One of the national epicenters of water quality monitoring, just minutes away from the WETLAB offices in Sparks, Nev., is gearing up for even more analysis. Lake Tahoe is known around the world as one of the world’s clearest large alpine lakes — and federal, state and local efforts are all concentrated on restoring and preserving the lake’s astounding clarity intact.
In late November, the regional water board that governs the Tahoe Basin approved an aggressive plan to reduce the amount of fine sediment, phosphorous and nitrogen entering the lake, which are some of the main culprits behind the lake’s steady clarity decline. Over the next 15 years, up to $1.5 billion could be spent to increase the lake’s clarity from last year’s 68-foot depth, to 80 feet, according to news reports.
For agencies and restoration groups around the lake, the new water quality targets mean more water quality analysis to determine which restoration projects are working and how much sediment, phosphorous and nitrogen is entering the lake. That analysis and lab work is WETLAB’s specialty. Given the increase in water quality monitoring occurring in Tahoe, WETLAB is reminding agencies and non-profits around Lake Tahoe of WETLAB’s convenient regular sample pick-up and material drop-off service to Lake Tahoe.
A WETLAB employee regularly travels to Lake Tahoe to collect water samples and bring them back to WETLAB’s state-of-the-art Sparks, Nev. laboratory for careful testing and analysis.
A WETLAB representative travels to South Lake Tahoe every Tuesday, and to North Lake Tahoe every Thursday for sample collection and instrument drop-off. WETLAB is also willing to work out other collection days for new and existing clients if possible.
WETLAB is proud to be part of the restoration of one of the nation’s natural wonders.
“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.
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) is an international society of professionals in the mining and minerals industry. Currently, the membership of SME is more than 12,000 strong, with members in nearly 100 countries.
On February 22-25, 2009, mining professionals are joining together in Denver, CO for the annual SME show. This is an opportunity to learn more about the mining and minerals industry and gain valuable knowledge and meet new people.
Come by and visit with Business Development Manager Ginger Peppard and Project Manager Tracy Zoulek at booth 1248.
For more information about SME, visit their website at www.smenet.org.
The Method Detection Limit (MDL) is defined as "the minimum concentration of a substance that can be measured and reported with a 99% confidence that the analyte concentration is greater than zero" (40CFR sec. 136 Appendix B). The MDL is used for various reasons in an analytical laboratory, with the primary reason being it is used to determine the reporting limits for each analyte that a laboratory analyzes for. Reporting Limits (RL's) are generally 3-5 times the MDL. On occasion a laboratory can report lower than the calculated MDL, however these results are always flagged as estimates and cannot not always be considered legally defensible data. MDL studies are also required as part of the process of maintaining certifications.
A MDL is initially established when a method is set up, a new piece of equipment is brought online or if there is a significant change in equipment or location (i.e. moving to a new location, significant maintenance or replacement of major parts). MDL's are confirmed on a regular basis according to method specifications (generally on an annual basis but for some parameters, such as anions, it is done twice a year). MDL studies are performed on a regular basis to assure that there is no loss of sensitivity on the equipment due to wear and tear or the constantly changing environmental conditions.
Do you have more questions about MDL's or questions about other laboratory terminology? Is there something that always confused you about laboratory services? Leave a comment and let us know what you want to know about!
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