Ariz. Admin. Code § 9-14-609

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 45, November 8, 2024

Section R9-14-609 - Proficiency Testing

A. At least once in each 12-month period, and more often if requested by the Department, each licensee or applicant shall have at least one laboratory analyst participate in proficiency testing provided by the Department, the EPA, or a proficiency testing service that:

1. Includes at least one proficiency testing sample for each parameter for which an initial license or renewal license has been issued or requested and for which proficiency testing samples are available;

2. Demonstrates the laboratory analyst's proficiency in compliance testing of:

a. Applicable drinking water parameters in Table 6.2.A, if:

i. The applicant plans to perform compliance testing of drinking water parameters, or

ii. The licensee is approved to perform compliance testing of drinking water parameters; and

b. Applicable parameters other than drinking water parameters, if:

i. The applicant plans to perform compliance testing of the parameters, or

ii. The licensee is approved to perform compliance testing of the parameters; and

3. If the licensee or applicant has been issued or has requested a license that includes approval for testing an analyte by different methods, may use the same proficiency testing sample for each method.

B. To demonstrate proficiency for a parameter, test results reported for the parameter shall be within acceptance limits established for:

1. Drinking water inorganic chemistry parameters by the EPA, as provided in 40 CFR 141.23;

2. Drinking water organic chemistry parameters by the EPA, as provided in 40 CFR 141.24;

3. Lead or copper in drinking water by the EPA, as provided in 40 CFR 141.89;

4. Disinfection byproducts in drinking water by the EPA, as provided in 40 CFR 141.131; and

5. Other parameters by the EPA or the proficiency testing service.

C. A licensee or applicant shall ensure that:

1. Each proficiency testing sample accepted at the licensee's or applicant's laboratory is analyzed at the licensee's or applicant's laboratory;

2. Each proficiency testing sample is tested within the maximum holding times allowed for its parameter, using the same procedures and techniques employed for routine sample testing, and calculating the holding time from the time the sample seal is broken or as indicated in the instructions accompanying the sample;

3. A proficiency testing service provides proficiency testing results directly to the Department;

4. If proficiency testing is provided by the Department, the licensee or applicant submits to the Department payment for the actual costs of the proficiency testing materials; and

5. If proficiency testing is not provided by the Department or the EPA, the licensee or applicant selects a proficiency testing service and contracts with and pays the proficiency testing service directly for proficiency testing.

D. The Department may submit blind proficiency testing samples to a licensed laboratory at any time during the license period.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-14-609

Adopted effective December 20, 1991 (Supp. 91-4). Former Section R9-14-609 renumbered to R9-14-610; new Section R9-14-609 renumbered from R9-14-608 and amended effective June 20, 1997 (Supp. 97-2). Former Section R9-14-609 renumbered to R9-14-611; new Section R9-14-609 renumbered from R9-14-607and amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 184, effective December 15, 2000 (Supp. 00-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 12 A.A.R. 4798, effective December 5, 2006 (Supp. 06-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 22 A.A.R. 2683, effective 10/1/2016.