Resources for wastewater labs
We accredit labs that analyze wastewater inside of wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities. Over the years, our auditing team has developed resources for these labs to use.
Technical support
If you are a wastewater plant operator, our goal is to help you to maintain your laboratory's accreditation, to navigate testing needs to support compliance, and to update testing capabilities as your needs change. Even if you do not have a laboratory background yourself nor specialized lab staff, we are here to help you.
Your lead auditor
Look for the name of your lead auditor on your accreditation letter. This is the person who can help guide you on your accreditation journey.
Did you know that you can request a technical support visit? Unlike in an audit, we do not document any findings in a technical support visit; we are there only for support and guidance. Depending upon the need, this can be a phone call, an email, or a visit to your plant. We can also meet virtually. Reach out when you have questions or concerns.
Wastewater operator lab packet
To help wastewater labs succeed, we offer a number of downloadable resources that we call our Wastewater Operator Lab Packet.
Document guidance
- Model of a Quality Assurance Manual for a Small Wastewater Treatment Plant Laboratory
- Writing Standard Operating Procedures, a Guide for Small Waste Water Treatment Plant Operators — this is our model SOP.
Laboratory tools — spreadsheets
- Control charts for labs is a spreadsheet tool with templates and instructions for both a standard-solution control test and one that uses duplicate solutions.
- Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and carbonaceous BOD (CBOD) is an in-depth guide to performing BOD analyses.
- Standard Method 5210-B BOD quality control troubleshooting worksheet offers guidance for Standard Method 5210-B, five-day BOD analysis. Includes troubleshooting chart and key.
Poster
Method changes
Make sure your lab is following the methods listed on your scope of accreditation. If you find a new method that you would like adopt, reach out to your lead auditor before analyzing samples.
Method sources
- The federal Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, offers access to many methods approved under the Clean Water Act for compliance testing — free of charge. For a list of methods approved for wastewater compliance testing, see 40CFR136.3.
- Using the methods in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater requires that you purchase an online subscription or the hardcover reference book. Many of these methods are approved under the Clean Water Act for compliance testing.
For more information on current appropriate methods, see Laws and rules for laboratory accreditation.
Contact information
Rebecca Wood
Laboratory Accreditation Unit Supervisor
rebecca.wood@ecy.wa.gov
360-742-7022