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Analytical Methods and Laboratory Certification

Safe Drinking Water Act Analytical Methods and Laboratory

Certification

Public water systems must demonstrate that their water meets health based standards by periodically monitoring for

the presence of specific contaminants.

Approved analytical methods must be used when analyzing water samples to meet federal monitoring requirements or

to demonstrate compliance with drinking water regulations. EPA reviews and approves methods that can be used.

Laboratories that analyze these compliance samples must be certified by EPA or the State. EPA carries out a program

to ensure that laboratories are certified as qualified to conduct analyses on drinking water samples.

Basic Information – This page provides information on the programs carried out to ensure quality of

drinking water analyses.

Analytical Methods – This page provides information on methods approved by EPA for drinking water

analysis.

Laboratory Certification – This page provides information on EPA’s certification program and provides links

to state certification officers.

Expedited Method Approval – This page provides information on how EPA will approve new methods

outside of the traditional rule-making process.

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Basic Information about Analytical Methods and Laboratory Certification under the Safe Drinking Water Act | Laboratory Certification | US EPA

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You are here: Water Science & Technology Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Basic Information about

Analytical Methods and Laboratory Certification under the Safe Drinking Water Act

Basic Information about Analytical Methods and Laboratory

Certification under the Safe Drinking Water Act

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Laboratory Role

Water System Monitoring Frequency

Analytical Method

Drinking Water Method Developers

EPA Method Approval Processes

Laboratory Certification Requirements

Water System Sampling Results

Laboratory Fraud

Laboratory Role

Laboratories analyze public water systems’ (PWSs) water samples and provide the PWSs with information on the quality

of their water.

Water sample types analyzed and purposes of analysis:

Source water samples are analyzed to check for contamination and determine general water quality

characteristics that influence the treatment processes.

Process water samples are analyzed to provide key information relevant to treatment optimization.

Finished water samples are analyzed to verify the water meets health-based and aesthetic standards and

periodically check for contaminants that are not regulated in drinking water.

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Water System Monitoring Frequency

Monitoring schedules differ according to the type of contaminant, the type of source water used to produce drinking

water, and the population served by the public water system. Each regulation outlines the requirements that systems

must follow. EPA’s Quick Reference Guides provide a simple overview of the monitoring requirements associated with

most regulations.

EPA’s Drinking Water Quick Reference Guides

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Analytical Method

An analytical method is a procedure that determines the concentration of a contaminant in a water sample.

Analytical methods generally describe:

How to collect, preserve, and store the sample.

Procedures to concentrate, separate, identify, and quantify contaminants present in the sample.

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Basic Information about Analytical Methods and Laboratory Certification under the Safe Drinking Water Act | Laboratory Certification | US EPA

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Quality control criteria the analytical data must meet.

How to report the results of the analysis.

In general, an analytical method:

Is applicable to routine analyses of samples.

Is suitable for measuring the drinking water contaminant in the concentration range of interest.

Provides data with the necessary accuracy and precision to demonstrate compliance or meet monitoring

objectives in a wide variety of drinking water matrices.

Includes instructions for all aspects of the analysis from sample collection to data reporting.

Incorporates appropriate quality control criteria so that acceptable method performance is demonstrated

during the analysis of samples.

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Drinking Water Method Developers

EPA obtains analytical methods from a variety of sources. Many methods are developed by EPA or other governmental

organizations. Consensus method organizations such as Standard Methods and ASTM, International often provide

methods that are suitable for drinking water analyses. Methods may also be developed by university, commercial or

public water system laboratories, and by commercial vendors.

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EPA Method Approval Processes

When a monitoring requirement for a contaminant is established, EPA approves at least one analytical method by

specifying it in the regulation. Additional methods for the contaminant may be approved by issuing another regulation

or by publishing an action in the Federal Register.

Expedited Method Approval

Drinking water methods must be approved by EPA before they can be used to analyze samples to meet federal

monitoring requirements or to demonstrate compliance with drinking water regulations. New drinking water methods

may be submitted to EPA for evaluation under EPA’s Alternate Test Procedure (ATP) program. The ATP program

evaluates methods that are alternatives to the test procedures that are listed in the drinking water regulations.

ATP program

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Laboratory Certification Requirements

Laboratories analyzing drinking water compliance samples must be certified by U.S. EPA or the State. Certified

laboratories must successfully analyze proficiency testing samples, use approved methods, and successfully pass

periodic on-site audits.

Laboratory Certification Program

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Water System Sampling Results

Each year by July 1 you should receive in the mail a short report (consumer confidence report or drinking water quality

report) from your water supplier that tells where your water comes from and what is in it. You can also contact your

local supplier if you have questions about their results of testing. If you want to have your water tested, EPA

recommends you use a lab certified by your state.

