9-90/008,4/90.

(2) Applicants for laboratory certification shall submit to the department:

(a) An application fee as specified in WAC 246-390-990;

(b) A written application which includes one of the following:

(i) A request for first-time certification;

(ii) A request for certification to analyze additional or newly regulated contaminants; or

(iii) A request to reapply for certification after correction of deficiencies which resulted in the downgrading or revocation of certification status, or after lapse of previous contract; and

(c) A QA plan as specified in subsection (6) of this section.

(3) Applicants for routine renewal shall submit to the department at least three months before expiration of the contract:

(a) A renewal fee as specified in WAC 246-390-990;

(b) A written application which includes:

(i) Name and address of each laboratory or testing site;

(ii) Owner's name, address, and contact person;

(iii) List of parameters to be certified;

(iv) Completed personnel training and experience forms;

(v) List of methods used;

(vi) Copy of QA manual; and

(vii) List of equipment;

(c) Verification of the successful performance of PE studies as specified in subsection (4) of this section; and

(d) A QA plan, if changes have been made since the plan was last submitted to the department.

(4) Laboratory approved personnel shall participate in EPA Water Supply, EMSL-CI, EMSL-LV, or other department approved PE studies at least once annually for microbiological and twice annually for chemistry and radiochemistry laboratories as described in the certification manual. Radiochemistry laboratories must also participate in two intercomparison studies per year.

(5) Laboratory directors shall allow on-site audit by the CO as follows:

(a) At least every three years;

(b) Announced or unannounced;

(c) At contract renewal; or

(d) At the discretion of the CO.

(6) Laboratory directors shall submit a QA plan with a section specific to drinking water with initial application; at contract renewal, if changes have been made; or at the discretion of the CO. The QA plan or manual shall follow EPA and state requirements, as described in the certification manual.

(7) Laboratory personnel shall notify the CO in writing within thirty days of major changes to analytical staff management including:

(a) Moving facilities;

(b) Loss or replacement of the laboratory supervisor;

(c) A situation in which a trained and experienced analyst no longer is available to analyze a particular parameter for which certification had been granted;

(d) Loss or replacement of major equipment; and

(e) Any other situation described in the certification manual that would affect laboratory operations.

(8) Laboratories shall meet the following minimum workload requirements for each certified parameter:

(a) Microbiological laboratories to analyze a minimum of fifteen water samples per quarter that are positive for both total and fecal coliform.

(b) Chemistry and radiochemistry laboratories to analyze five water samples per quarter. These workload requirements shall not include PE samples. Laboratories must assure the CO that proper QA/QC was followed, and official drinking water methods were used. See certification manual for further explanation.

(9) Laboratory personnel shall follow official EPA methods, or EPA approved alternate analytical techniques, as described in the certification manual.

(10) Laboratory personnel shall accurately report analytical results of compliance samples in a timely manner as described in the certification manual using:

(a) The department specified format; and

(b) Electronic or hard copy transmission.

(11) Laboratories shall follow the standard of quality requirements as described in the certification manual.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 92-15-152 (Order 290B), § 246-390-020, filed 7/22/92, effective 8/22/92.]

RCW 43.20.050. WSR 92-15-152 (Order 290B), § 246-390-020, filed 7/22/92, effective 8/22/92.

Rules

246-390-990,246-390-990,