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
March 16, 2009 | Posted by WETLAB
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.
Testing the Waters with our very first client referral program!
March 4, 2009 | Posted by WETLAB
Over the years, we've come to define our success by the relationships we've built and maintained with our clients over the years. Now that Valentine's Day has come and gone, we are still in the mood to share the love with those who have made us sucessful so we are "testing the waters" with our first ever client referral program.
All you have to do is refer our analytical testing services to someone who you think might need them and both the referrer and the referee will be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 Visa gift card. There is no limit to the number of people you can refer so the more people you refer, the more times you will be entered to win.
All you have to do is have your referee email Ginger Peppard at ginger@wetlaboratory.com with the following information:
Name
Company Name
Industry
Phone Number
Address
Email
Name of Referrer
In addition to this drawing, if your referee becomes a new client* before the end of March, you will both be entered in a seperate drawing for an additional $50.00 Visa Gift Card.
The drawing will take place on March 31, 2009 so start spreading the word today!
*Referee must submit samples prior to March 31, 2009 to qualify for the additional gift card.
One of the qualities we pride ourselves on here at WETLAB are the relationships that we've built with our clients over the years and, at least in our opinion, you can't build relationships if you don't know anything about us so we've decided to start profiling our staff so our readers can get to know a little more about our past, present and future...
Name: Andy Smith
Position: QA/Technical Director
Andy is originally from Phoenix, AZ. He attended Adams State College in Alamosa, CO where he graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in May 1996. During college he spent time in two different jobs. One was as a lab assistant for organic chemistry and general chemistry labs for about 3 years. The other position, for about a year, was in a BOR lab off-campus as a lab technician and sampler. After graduation, while still in Phoenix, he worked for Rosarita Mexican Foods as a QA technician checking food and can quality for 1 year. Next, he began working for Aqualab (later Acculabs) in the wetchemistry department. He later moved into metals. A few years later, he moved to Reno, NV to work for Acculabs with Michelle Sherven (formerly Kramer).
Since working for WETLAB (formerly Acculabs) he has done pretty much everything. He has been a wetchemistry analyst, a metals analyst, supervisor, laboratory manager, and now QA/Technical director. His training spans everything our lab currently offers, as well as in-depth training by the manufacturers for our IC, ICPMS and Lachet equipment. Also, he had a one day stint as a fish fossil digger in Kemmerer, WY!
Andy fills his time outside work being an avid fan of ice hockey (and even playing some when he gets the chance) and skateboarding. He has also recently started taking boxing classes at TMCC and his favorite author is Michael Crichton.
Feel free to contact Andy at andy@wetlaboratory.com
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