See if your report is posted on-line

State Laboratory Certification Officers

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Basic Information about Analytical Methods and Laboratory Certification under the Safe Drinking Water Act | Laboratory Certification | US EPA

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Laboratory Fraud

EPA recommends that state laboratory certification programs and certified labs develop fraud detection programs to

ensure that the public can have confidence in drinking water analytical results.

If you suspect fraudulent activity related to drinking water analysis, notify:

your State or Regional points of contact, or

contact EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA).

If the suspected fraud involves EPA staff, programs or contracts, contact EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).

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Drinking Water Analytical Methods | Laboratory Certification | US EPA

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You are here: Water Science & Technology Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Drinking Water Analytical

Methods

Drinking Water Analytical Methods

Water systems must use EPA-approved analytical methods when analyzing samples to meet

federal monitoring requirements or to demonstrate compliance with drinking water

regulations. Approved methods are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations after

publication in a final rule or as part of an expedited approval. Approved methods are

developed by EPA, other government agencies, universities, consensus methods

organizations, water laboratories, and instrument manufacturers.

Analytical Methods Approved for Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring

Sources of Drinking Water Methods

Technical Notes on Drinking Water Methods

Related Links

Analytical Methods Approved for Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring

The following documents list all of the methods that are currently approved by EPA for the analysis of drinking water

samples. Each document focuses on the methods that are applicable to a specific monitoring requirement. When a

method can be obtained by direct download from the Internet, the report identifies the link. EPA will update these

tables periodically.

Inorganic Contaminants and Other Inorganic Constituents (June 2011) (PDF) (59 pp, 780K)

Radionuclides (June 2011) (PDF) (23 pp, 125K)

Organic Contaminants (June 2011) (PDF) (25 pp, 522K)

Disinfection Byproduct Rules (June 2008) (PDF) (22 pp, 96K)

Total Coliform Rule (June 2008) (PDF) (18 pp, 101K)

Ground Water Rule (June 2008) (PDF) (10 pp, 606K)

Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (June 2008) (PDF) (10 pp, 62K)

Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (June 2008) (PDF) (20 pp, 80K)

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule – Cycle 2

Recommended Methods for Secondary Drinking Water Contaminants (June 2011) (PDF) (30 pp, 513K)

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Sources of Drinking Water Methods

Sources of Approved Analytical Methods for National Drinking Water Regulations (June 2008) (PDF) (6 pp,

30K)

This table provides information on how to obtain copies of approved methods cited in the tables above

that are not available on the Internet.

Analytical Methods Developed by EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

Analytical Methods for Chemical Contaminants Developed by EPA’s Office of Research and Development

Analytical Methods for Microbial Contaminants Developed by EPA’s Office of Research and Development

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Drinking Water Analytical Methods | Laboratory Certification | US EPA

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Technical Notes on Drinking Water Methods

In October 1994, Technical Notes on Drinking Water Methods (EPA/600/R-94/173) was published as a joint effort of

the Office of Water and the Office of Research and Development. This publication was prepared to add modifications,

clarifications, options or improvements to methods that had previously been approved and published. EPA elected to

describe these changes in this document and thereby allow the public to use these changes more immediately. This

document is available through EPA’s digital publications National Environmental Publications Internet Site (NEPIS)

database.

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Related Links

Clean Water Act Analytical Methods

EPA Test Methods Collection

National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI)

National Methods and Data Comparability Board

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Laboratory Certification Program | Laboratory Certification | US EPA

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You are here: Water Science & Technology Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program

Laboratory Certification Program

EPA’s Office of Water implements the Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program in

partnership with EPA Regions and States. Laboratories must be certified by EPA or the State

to analyze drinking water samples for compliance monitoring. Certified laboratories must

successfully analyze proficiency testing samples annually, use approved methods, and

successfully pass periodic on-site audits. EPA recommends that consumers use State

certified laboratories for water testing.

On this page

State Certification Programs

Laboratory Certification Manual

Certification Officer Training

Proficiency Testing Studies

Other EPA Laboratory Approval

Laboratory Certification Bulletins

Laboratory Fraud

State Certification Programs

Contact your State Certification Program for a list of certified laboratories and to answer technical questions.

Questions may also be directed to the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

State Certification Programs

Safe Drinking Water Hotline

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Laboratory Certification Manual

The Manual describes the Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program implementation procedures, laboratory

procedures, and technical criteria laboratories must meet to analyze drinking water compliance samples.

Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water, Fifth Edition (PDF) (209 pp, 4M)

EPA 815-R-05-004, January 2005

Supplement to the Fifth Edition of the Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing

Drinking Water (PDF) (9 pp, 59K)

EPA 815-F-08-006, June 2008

Order a hardcopy of the manual through EPA’s digital publications National Environmental

Publications Internet Site (NEPIS) database.

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Certification Officer Training

EPA conducts chemistry and microbiology Certification Officer Training courses.

