N.J. Admin. Code § 7:18-9.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:18-9.4 - Requirements for sample handling and preservation for specific parameters

(a) A laboratory shall handle and preserve samples in accordance with the following requirements:

1. All sample bottles for aqueous samples shall be precleaned before arriving on site.

2. All sample bottles used for taking grab samples, except for prepreserved bottles, shall be rinsed with sample water at least twice before being filled, unless the sample is to be analyzed for any of the following:

i. Petroleum hydrocarbons;

ii. Oil and grease;

iii. Pesticides;

iv. PCB, PBB and herbicides;

v. Bacteriological;

vi. Dissolved oxygen;

vii. Volatile organics; or

viii. Metals.

3. After rinsing, the sample bottle shall be filled with the sample using a minimum of agitation.

4. Fill the sample bottle completely if the sample is to be analyzed for purgeable organics, oxygen demand, hydrogen sulfide, hardness, ferrous iron, acidity, or alkalinity.

5. For samples to be analyzed for parameters other than those listed in (a)4 above, leave at least one inch of air space at the top of the sample bottle.

6. If a sample is to be analyzed for bacteriological parameters, collect it directly in a presterilized sample container.

7. If a sample is to be analyzed for oil and grease or for petroleum hydrocarbons, the following procedure shall be followed:

i. Collect the sample directly into the sample bottle;

ii. Use a one-liter glass bottle fitted with a Teflon(R)-lined screw cap or ground glass stopper;

iii. Leave a one-inch air space inside the sample bottle. Do not overflow the sample bottle allowing the oil and grease phase to flow out of the bottle;

iv. Do not transfer the sample into another bottle for analysis;

v. Use all of the sample, rather than an aliquot portion of the sample, for analysis.

vi. Before taking the sample from a closed conduit via a valve or faucet arrangement, allow enough water to flush through the valve or faucet prior to filling the bottle in order to obtain a representative sample;

vii. Representative grab samples taken from an open channel must be obtained at one of the following locations:

(1) Where the Froude number equals or exceeds 1 at the time of sampling and at least 90 percent of the time when a discharge exists. The Froude number is computed according to the following formula:

Click here to view image.

(2) Immediately downstream of a hydraulic jump; or

(3) From a sampling point located immediately after a V-notch weir, properly installed as a flow measuring device.

viii. Representative grab samples taken from a closed conduit must be obtained at a point where the Reynolds number exceeds 4,000 at the time of sampling and at least 90 percent of the time when a discharge exists. The Reynolds number is computed according to the following formula:

Click here to view image.

Temperature	v
32[degrees]F	1.931 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>
40[degrees]F	1.664 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>
50[degrees]F	1.410 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>
60[degrees]F	1.217 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>
70[degrees]F	1.059 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>
80[degrees]F	0.930 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>
90[degrees]F	0.826 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>
100[degrees]F	0.739 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>
110[degrees]F	0.667 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>
120[degrees]F	0.609 ft<2>/sec x 10<-5>

ix. The discharger shall document the sampling methodology, and shall make the documentation available to the Department.

x. Samples to be analyzed for oil and grease or petroleum hydrocarbons may be collected pursuant to an alternate sampling protocol approved in writing by the Department. The Department shall not approve an alternate sampling protocol unless it determines that the alternate protocol will result in the collection of representative samples.

8. Samples to be analyzed for pesticides, herbicides or PCBs, shall be collected in bottles at least one liter in size, which have been cleaned to remove all traces of these compounds and then rinsed with pesticide grade solvents before drying.

(b) Drinking water samples shall be handled and preserved in accordance with the requirements of Table 9.1 and the requirements of (b)1 through 12 below. Table 9.1 includes applicable requirements from 40 CFR 141.23, 141.24 and 143.4, and from the USEPA's September 1992 "Labcert Bulletin," EPA-814-k-92-002. If there is any conflict between Table 9.1 and the USEPA rule or publication (including any amendments or supplements) on which any part of Table 9.1 is based, the USEPA rule or publication shall control.

1. Table 9.1 requires the use of concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) for the preservation of samples to be analyzed for copper or lead. If HNO3 cannot be used because of shipping restrictions, the sample shall be shipped to the laboratory immediately, at ambient temperature. Upon receipt, the sample shall be acidified with Conc. HNO3 to pH <2 and held for at least 16 hours before analysis.

