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Monitoring for
Aeromonas as a UCMR List 2 Contaminant: Proficiency Testing Program
for Laboratory Approval
A Final Rule was published October 29, 2002, (67 FR 65888) which identified
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 Rule where this program is specified.
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IV. Laboratory Approval and Certification for Aeromonas Monitoring
As a result of today's action, laboratories wishing to analyze samples
for Aeromonas under the UCMR must use EPA Method 1605. EPA
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 EPA approved membrane
filtration procedure. Because of differences between EPA Method
1605 and existing membrane filtration methods for coliform indicator
bacteria, laboratories performing EPA Method 1605 must also participate
in proficiency testing (PT) studies to be conducted by EPA. Laboratories
wishing to be approved to use Method 1605 for this monitoring should
submit a ``request to participate'' letter to EPA and will be asked
to analyze 10 samples for Aeromonas using Method 1605. Within
10 days of this rule being signed by the EPA Administrator, EPA
will notify each large public water system selected to perform Aeromonas monitoring of the need for their laboratory to submit this "request
to participate" letter. EPA has established 30 days following
the publication of the final rule as the latest date by which it
will be able to accept the "request to participate" letter
due to the very short time left before the beginning of the monitoring
program (January 2003). The "request to participate" letter
should be mailed to: Technical Support Center Aeromonas PT
Coordinator, EPA, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati,
Ohio 45268. Upon completion of the Aeromonas PT Program, EPA 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 EPA approved membrane
filtration procedure, may then be presented to any public water
system (PWS) as evidence of laboratory approval for Aeromonas
analysis supporting the UCMR. Laboratory approval is contingent
upon the laboratory having and maintaining certification to perform
drinking water compliance monitoring using an approved coliform
membrane filtration method. EPA will post a list of the laboratories
that have successfully completed each PT study.
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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:
Technical Support Center
Aeromonas PT Program Coordinator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (MS-140)
26 W. Martin Luther King Drive
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.
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.
What is the schedule for the PT study and
deadline for submitting request letters?
Two voluntary Aeromonas PT studies occured in April and August
2002. The third and final PT study is scheduled for December 2, 2002 with
a deadline for request letter submission of November 29, 2002. Laboratories
need to pass one of these studies to qualify for approval. Laboratories
which failed a voluntary PT study will not automatically be enrolled
in the third study and will need to resubmit a request. This will ensure
that the laboratory is still interested in pursuing Aeromonas laboratory
approval.
How will approval to conduct Aeromonas
monitoring be granted?
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. 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 Aeromonas Proficiency
Testing Program
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| Laboratory Name: |
| Contact Person: |
Complete Mailing Address:
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| Phone: |
Fax: |
| E-mail Address: |
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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:
Technical Support Center Aeromonas PT Program Coordinator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (MS-140)
26 W. Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
Fax to:
513-569-7191
Include a copy of proof of certification for coliforms
by membrane filtration.
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