Training attendees:

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Laboratory Certification Program | Laboratory Certification | US EPA

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Must be nominated by their Regional Certification Officer to attend the training.

Should be experienced professionals.

Should have at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent education/experience in the discipline they will

certify.

Should have recent laboratory experience in the discipline they will audit.

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Proficiency Testing Studies

Certified laboratories must successfully analyze proficiency testing (PT) samples annually for each method that they

desire certification.

State Certification Programs may:

Require laboratories to participate in a specific private sector PT program and have the results sent to the

State by the PT study provider.

Elect to serve as PT study providers themselves.

Permit a laboratory to participate in any accredited PT study and have the results sent to the State.

Many States use PT providers accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) or the

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-American Society for Quality (ASQ) National Accreditation Board/ACLASS.

The NELAC Institute (TNI) selected A2LA and ACLASS as PT Provider Accreditors.

The NELAC Institute (TNI)

American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)

ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board/ACLASS

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Other EPA Laboratory Approval

EPA implements laboratory approval programs for contaminants not covered under State certification programs. This

includes the program for Cryptosporidium monitoring under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule

and the program for analyses under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule – Cycle 2.

Laboratories that analyze source water samples for Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act must be

approved by EPA.

Cryptosporidium Laboratory Quality Assurance Program

Laboratories that analyze samples for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule – Cycle 2 must be approved by

EPA.

UCMR 2 Laboratory Approval Program

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Laboratory Certification Bulletins

EPA publishes Laboratory Certification (LabCert) Bulletins periodically. The bulletins contain information of interest to

drinking water laboratories and drinking water laboratory certification officers.

Disclaimer: The information contained in these bulletins may be dated and was current at the time

of publication. Please contact your State Certification Programs to answer technical questions.

Questions may also be directed to the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

March 2003 Bulletin (PDF) (10 pp, 61K)

January 2002 Bulletin (PDF) (11 pp, 63K)

March 2001 Bulletin (PDF) (15 pp, 93K)

January 2000 Bulletin (PDF) (15 pp, 113K)
Laboratory Certification Program | Laboratory Certification | US EPA

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Laboratory Fraud

EPA recommends that state laboratory certification programs and certified labs develop fraud detection programs to

ensure that the public can have confidence in drinking water analytical results.

If you suspect fraudulent activity related to drinking water analysis, notify:

your State or Regional points of contact, or

contact EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA).

If the suspected fraud involves EPA staff, programs or contracts, contact EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).

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Expedited Method Approval Process | Laboratory Certification | US EPA

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Process

Expedited Method Approval Process

EPA can use an expedited process to announce the approval of new drinking water analytical

methods in the Federal Register. The process provides laboratories and water systems more

timely access to new alternative testing methods than the traditional rulemaking process.

Expedited Method Approval Requirements

 Expedited Method Approval Federal Register Notices

 Methods Approved Under the Expedited Process

Expedited Method Approval Requirements

There are several requirements that must be met before a new method can be approved using the expedited process.

Public water systems must be required by federal regulation to monitor for a contaminant that is an analyte in

the new method.

Drinking water regulations must list at least one approved method for the contaminant (i.e., a method that was

approved using the rulemaking process).

A comparison of the new alternative method to the approved method(s) must show the new method to be

equally effective in determining the concentration of the contaminant.

New methods may be submitted for evaluation under the Alternate Test Procedure (ATP) program. A new method can

be considered for approval using the expedited process, if it has performance characteristics that fall within the range

of performance characteristics obtained by the methods listed in regulation for the same contaminant.

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Expedited Method Approval Federal Register Notices

June 28, 2012 Notice - EPA approves 10 methods

Fact Sheet on the June 28, 2012 Federal Register Notice (PDF) (2 pp, 445K)

June 24, 2011 Notice - EPA approves 11 new methods

Fact Sheet on the June 24, 2011 Federal Register Notice (PDF) (2 pp, 45K)

June 8, 2010 Notice - EPA approves 12 new methods | PDF Version (8 pp, 98K)

Fact Sheet on the June 8, 2010 Federal Register Notice (PDF) (2 pp, 23K)

November 10, 2009 Notice – EPA approves 25 new methods | PDF Version (11 pp, 110K)

August 3, 2009 Notice – EPA approves six new methods | PDF Version (14 pp, 72K)

June 29, 2009 - National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Minor Correction to Stage 2 Disinfectants and

Disinfection Byproducts Rule and Changes in References to Analytical Methods | PDF Version (7 pp, 83K)

June 3, 2008 Notice – EPA publishes first list of methods approved under the expedited process | PDF

Version (18 pp, 1.1M)

April 10, 2007 Notice – Announcement of EPA’s plan to implement the expedited process

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Methods Approved Under the Expedited Process

Appendix A to Subpart C in 40 CFR 141 (June 28, 2012) (PDF) (21 pp, 218K)

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