Technical Assistance Documents for Sample Collectors

This page contains the following technical assistance resources for the sample collector. 

• Data Qualifier Codes
• Cost Per Analysis Fee Schedule
• VOA Vial Labeling Guidance
• Central Lab Trip Blank Filter Set-up
• Method Numbers and Practical Quantitation Limits
• Central Laboratory Floorplan
• Collectors List Email Digest
• Total Hardness Calculator

Data Qualifier Codes

Environmental laboratory data validation is accomplished through a series of checks and reviews that are intended to assure that reported results are of a verifiable and acceptable quality. When the accuracy of those results is uncertain (as indicated by deviations from established quality control limits), the laboratory must provide sufficient information to allow for independent interpretation of data validity and usability. This may include additional associated information about a sample that may not necessarily invalidate the data (e.g., reducing agents detected in a BOD sample), but must be taken into account during data assessment. This information is communicated to Departmental personnel on data reports by means of data qualifier codes.

Historically, these Remark Codes were mandated and defined by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Legacy STORET data management system. In March of 2001, the NC Division of Water Quality Laboratory Section implemented a revised suite of data qualifiers. The following table provides a key to the data qualifier codes used for analytical results reported by the NC DENR/DWQ Chemistry Laboratories located in Raleigh, Asheville and Washington. The reported value always precedes the data qualifier code. Contact the laboratory any time you have questions about data qualification and interpretation.

NC DWQ Laboratory Section Data Qualifier Codes Table

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Cost Per Analysis Fee Schedule (updated 7/18/2011)

The fee schedule provided here relates only to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality Laboratory Section’s cost recovery fees. This fee structure reflects the characteristics of the different types of analyses performed, the different matrices encountered, the regulations to which they are subject, and the level of effort expended by the Laboratory Section in producing the data. The primary focus of the Laboratory Section’s fee setting process and structure is to directly link the fees to be charged to the costs of activities required for sample preparation and handling and the issuance of reports and to recover the full costs of these activities.  

Determinations were based on an estimate of the number of hours laboratory personnel spend on work necessary for processing a sample and generating a report. It should be noted that the posted fees were determined per average load – a single sample generally demands more resources on a per sample basis. Different sample matrices (e.g., water, soil, fish tissue) are charged differential fees in recognition of the relative complexity of these samples and the frequency of laboratory surveillance. The following items were also considered when these estimates were established:

• Sample collection materials supplied by the Laboratory Section
• Sample receipt and login activities
• Reagent preparation
• Quality control
• Consumables
• Man-hours required for all aspects of sample analysis and reporting
• Instrument maintenance
• Personnel salaries
• Building utilities  

We hope this information will be useful in your compliance and enforcement activities. You may contact the laboratory with any questions regarding this fee schedule at (919) 733-3908. 

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VOA Vial Labeling Guidance

The Chemistry Lab requests each VOA vial submitted to be labeled appropriately to prevent misidentification. The VOA Vial Labeling Guidance describes multiple options for accomplishing this.

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Central Lab Trip Blank Filter Set-up