Environmental Laboratory Community Growth and Outreach Stacie Crandall, HRSD 2017 GLP Conference July 25, 2017
The Environmental Laboratory Community Who are we? Analytical Chemists Biochemists Inorganic Chemists Organic Chemists Biologists Microbiologists Operators Other 2
The Environmental Laboratory Community Who are we? We are multidisciplinary professionals focused on providing scientifically sound data to make reliable decisions for compliance purposes and ultimately to protect or improve the environment and public health.* We have strong ethics, education, experience and technical backgrounds that make us valuable stakeholders in the water and wastewater industry.* We have a desire to continuously learn about new and innovative things in our industry* * This is just my opinion and summary 3
The Environmental Laboratory Community Community- a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society (Merriam- Webster) Self-organized network of people with common agenda, cause, or interest, who collaborate by sharing ideas, information, and other resources. Virtual communities consist of participants in online discussions on topics of mutual concern, or of those who frequent certain websites (Business Dictionary On-Line) 4
Our Impact on the Water Industry 5
Our Impact on the Water Industry Decisions based on laboratory data Human health Regulatory compliance Determination of waterway health or impairment Treatment performance Facility design Research 6
Our Impact on the Water Industry Regulatory Impact Comments on Regulations Federal- 40 CFR Part 136, 141, 142 State- 1VAC30-45 1VCA30-46 Comments on Methods 40 CFR Part 136 SW 846 Standard Methods ASTM Comments on Standards The NELAC Institute 7
Outreach Opportunities- Education 8
Outreach Opportunities- Education Water Environment Federation (WEF) Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation. 9
Outreach Opportunities- Education WEF Laboratory Practices Committee Made up of volunteer members from academia, consulting firms, utilities, government agencies, and manufacturers. WEFLPC develops technical products to promote general understanding of laboratory practices for water and wastewater. Membership is open to all WEF members. 10
Outreach Opportunities- Education WEF LPC Development of workshops, seminars, training, and technical sessions for WEFTEC and other events Development of publications related to laboratory practices topics Support development of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater through the Standard Methods Subcommittee Submission of comments to pending laboratory related regulations, guidance, and accreditation entities such as The NELAC Institute (TNI) Development of public outreach presentations expressing laboratory practices issues Partnering with other organizations in development of laboratory practices activities 11
Outreach Opportunities- Education WEF LPC Development of workshops, seminars, training, and technical sessions for WEFTEC and other events Development of publications related to laboratory practices topics Support development of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater through the Standard Methods Subcommittee Submission of comments to pending laboratory related regulations, guidance, and accreditation entities such as The NELAC Institute (TNI) Development of public outreach presentations expressing laboratory practices issues Partnering with other organizations in development of laboratory practices activities 12
Outreach Opportunities- Education American Water Works Association (AWWA) VISION- A better world through better water. MISSION- Providing solutions to effectively manage water, the world's most important resource. CORE PRINCIPLES Protect Public Health Safeguard the Environment Share Best Practices Inspire Innovation Foster Diversity and Inclusion 13
Outreach Opportunities- Education American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Quality Laboratory Committee under the Water Quality & Technology Division, which in turn is part of the Technical & Education Council of AWWA. The Water Quality Laboratory Committee is composed of representatives from utility, public health, government, and university laboratories. Its mission it to study, report and provide training on issues pertinent to water quality laboratory activities and responsibilities 14
Outreach Opportunities- Education VWEA VA-AWWA LPC The Laboratory Practices Committee was formed to determine and address laboratory related concerns of the Association s membership, promote professionalism in laboratory practices, and to sponsor a seminar each year on new and changing laboratory methodologies and requirements. 15
Outreach Opportunities- Education VWEA VA-AWWA LPC The Laboratory Practices Committee was formed to determine and address laboratory related concerns of the Association s membership, promote professionalism in laboratory practices, and to sponsor a seminar each year on new and changing laboratory methodologies and requirements. 16
American Chemical Society Outreach Opportunities- Education With nearly 157,000 members, the American Chemical Society (ACS) is the world s largest scientific society and one of the world s leading sources of authoritative scientific information. A nonprofit organization, chartered by Congress, ACS is at the forefront of the evolving worldwide chemistry enterprise and the premier professional home for chemists, chemical engineers and related professions around the globe. We strive to be a force of good. 17
Outreach- Regulations and Standards 18
Outreach- Regulations and Standards WEF Government Affairs Committee The Committee shall provide direction and leadership on the formation of government environmental policies, interaction with WEF members and MAs on these policies, and implementation of sound environmental policies. 19
WEF Government Affairs Committee Outreach- Regulations and Standards Position WEF as a recognized expert voice on all water; Provide input on environment-related policies through actions including engagement with government officials and written comments and testimony on regulatory and legislative matters; Inform WEF members and MAs and work towards internal consensus on environmental policy issues; Promote the establishment of practical and scientifically sound international long-term environmental policy objectives; Serve as an advocate of WEF positions within the U.S. and issues relating to U.S. environmental policy; Work with the Committee members to implement Strategic Priorities and advance WEF's Position Statements. 20
Outreach- Regulations and Standards The NELAC Institute The purpose of the organization is to foster the generation of environmental data of known and documented quality through an open, inclusive and transparent process that is responsive to the needs of the community.
Board of Directors NELAP AC Executive Director and Staff Admin CSDP NEFAP PTP Advocacy Finance IT Nominating Policy CSDP EC NEFAP EC Asbestos Chemistry Field Activities LAB Microbiology Proficiency Testing Radiochemistry SSAS WET PTP EC Chemistry Micro Protozoa WET NELAP LAS EC TNRC
Outreach- Regulations and Standards TNI Programs Consensus Standards Development Program National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) National Environmental Field Activities Program (NEFAP) Proficiency Testing Program Stationary Source Audit Sample Program (SSAS) Administration and Support
TNI Expert Committees Outreach- Regulations and Standards Asbestos (New in 2017) Chemistry Field Activities Microbiology Proficiency Testing Radiochemistry Laboratory Accreditation Body Laboratory Quality Systems Stationary Source Audit Sample Whole Effluent Toxicity 24
Outreach- Regulations and Standards Standard Methods Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater was first published in 1905. Since that time, and through 20 editions, Standard Methods has included hundreds of analytical techniques for the determination of water quality. These techniques have been developed by a number of water quality researchers who have been members of the Standard Methods Committee. This committee, consisting of over 500 people, is charged with the review and approval of methods to be included in Standard Methods. In addition, committee members serve on Joint Task Groups (JTGs) that are charged with the review, revision, and approval of a specific section of Standard Methods. 25
Outreach- Regulations and Standards Standard Methods The Joint Editorial Board Part Coordinators The Standard Methods Committee Joint Task Groups General Balloting Unsolicited Ballots Negative Votes General Ballot Response 26
Outreach- Regulations and Standards Standard Methods The Joint Editorial Board Part Coordinators The Standard Methods Committee Joint Task Groups General Balloting Unsolicited Ballots Negative Votes General Ballot Response 27
Outreach- Regulations and Standards Standard Methods The result of a joint effort by three technical societies: APHA WEF AWWA 28
Summary 29
Summary How has the VA Lab Community Made a Difference? WEF LPC WEF and VWEA Operations Challenge Support AWWA LPC TNI Committee Comments for 30VAC-45 and 46 Comments for 40 CFR part 136 MUR 30
Summary How can the Virginia Lab Community Make a difference in the future? 31