Monitoring for Aeromonas as a UCMR List 2 Contaminant: Voluntary Performance Testing Program for Laboratory Approval
A proposed Rule was published March 7, 2002 (67 FR 10532) which identifies
the approved analytical method for Aeromonas monitoring as a UCMR List 2
contaminant and the laboratory approval program. Below is a copied portion of
the preamble where this program is specified.
C. Laboratory Approval and Certification
This rule proposes that laboratories wishing to analyze samples for Aeromonas
for the UCMR must use USEPA Method 1605. USEPA has previously specified, in
Sec. 141.40 (a)(5)(ii)(G)(3) (66 FR 2273, January 11, 2001), that Aeromonas
analyses must be performed by laboratories certified under Sec. 141.28 for
compliance analyses of coliform indicator bacteria using an USEPA approved
membrane filtration procedure. Because of differences between USEPA Method 1605
and existing membrane filtration methods for coliform indicator bacteria,
laboratories performing USEPA Method 1605 must also participate in performance
testing (PT) studies to be conducted by USEPA. Laboratories wishing to be
approved to use Method 1605 for this monitoring must submit a ``request to
participate'' letter to USEPA and to analyze 10 samples for Aeromonas using
Method 1605. USEPA has established 45 days following the publication of the
final rule as the latest date by which it will accept the ``request to
participate'' letter. A second PT study will only be conducted if more than 90
days remain between the reporting of the results of the first study and the
beginning of Aeromonas monitoring, January 2003, to provide utilities with at
least 45 days to contract with laboratories that have received approval. Upon
completion of the Aeromonas PT Program, USEPA will provide each successful
laboratory with an approval letter identifying the laboratory by name and the
approval date. This letter and a copy of the laboratory's certification under
Sec. 141.28 for compliance analysis of coliform indicator bacteria using an
USEPA approved membrane filtration procedure, may then be presented to any PWS
as evidence of laboratory approval for Aeromonas analysis supporting the UCMR.
Laboratory approval is contingent upon the laboratory maintaining certification
to perform drinking water compliance monitoring using an approved coliform
membrane filtration method. USEPA intends to post a listing of the laboratories
that have successfully completed each PT study at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/. |
A laboratory's request letter should include the following
information:
- Laboratory Name
- Complete Laboratory Mailing Address
- Proof of the laboratory's certification under §141.28 for
compliance analysis of coliform indicator bacteria using an USEPA approved
membrane filtration procedure
- A copy of the laboratory's Initial Demonstration of Capability (IDC)
as well as blank and negative culture control data as specified in Sections 9.4
through 9.6 of Method 1605. A summary table for this information is
attached.
- Contact Person at the lab
- Contact Phone, FAX, and e-mail (if available)
The "request letter" package should be mailed to:
Aeromonas PT Program
Coordinator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (MS-140)
26 W. Martin Luther King Dr.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
Laboratories should also FAX (513-569-7191) the request letter with
certification confirmation. We suggest laboratories request receipt
confirmation to ensure registration.
Some important FAQs about the Aeromonas
PT Program and monitoring....
How much demand will there be for UCMR List 2
monitoring of Aeromonas?
If your laboratory is interested in participating in this voluntary PT
program, they should consider the fact that commercial laboratory demand for
the analysis of the List 2, Screening Survey contaminant Aeromonas, will
be very limited. Commercial laboratories which gain Aeromonas
approval will only be competing to support the monitoring at those 120 large
public water systems (PWS) which have been selected as part of the List 2
Microbiological Screening Survey. The complete list of systems required to
monitor for List 2, Aeromonas can be found in Table 2 on a web page
posted at:
www.epa.gov/safewater/standard/ucmr/list2largesystems.html. Be certain to
specifically look toward the middle of this page for Table 2, where the List 2,
Aeromonas systems are listed. Each of these systems will need to collect
a total of 18 samples from defined locations in their distribution system
throughout 2003. EPA has laboratory contracts established for the 180 small
PWSs which are also required to monitor.
How many PT studies will be offered?
At least three studies are planned during 2002. Laboratories will only need to
pass one of these studies to qualify for approval. No additional PT studies for
Aeromonas will be offered after the last study conducted in the last
quarter of 2002. Laboratories which fail an earlier PT study will not
automatically be enrolled in the later studies and will need to resubmit
request letter. This will ensure that the laboratory is still interested in
pursuing Aeromonas laboratory approval.
What is the schedule for these PT studies and
deadlines for submitting request letters?
The first Aeromonas PT study will occur during the week of April
22, 2002. Laboratories interested in participating in this study should
submit their request letter by April 5, 2002. EPA expects that
laboratories intending to participate in this first study will be those which
already have some experience with the method and which have already completed
their Initial Demonstration of Capability (IDC). Laboratories which
participated in the validation of USEPA Method 1605 may submit their IDC
information from that validation. The second PT study is being scheduled for
mid July 2002 with a deadline for request letter submission of June 14, 2002.
The dates for the third PT study have not yet been established but are expected
in early fall. A fourth PT study may be scheduled if sufficient time is
available prior to the start of monitoring in January 2003. The timing and
deadlines for these later studies will be updated when more information is
available. This updated information will be posted on the main UCMR web page
(www.epa.gov/safewater/ucmr.html).
How will approval to conduct Aeromonas
monitoring be granted?
Laboratories may participate in the voluntary PT program before the final rule
is promulgated. After the laboratory has submitted its IDC data, provided proof
of certification, and successfully passed the PT, it will receive a letter
indicating its approval is pending. Laboratory approval letters will not be
issued until the final rule is promulgated. Laboratory approval will be limited
and specific to the duration of the UCMR (1999) Aeromonas monitoring
period.
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Application for Participation in Voluntary Aeromonas
Performance Testing Program
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Complete Mailing Address:
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Fax: |
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Initial Demonstration of Capability Data
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Aeromonas CFU
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Colony Color
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Oxidase Result
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Trehalose Result
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Indole Result
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9.4 Initial Precision and Recovery
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Spiked Reagent Water #1
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Spiked Reagent Water #2
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Spiked Reagent Water #3
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Spiked Reagent Water #4
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Mean CFU
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RSD of CFU
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9.5 Blank
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9.4.3 Positive Control
A. hydrophila
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9.6.4.1 Oxidase Negative Control (E. coli)
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9.6.4.2 Trehalose Negative Control (P. aeruginosa)
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9.6.4.3 Indole Negative Control (B. cereus)
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Mail to:
Aeromonas PT Program Coordinator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (MS-140)
26 W. Martin Luther King Dr.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
Fax to:
513-569-7191
Include a copy of proof of certification for coliforms by
membrane filtration.
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