WETLAB BlogWestern Environmental Testing Laboratory

Nevada Rural Water Association 2010 Annual Training and Technical Conference

Western Environmental Testing Laboratory will be presenting at the 2010 NvRWA Annual Training and Technical Conference.  Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 8:15 am, Andy Smith and Nick Ross will give a presentation explaining lab reporting terminology and method detection limits (MDL's).  The relationship between reporting limits and MDL's will be examined, how reporting limits are determined and how client needs affect reporting limits. 

Please join us at the Grand Sierra Resort, Tuesday, March 10, 2010 at 8:15 am.  We look forward to seeing you there!

BBQ at WETLAB

Come join us for our weekly BBQ.  Every Friday until Labor Day WETLAB invites our outstanding clients to enjoy burgers and dogs from the grille at 12:00 pm.  Come visit us at 475 E. Greg St for lunch, visit our state of the art facility and meet our super staff.  No RSVP necessary just come enjoy good food and the amazing summer weather.  Still have questions call Tracy at (775) 355-0202 and answer all your questions....

Ginger Peppard says GoodBye

Posted By: Ginger Peppard

As many of you already know, I have decided to say goodbye to WETLAB.  This was, by far, one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made.  I have worked for WETLAB for 3 ½ great years and have learned so much, not only from the staff at WETLAB, but also from each and every one of our clients (and all your questions!).  I want to say thank you to everyone, because without the opportunities I’ve had that allowed me to get to know each of you and help answer all of your questions, I would not be the person I am today.

As Pearl S. Buck once said “One faces the future with one’s past” and I feel the skills, knowledge and relationships that I’ve acquired during my time at WETLAB have prepared me for a future of success, adventure and I expect even (more than) a little fun!

I sincerely hope our paths will cross again in the future.  I can always be reached via email at GPeppard1982@gmail.com or on my cell phone at (775) 544-8090.   

Sincerely,

Ginger Peppard

Impacts of Stormwater Discharge on Water Bodies

Posted by Ginger Peppard, Business Development Manager

I recently attended a great workshop hosted by Placer County and the Town of Truckee entitled “Stormwater Quality Workshop for the Truckee Area Emphasizing Regulations, BMP's and Low Impact Development." The workshop was designed to provide contractors, developers, planners, engineers and inspectors with information needed in order to be in compliance with current storm water and non-storm water discharge requirements. It also addressed current regulations, Best Management Practices (BMPs) for construction sites and an overview of Low Impact Development (LID). For more information about the workshop (or to see when they are going to schedule it again!) or about Placer County's Stormwater Quality Program, email: stormwater@placer.ca.gov.

Why is stormwater monitoring and quality important?

Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or snowmelt flows over impervious surfaces (such as roads, driveways, buildings, sidewalks and parking lots). These impervious surfaces prevent the water from soaking directly into the ground. Stormwater runoff is a problem because, while the water is traveling over these impervious surfaces, searching for an area to infiltrate, it picks up speed, as well as debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants. Because stormwater is not treated (or minimally treated in some areas), those large concentrations of pollutants are then deposited directly into the storm drains, or in many cases, directly into streams, rivers, lakes or wetlands.

These harmful contaminants then come in direct contact with fish and wildlife and pollute the water that many of us depend on for recreation activities and for drinking water. Some of the common pollutants found in stormwater are: motor oil, grease, automotive fluids, pesticides, fertilizers, pet waste, paint, solvents, insecticides and sediment and other large debris such as plastic bags, cigarette butts and bottles and cans. Bacteria and other pathogens are also common contaminants and can create serious health hazards. All of these pollutants have serious hazards, either to humans or to the fish and wildlife that inhabit our local streams, lakes and wetlands.

Here are some things you can do to help prevent stormwater runoff pollution:

• Prevent soil erosion by vegetating bare spots in and around your property. If you have livestock, take all possible steps to prevent overgrazing.
• Pick up after your pet and dispose of waste in a proper waste receptacle.
• Cover piles of Pick up after your pet and dispose of waste in a proper waste receptacle.
  loose landscaping materials.
• Do not disturb vegetation or soil around natural waterways. Stick to defined trails while enjoying the outdoors.
• Never dump anything down the storm drains or directly into waterways.
• Dispose of used auto fluids, batteries, solvents, paints and prescription drugs using proper disposal methods. Many of these items have designated drop off or recycling locations.
• Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in your driveway.
• Use fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides sparingly.
• Don't over water your lawn.
• If you have a septic tank, have it professionally inspected every 3 years and pumped regularly.
• During construction activities, minimize disturbed areas, stabilize slopes and avoid disturbing natural channels. Also minimize the amount of dirt tracked out of the project site.

