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~ PAGE 4 goo ~ ~a arr LABORATORY Lab Addition Environmental Services Reorganization The laboratory expansion project was completed in 2003. The Laboratory and Industrial Source Control staff as well This expansion project was designed to meet several goals: as the Environmental Data Analyst, and Management Staff (1) a centralized area for storage of sampling and monitor- participated in a reorganization process to better serve the ing equipment; (2) a centralized washing area for glassware, Divisions Environmental services functions. The changes samplers, and other equipment; (3) a functional area for resulting from this process were the elimination of the Tech- sample receiving; and (4) a laboratory area suitable for trace nical Services Manager position as well as one of the Super- metal analysis. The laboratory expansion plan also included visor positions from ISC/LAB. The Lab/ISC groups were an office area for laboratory staff, which is intended to free reconfigured under one supervisor. Two new positions an up the existing office area for other purposes. Environmental Health & Safety Officer and a Technical Services Analyst were created. Another change that was Trace Metal Analysis/Clean Room Capability. made through this process was consolidation of the Divi- Over anumber of years, the scientific community has recog- sion's sampling activities under one group the Field Sam- nized that, in order to accurately determine the concentra- piing Team under the supervision of the Environmental tions of metals present in water at the levels of the water Data Analyst. This reorganization should provide more effi- quality criteria (in the microgram per liter or parts per bil- cient work, better communication, and added resource to lion range), special precautions have to betaken during both other program areas in the Division. the sampling activities and in the laboratory analysis. These special procedures, which have come to be known as "clean _ D o H N A ADAM s techniques," are designed to prevent sample contamination ,,aa 4 ~ both during sampling. and during laboratory analysis. It has ~ j - been found in numerous studies that use of clean techniques r ~ can dramatically reduce contamination and, therefore, the ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ e° r - measured level of metals in water samples and as a result ~ - r data generated for ambient water samples and effluents ~ ~ ' ~ ` ~ without the use of clean techniques is not considered reli- ~ ~ ~ o- S ~ ' i able. Agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection E ~ - Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey recommend the use i of clean techniques when performing metal analysis of am- bient water or Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) effluents. This new laboratory addition will allow us to per- Y;; = ti'~I form clean trace metals analysis. i PERFORMANCE TRACK PROGRAM The Wastewater Division applied for the Environmental mechanisms in place for public outreach. The EPA just Protection Agencies "National Environmental Performance completed their review of the Wastewater Divisions appli- Track" program in November 2003. The Performance Track cation packet and has approved our acceptance into this pro- fs avoluntary program in which the EPA rewards both pub- gram. Our regulatory compliance record and our Environ- lic and private facilities who have a proven record of regula- mental Management System work helped qualify us for this tory compliance, who have established an environmental program. management program, who have a history of past achieve- ment and commitment to continual improvement, and have ~ D o M h? A ADAM s j i I