2. The laboratory shall analyze each sample as soon after collection as possible. The laboratory shall not analyze a sample after the maximum holding time listed in Table 9.1 has elapsed since collection.

3. Samples to be analyzed for asbestos, fecal coliform, total coliform, fecal streptococci, total cyanide, cyanide amenable to chlorination, acenaphthene, acrolein, acrylonitrile, anthracene, benzene, benzidine, benzo(a)anthracene or benzo(a)pyrene) shall never be frozen.

4. For samples to be analyzed for chlorinated hydrocarbons, chlorophenoxys, cyanide, purgeable organic compounds, volatile aromatic and unsaturated organic compounds, volatile halogenated organic compounds, ascorbic acid may be used only in the presence of residual chlorine.

5. When Table 9.1 lists the maximum holding time as "Analyze-Immediately," the laboratory shall analyze the sample within l5 minutes after collection.

6. Sampling location for conformance with the PWTA shall be determined as follows:

i. If there is no water treatment system in use on the subject property, samples shall be collected from a primary cold water, non-aerated spigot or tap, that draws from, or feeds water to the potable water system for the subject property.

ii. Where a water treatment system is in use on the subject property, the water treatment system shall be disconnected or otherwise disabled prior to the collection of the water sample, or the sample shall be collected at a location prior to the water treatment system.

iii. In the case of new well construction where there is no spigot or tap on the subject property, the sample may be collected directly at the well head, as set forth at N.J.A.C. 7:10-12.30.

7. PWTA samples shall be collected in accordance with the following requirements:

i. Collection, handling, and preservation of samples to be analyzed under the PWTA shall adhere to the sampling, identification, and transfer procedures described in the latest edition of Standard Methods approved by the USEPA. If there is any conflict between the collection, handling and preservation requirements in Standard Methods and the corresponding requirements in this subchapter, the requirements in Standard Methods shall control.

ii. Samples taken from any tap or spigot shall be collected by maintaining a steady water flow for at least two minutes (until the water changes temperature). Water taps used for sampling are to be free of aerators, strainers, hose attachments, mixing type faucets, and purification devices.

iii. Where the purposes of testing is to determine whether the source of a contaminant is the water source or the plumbing, a first draw sample shall be collected from an area of the plumbing where the water has been motionless for at least six hours. These results shall be compared to the result of the analysis of a sample collected in accordance with (b)7ii above.

8. The laboratory shall not report results of analysis to the Department or to any other person unless the original or true duplicate of the results is sent to the client. The report shall be signed by the laboratory manager or designee identified under N.J.A.C. 7:18-2.11(a)1 iii.

9. The laboratory shall include the following information in reporting results to the client:

i. The information specified at N.J.A.C. 7:18-4.6(h), 5.6(j), 6.6(f) and 8.5(e), as applicable;

ii. The name and mailing address of the person or persons making the request for the test;

iii. The name of the employee or authorized representative of the laboratory who collected the well sample and their certification ID number if applicable;

iv. The location of the real property, described by block and lot number, street address, municipality, and county;

v. The specific point of collection along with a description of the treatment unit if applicable;

vi. The date and time the sample was analyzed by the laboratory;

vii. The MCLs, applicable water quality standard, or action level for each parameter as set forth at N.J.A.C. 7:10-5.1, 5.2 and 7.2;

viii. The date that the results will be submitted to the Department and the method by which the results will be transmitted;

ix. A statement that the testing is for the purpose of complying with the PWTA and N.J.A.C. 7:9E;

x. Information, as provided by the Department, regarding remediation funding alternatives available and the location at which additional information may be obtained; and

xi. Any other information required by N.J.A.C. 7:9E for the submittal of information under the PWTA.

10. The laboratory shall include the following information when reporting the results to the Department:

i. The information required in (b)9 above;

ii. The initial and recounted gross alpha value determined in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:18-6.4(a)3; and

iii. Any other information required by N.J.A.C. 7:9E for the submittal of information under the PWTA.

11. Results shall be transmitted to the Department within five business days after completion of the water tests as described in N.J.A.C. 7:9E.