For more information from Placer County, or additional information brochures for homeowners, construction, Post-Construction and Business/Industrial, visit Placer County's website at http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/Works/StrmWtr.aspx.

Snapshot Day 2009 – May 16, 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

Snapshot Day 2009 - May 16, 2009

A Uniquely Client Oriented Laboratory Environment

“Getting high quality data can be easy, and working with the right lab can make it a pleasure.”

WETLAB has always prided itself on being a uniquely client-oriented laboratory that offers superior customer service in addition to provide high quality, legally defensible data in a timely manner. One of the challenges that we have faced over the years, as we've been growing, is providing the same type of customer service that we could as a small lab. We've adapted (are adapting...) by creating internal systems to keep track of our customer's needs, as well as actively pursuing and developing analytical testing to meet the needs of our clients, even it may be outside the realm of our normal testing methods.

Now I want to ask for a little help from our readers.

If you are a current client, what are some things that we have done great and made your life easier? What are some things that we could do better at? What there one thing that happen, in particular, that you really noticed as being above and beyond what you would normally expect from a laboratory?

If you're not a client of ours but you've had experience with analytical laboratories, is there anything that those other labs have done that you feel is above and beyond the normal things you would expect from a lab? Is there something those other labs have done that you feel was unforgivable or unprofessional?

For everyone, even those who may never use an analytical laboratory, has there ever been a customer service experience that really impressed you? What did that company do and why did it make such a big impression on you? On the other hand, is there a customer service experience (or lack of...) that really left you with a nasty taste in your mouth about that company?

And finally, for any of you out there that may be in the customer service fields, what are some of the creative solutions you have come up with to provide excellent, creative and unforgettable customer service to your clients?

Let us know what you think, we'd love to hear from you! Contact us at (775) 355-0202.

Oil and Grease

Oil & Grease

Method: EPA 1664
Volume: 1L for RL = 1.5mg/l, 2L for RL = 1.0mg/l
Preservation: HCl, 2-6 degrees C, Amber glass bottle
Special Requirements: for every set of samples submitted (1 to 20 samples) a duplicate sample must be submitted for internal laboratory QA/QC requirements. The client is not charged for this duplicate sample.

Western Environmental Testing Lab carries certification in NV and CA for the analysis of water samples for oil and grease by method EPA1664. WETLAB utilizes the “Solid Phase Extraction” or SPE technique. This method is used for determining n-hexane extractable material (HEM) which includes some non-volatile hydrocarbons, vegetable oils, animal fats, waxes, soaps, greases, and related materials.

In order to perform the oil and grease analysis we filter the client sample through a specially prepared filter that has the ability to hold onto oils and greases. Once the sample has been filtered through, we extract from the filter all the oil and grease using three portions on n-hexane. The n-hexane extracts are combined in a pre-weighed tin and evaporated. Once all the n-hexane is evaporated what is left is any oil and grease from the original sample. We determine the amount of oil and grease by comparing the final weight of the tin to the original weight. This is known as a gravimetric determination.

There are two very important requirements of the method that the client needs to be aware of concerning Oil & Grease. The first is that the client must collect the sample in a 1-liter glass container. Plastic does not work since it is more susceptible to oils and greases sticking to the inside of the container. The second requirement is that the lab must analyze a second 1-liter sample (one for every 20 samples analyzed) as part of the QA/QC requirements of the method. This is an issue since we usually only receive one sample per site from the client. We generally send out an extra 1-liter sample container per bottle kit to the clients that is labeled as a QA/QC sample (or "Duplicate"). This sample is not actually used as a laboratory duplicate and should not replace any field duplicates required by your sampling protocols, it is simply used to provide additional sample volume to run the method required QA/QC. Please remember we do not charge the client for this extra sample, it is simply a sample that we need to satisfy all method requirements.

Water Quality Monitoring, Sampling Basics and How to Handle Customer Complaints

Last week we were lucky enough to participate in the 19th Annual Nevada Rural Water Training and Technical Conference in South Lake Tahoe, CA. This conference gives us a chance to reconnect with many of our existing clients as well as network and learn about what's going on with the rural water systems across the state of Nevada and how we can better serve them.

This year I was lucky enough to be able to do a presentation at the conference entitled "Water Quality Monitoring, Sampling Basics and How to Handle Customer Complaints". This presentation provides a quick summary of the basics of water quality monitoring (sampling, analysis and reporting), then goes into details on a few examples about sampling drinking water sources for Arsenic and Total Coliform/E. Coli (+/-). The second half of the presentation draws on my experience as a (former) customer service manager as well as information obtained from sources published by the American Water Works Association on how to integrate customer complaints as 'real-time' monitoring for your water system and ideas of how to effectively and efficiently handle complaints from customers.

If you would like a copy of the presentation, please email me at ginger@wetlaboratoy.com!