Maine Laboratory Certification Program

June 20, 2013Jennifer Jamison

Laboratory Certification OfficerPhone: (207) 287-1929

Jennifer.jamison@maine.gov

Presentation kindly provided by: Carlton Gardner

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Jen has a Master’s Degree in Immunology and Molecular Biology from the University of Southern Maine. She has been employed in a Virology Lab.

She has provided service for commercial and educational laboratories. In addition, Jen has taught science in multiple outreach programs over the past ten years.

You can contact Jen at 287-1929 or jennifer.jamison@maine.gov.

Rulemaking

• Hope to get approval to have the Maine Laboratory Certification Rules go through the rule making process in the Fall of 2013

• We would appreciate input from the labs regarding any other changes they would like to see in the rules

• The good, the bad, and the ugly

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Rulemaking

The GoodDepending upon how the Rule is written, labs may be permitted to use new methods and technology without delay any time there is an EPA update.

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Rulemaking

The BadIf the new rule is permitted, allowing immediate updates based on EPA changes, labs using older methods and equipment may be impacted as their current methods may no longer be valid.

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Rulemaking The Ugly

•If the new Maine Rule is written to allow immediate method updates, we will have to update all the certificates at once…

•You can help by letting us know which methods you plan to add to your certification in advance to prevent a lapse in your certification…

•You may see where Jen going with this…6

Rulemaking• Jennifer will plan to communicate with the labs

when impending changes will be occurring

• It would be advisable to evaluate and comment on prospective EPA method updates

• Please send any ideas you have about changes to the Maine Rules to Jennifer Jamison

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Questions or Comments

• If you have any questions about Maine's Certification Program, Matt Sica is in the room!!

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STATE OF MAINE COMPREHENSIVE STATE OF MAINE COMPREHENSIVE AND LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY CERTIFICATION LABORATORY CERTIFICATION RULESRULES

“…“….analyze water, soil, solid or hazardous .analyze water, soil, solid or hazardous waste, or radiological samples for the use waste, or radiological samples for the use of of programs of the programs of the Department of Department of Health and Human Services or the Health and Human Services or the Department of Environmental Department of Environmental ProtectionProtection.” .”

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Maine DEPMaine DEP• Kelly Perkins, former Lab Cert Officer, is Kelly Perkins, former Lab Cert Officer, is

now at Me DEP in Remediation Waste.now at Me DEP in Remediation Waste.

• If DEP is ordering compliance testing at If DEP is ordering compliance testing at a waste site, Kelly’s first statement is…. a waste site, Kelly’s first statement is…. “Is the lab certified to do these tests?”“Is the lab certified to do these tests?”

• Jennifer is now processing numerous Jennifer is now processing numerous requests for new lab certifications and requests for new lab certifications and additional certification parameters.additional certification parameters.

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STATE OF MAINESTATE OF MAINE

RULES RELATING TO RULES RELATING TO DRINKING WATERDRINKING WATER

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Analysis ReportingAnalysis Reporting

1. Unless a shorter period is specified, 1. Unless a shorter period is specified, the results of tests, measurements, the results of tests, measurements, and analyses required by Sections 7, and analyses required by Sections 7, 8 and 9 of these regulations 8 and 9 of these regulations shall be shall be reported by the tenth day of the reported by the tenth day of the month following the month in month following the month in which the samples were which the samples were analyzed.analyzed.

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Analysis ReportingAnalysis Reporting

2. All reports of laboratory analyses 2. All reports of laboratory analyses for compliance purposes for compliance purposes must be must be submitted to the Department by submitted to the Department by the certified laboratory the certified laboratory contracted by the public water contracted by the public water system to analyze the samples. system to analyze the samples.

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Analysis Reporting.. Analysis Reporting.. 2. 2. Continued….Continued….

Any portion of the analysis sub-contracted Any portion of the analysis sub-contracted to another certified laboratory must be to another certified laboratory must be reported by the primary contracted reported by the primary contracted laboratory. laboratory. The primary contracted The primary contracted laboratory must submit the final report laboratory must submit the final report to the Department.to the Department.

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Out-of-State Labs Out-of-State Labs

• We will contact you when we’re We will contact you when we’re ready to move forward.ready to move forward.

• For now, please e–mail results to: For now, please e–mail results to: dwplabsubmit@maine.gov dwplabsubmit@maine.gov

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Maine regulates 1,900 Maine regulates 1,900 Public Water SystemsPublic Water Systems

• 400 Community400 Community

• 400 Non-transient non community400 Non-transient non community

• 1100+ transients1100+ transients– Most are quarterly Total Coliform BacteriaMost are quarterly Total Coliform Bacteria– And annual Nitrate (Most Maine systems are And annual Nitrate (Most Maine systems are

on a 9 year Nitrite schedule.) on a 9 year Nitrite schedule.)

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Maine currently has 11 Maine currently has 11 commercial labscommercial labs

• 2 labs analyze just bacteria2 labs analyze just bacteria

• A new lab is in the planning stages A new lab is in the planning stages for the mid-coast Maine areafor the mid-coast Maine area

• There are no labs north of Bangor There are no labs north of Bangor (Hint, Hint)(Hint, Hint)

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What’s Coming…….What’s Coming…….

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Stage 2 RuleStage 2 Rule

• Locational Running Annual Averages Locational Running Annual Averages for TTHM and HAA5 go into effect:for TTHM and HAA5 go into effect:– >100,000 April 2012>100,000 April 2012– 10,000-49,999 October 201310,000-49,999 October 2013– <10,000 October 2013 <10,000 October 2013

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Stage 2 D/DBP RuleStage 2 D/DBP Rule

• Same MCLs (TTHM & HAA5) as Stage 1 Same MCLs (TTHM & HAA5) as Stage 1 RuleRule

• Must meet MCL everywhere in the Must meet MCL everywhere in the distribution system (using Locational distribution system (using Locational Running Annual Averages- LRAA)Running Annual Averages- LRAA)

• Monitoring required for consecutive Monitoring required for consecutive systemssystems

2020

•Revised Total Coliform Revised Total Coliform Rule Rule was promulgated on February was promulgated on February 13, 2013. States must adopt by April 13, 2013. States must adopt by April 11stst, 2016., 2016.

• Long Term Revisions to the Lead and Long Term Revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule Fall? 2013.Copper Rule Fall? 2013.

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Questions? Questions?

Carlton GardnerCarlton Gardner

Maine Drinking Water ProgramMaine Drinking Water Program

207-287-8403207-287-8403

carlton.gardner@maine.govcarlton.gardner@maine.gov

www.medwp.comwww.medwp.com2222

Issues with the Postal Issues with the Postal ServiceService

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