12. When required by N.J.A.C. 7:9E, the laboratory shall electronically submit the information specified in (b)10 above.

i. Where data submitted for the PWTA is rejected by the Department because of a failure to submit all information required above, the laboratory shall resubmit a complete set of data to the Department and to the person(s) who requested the test, within two business days of receipt of notification.

Table 9.1

Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times for Drinking Water Samples, Except Radiochemical Parameters

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(c) Non-potable water samples and solid/hazardous waste program samples (aqueous non-potable water matrices) shall be handled and preserved in accordance with the requirements of Table 9.2 and the requirements of (c)1 through 3 below. Table 9.2 includes applicable requirements from 40 CFR 136.3 and the USEPA's Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste - Physical and Chemical Methods, Third Edition 1986, as updated (referred to below as "SW-846"). If there is any conflict between Table 9.2 and the USEPA rule or publication (including any amendments or supplements) on which any part of Table 9.2 is based, the USEPA rule or publication shall control.

1. The laboratory shall perform sample preservation immediately after collecting each sample. For composite chemical samples, each aliquot shall be preserved at the time of collection, unless the use of an automated sampler makes it impossible to preserve each aliquot. In that case, chemical samples may be preserved by maintaining at four degrees Celsius until compositing and sample splitting is completed.

2. Shipping of any sample by common carrier or through the United States Mail shall be in accordance with the United States Department of Transportation's hazardous materials regulations at 49 CFR Part l72 (as such regulations are amended and supplemented). These regulations do not apply to the following materials required to be used for sample preservation: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) in water solutions at concentrations of 0.04 percent by weight or less (pH about 1.96 or greater); Nitric acid (HNO3) in water solutions at concentrations of 0.15 percent by weight (pH of about 1.62 or greater); Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in water solutions at concentrations of 0.35 percent by weight (pH of about 1.15 or greater); and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) in water solutions at concentrations of 0.080 percent by weight (pH of about 12.30 or less).

3. The laboratory shall analyze each sample as soon after collection as possible. Except as provided in (c)3i or ii below, the laboratory shall not analyze a sample after the maximum holding time listed in Table 9.2 has elapsed since collection.

i. If the laboratory has reason to believe that a sample will not be stable for the applicable maximum holding time, it shall analyze the sample within a shorter time during which the sample will remain stable;

ii. If the laboratory or the permittee has received a variance from the USEPA Regional Administrator authorizing a holding time that is longer than the applicable maximum in Table 9.2, and the laboratory or the permittee has data on file showing that the type of sample in question is stable for such a longer time, the laboratory shall analyze the sample within such longer time; or

iii. If SW-846 or the USEPA rules at 40 CFR 136.3 specifies a maximum holding time that differs from the time specified in Table 9.2, the laboratory shall not analyze a sample after the maximum holding time specified in SW-846 or 40 CFR 136.3, as applicable.

Table 9.2

Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times for Non-Potable Water Samples and Solid/Hazardous Waste Program Samples (Aqueous Non-Potable Water Matrices), Except Radiochemical Parameters

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(d) Drinking water samples that are to be subject to radiochemical measurements shall be handled and preserved in accordance with the requirements of Table 9.3 and the requirements of (d)1 below. Table 9.3 includes requirements from the USEPA's Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water, USEPA-814B-92-002. If there is any conflict between Table 9.3 and the USEPA publication (including any amendments or supplements) on which any part of Table 9.3 is based, the USEPA rule or publication shall control. The laboratory shall make radiochemical measurements using the instrumentation required under Table 9.3. In the list of required instrumentation in Table 9.3, "A" means a low background proportional system; "B" means an alpha scintillation system; "C" means a gamma spectrometer (NaI(Tl) or Ge (Li)); "D" means a scintillation cell (radon) system; "E" means a liquid scintillation system; and "F" means a fluorometer.

1. Except as provided in (d)1i or ii below, the sample shall be acidified at the time of collection, in accordance with the requirements listed under "Preservation" in Table 9.3. A minimum of l6 hours shall elapse between acidification and analysis.

i. If suspended solids activity is to be measured, then a second unpreserved sample shall be taken for this measurement; and

ii. If the sample is shipped in its original container to a certified environmental laboratory or storage area, acidification of the sample (in its original container) may be delayed for a period not to exceed five days.

