Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 100-199 - Environmental Protection General
Chapter NR 149 - Laboratory Accreditation
Subchapter VII - Quality Systems
Section NR 149.47 - Reporting results

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง NR 149.47

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) GENERAL PROVISIONS.

(a) The laboratory shall report results of each test performed by the laboratory in accordance with any requirements or instructions specified in the methods or by the department.

(b) The laboratory shall quantitate sample results only from initial instrument calibrations, unless otherwise allowed by method, regulation, or covered program or unless any of the following applies:
1. Samples analyzed by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometers and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers having responses at or greater than 90% of the established upper limit of the linear dynamic range of the instruments shall be diluted and reanalyzed.

2. When an analyte does not perform as well as most of the analytes in a multi-analyte initial calibration, analysis may proceed, and results reported for these analytes, provided that the results are appropriately qualified as required in this section.

(c) When samples cannot be diluted and reanalyzed, the laboratory shall report sample results with appropriate qualifiers.

(d) The laboratory shall establish procedures for reporting results for samples analyzed by dual column and dual detector systems. These procedures shall establish all the following prior to analysis:
1. A primary column or primary detector from which results shall be reported.

2. The conditions under which a presumptive identification is confirmed and reported from the secondary column or detector.

(e) When results are greater than the LOQ on dual column or dual detector systems, and the RPD exceeds 40%, then the higher of the two results shall be reported unless the analyst defensibly documents that the higher result is biased due to interference. In this case the laboratory may report the lower result with a qualifier indicating the value of the higher result or report both results.

(f) Excluding microbiological results, MCL exceedances for any regulated analyte associated with ch. NR 809 compliance monitoring shall be reported by the laboratory to the affected water supply facility within 48 hours of completing sample results.

Note: Laboratories performing bacteriological testing for a covered program are certified or approved under ch. ATCP 77 by the department of agriculture, trade, and consumer protection.

(2) FORMAT AND CONTENT.

(a) Laboratory test reports shall have formats that facilitate reviewing the content elements specified in this section, unless otherwise provided by pars. (b), (c), and (d). Content elements may be presented in any form, including electronic media.

(b) When tests are performed for internal clients or when a laboratory has a written agreement with a client, the laboratory may issue reports without all the content elements specified in this section. The laboratory shall retain and make available to the department, upon request, records that include the content elements specified in this section.

(c) A laboratory that is operated by a facility whose function is to provide data to monitor the facility's compliance with covered programs shall retain and make available to the department, upon request, records that include the content elements specified in this section. Laboratory reports with all the content elements specified in this section are not required to be issued if any of the following apply:
1. The laboratory is responsible for preparing regulatory reports in a specified format to the department.

2. The laboratory provides information to another individual within the facility for preparation of regulatory reports in a specified format to the department.

(d) Unless otherwise specified by the department, for covered programs that receive data on behalf of a facility, directly from a laboratory, or when provided by pars. (b) and (c), test reports from the laboratory shall include all the following information.
1. The name of the laboratory where the tests were performed.

2. The laboratory's accreditation identification number.

3. The sample identifying information provided by the client or collector.

4. Identification of the methods used for preparation and analysis.

5. The collection date of the samples.

6. Collection, preparation, and analysis times for tests with holding times expressed in hours.

7. The dates of analysis, extraction, or digestion, when a holding time has been established for the preparation step.

8. When non-aqueous sample results are reported, the laboratory shall indicate whether the non-aqueous sample results were reported on a dry weight or wet weight basis.

9. The LOD and LOQ for tests which the department requires reporting to the LOD.

10. Except for HRGC/MS analysis, for sample results requiring adjustments, an indication of whether the LOD and LOQ have been adjusted accordingly.

Note: Sample adjustments are any sample dilutions or sample amounts that were used differently than those used in the initial demonstration of capability and MDL studies.

11. The units of measurement.

12. The date of the test report.

13. Any qualifiers with reported results.

14. The identity of the subcontract laboratory, for each reported result generated by a subcontract laboratory.

(3) Amendments to laboratory test reports.

(a) A laboratory may make amendments to a test report already issued by the laboratory in a manner that clearly identifies the reasons for the amendment and that references the original laboratory test report.

(b) Amended reports shall comply with the requirements of this section.

(4) SAMPLE REJECTION OR QUALIFICATION OF RESULTS. The laboratory shall handle results for samples received with insufficient volume to complete the requested analyses, samples received beyond holding time, samples received improperly preserved, samples received in inappropriate containers, or samples received showing evidence that the samples have not been collected according to approved procedures as follows:

(a) Drinking water samples shall be rejected for analysis unless the laboratory has documented instructions from the client to proceed with analyses and all reported results are accompanied by a disclaimer attesting that the results may not be used to determine or evaluate compliance with the safe drinking water act.

(b) Non-drinking water samples shall be rejected for analysis or appropriately qualified.

(5) SAMPLES REQUIRING REANALYSIS OR QUALIFICATION OF RESULTS. Samples shall be re-analyzed, or the affected sample results qualified when any of the following occur:

(a) The concentration of an analyte in the ICB exceeds its LOD.

(b) A CCV standard exceeds limits.

(c) The concentration of an analyte in the CCB or method blank exceeds the criteria specified in s. NR 149.48(5) (d).

(d) An LCS exceeds limits.

(e) Surrogates or internal standard recoveries exceed limits, unless the failures result from matrix interference, reanalysis is not required but the laboratory shall qualify the results of the affected samples.

(f) When reporting results to the LOD, the concentration of each non-spiked target element in an interference check standard exceeds 10/3 their corresponding LOD for ICP analysis.

The examples for qualifying data listed in this section are common situations. Other situations may exist that could require qualification of data.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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