Christmas in July
Data Packages Unwrapped

Article written by Andi Roberts, Account Executive, Analytical Products Group

Complete Article from Edition 6 APG eNewsletter

Several questions continue to arise during my conversations with customers who are wading through the DMRQA paperwork. The main focus of these conversations is the US EPA’s Data Package. Listed below are some of the common questions and answers that I believe will assist you:

Q.	Once I send my results to APG do I need to do anything else?
A.	Yes, you need to put together your Data Package and mail it to your DMRQA Coordinator by August 29th.
Q.	What is a Data Package?
A.	Your Data Package is a copy of the data that you report to any provider to meet your DMRQA requirements, and a copy of the required DMRQA forms that are found in the yellow packet (DMRQA Announcement Letter) from the US EPA.   Document Title Description Location Analyte Checklist A checklist of analytes included in the DMRQA Study Page 8 of the yellow packet from the EPA US EPA DMR-QA Study 23 Laboratory Performance Evaluation A form that requests permit information and the name of the certifying official Page 1 of the EPA forms located at the back of the yellow packet US EPA DMR-QA Study 23 Laboratory Performance Evaluation A checklist and instructions on filling out the forms on pages 1, 3, and 4 Page 2 of the EPA forms located at the back of the yellow packet US EPA DMR-QA Study 23 Laboratory Performance Evaluation A form used to identify all labs that performed analysis for your NPDES permit Page 3 of the EPA forms located at the back of the yellow packet US EPA DMR-QA Study 23 Laboratory Performance Evaluation A continuation of page 3 Page 4 of the EPA forms located at the back of the yellow packet
Q.	Does APG send a copy of my results to the state?
A.	Yes, we do send a copy of your results to your DMRQA coordinator. However, the US EPA requires that the permittee send a copy of the data submitted to any provider (APG is a provider) to your DMRQA coordinator along with the US EPA forms that came in the yellow packet (DMRQA Announcement Letter).
Q.	My data is due on August 15th but my contract lab says they are not reporting their data to me until after my due date; do I have to make two Data Packages to send to my State Coordinator?
A.	APG recommends waiting to send all your copies at once instead of sending several incomplete Data Packages. The Data Packages are not due back to the DMRQA Coordinators until August 29th so you have time to send your DMRQA Coordinator your Data Package.
Q.	I reported my APG data online for DMRQA. Can I print out a copy of the results I received in my confirmation and use that to send in my Data Package?
A.	Yes, you can print your online data entry confirmation and include it in your Data Package.