2. The Department recommends a maximum holding time of six months for drinking water samples that are to be subject to radiochemical measurements for any parameter, except radon-222, radium-224 and the 48 Hour Rapid Gross Alpha Test.

i. For radon-222 and radium-224, the Department recommends a maximum holding time of four days.

ii. For the 48 Hour Rapid Gross Alpha Test conducted for conformance with the PWTA, the maximum holding time to initial counting of the plancheted sample shall be 48 hours.

Table 9.3

Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Major Instrumentation for Radiochemical Measurements in Drinking Water Samples

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(e) Non-potable water samples that are to be subject to radiochemical measurements shall be handled and preserved in accordance with the requirements of Table 9.4 and the requirements of (e)1 below. Table 9.4 incorporates requirements from 40 CFR 136.3. If there is any conflict between Table 9.4 and 40 CFR 136.3 (including any amendments or supplements), 40 CFR 136.3 shall control.

1. Except as provided in (e)1i or ii below, the sample shall be acidified at the time of collection, in accordance with the requirements listed under "Preservation" in Table 9.3. A minimum of l6 hours shall elapse between acidification and analysis.

i. If suspended solids activity is to be measured, a second unpreserved sample must be taken for this measurement; and

Table 9.4

Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times for Radiochemical Measurements in Non-Potable Water Samples

Parameter	Preservation	Container ("P" means plastic, hard or soft; "G" means glass, hard or soft.)	Maximum Holding Time
Radiochemical Tests	HNO[3] to	P, G	6 months
Alpha-Total	pH < 2
Alpha-Counting error	HNO[3] to	P, G	6 months
pH < 2
Beta-Total	HNO[3] to	P, G	6 months
pH < 2
Beta-Counting error	HNO[3] to	P, G	6 months
pH < 2
Radium-Total	HNO[3] to	P, G	6 months
pH < 2
Radium-226	HNO[3] to	P, G	6 months
pH < 2
Radon-222	Cool	P, G	4 days
4[degrees]C	(recommended)

(f) Solid/hazardous waste program samples (non-aqueous or solid and chemical materials matrix) shall be handled and preserved in accordance with the requirements of Table 9.5. Table 9.5 incorporates requirements from SW-846. If there is any conflict between Table 9.5 and SW-846 (including any amendments or supplements), SW-846 shall control.

Table 9.5

Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times for Solid/Hazardous Waste Program Samples (Soils, Liquids, Sediments, and Sludges)

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(g) CERCLA-CLP aqueous and non-aqueous samples shall be handled and preserved in accordance with the requirements of Table 9.6. Table 9.6 incorporates requirements from the USEPA's "Statement of Work for Organics Analysis," USEPA Contract Laboratory Program, Revision OLM03.1, August 1994; and "Statement of Work for Inorganic Analysis," USEPA Contract Laboratory Program, Document No. ILM04 (undated). If there is any conflict between Table 9.6 and one of these USEPA publications (including any amendments or supplements), the USEPA publication shall control. The maximum holding times specified in Table 9.6 begin at the validated time of sample receipt (VTSR) at the laboratory. The VTSR is the time shown on the chain-of-custody form as the time at which the laboratory received the sample.

Table 9.6

Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times for CERCLA-CLP Aqueous and Non-Aqueous

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(h) Air and emissions samples shall be handled and preserved in accordance with the requirements of Table 9.7 below. Table 9.7 includes applicable requirements from the methods for the analysis of airborne emissions, listed in 40 CFR 51 M, 60A, 61B, and 63A; and The Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air (EPA document EPA/625/R-96/010b). If there is any conflict between Table 9.7 and the USEPA rule or publication (including any amendments or supplements), the USEPA rule or publication shall control.

Table 9.7

Required Container, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times for Air and Emissions Samples

Parameter	Preservation	Container	Maximum
Holding Time
All Parameters	None	EPA-Approved	30 days
Determined by TO-15	Canister
All Parameters	Cool 4 degrees	Stainless steel,	30 days
Determined by TO-17	Celsius in organic	glass, or glass
solvent-free	lined stainless
environment	steel tubes packed
with > 200 mg solid
adsorbent

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:18-9.4

Amended by 47 N.J.R. 782(a), effective 4/20/2015.