Complete article from the DMRQA 27 APG eNewsletter

The DMRQA program is designed to evaluate the ability of laboratories to perform analyses and report results for the analytes contained within their respective NPDES permit. Not all permit holders are required to participate. Only major and selected minor dischargers are mandated. Your state EPA coordinator will inform you if DMRQA is required. If you do not know your coordinator, go to the DMRQA Coordinator Locator. You are only responsible for testing items that are both in your permit and included in Study 27.

E. coli, new to DMRQA 27
The analyte name Escherichia coli (E. coli) has been added to the analyte list of this year’s DMRQA study. This is a requirement of some state accreditation programs. Please check with your DMRQA coordinator to determine if how you should report your Microbiological PT results. The two options are “Fecal Coliforms as E. coli” or “Escherichia coli” either by membrane filtration (MF) or most probable number (MPN).

Improved Coordination Between Permittees and Contract Labs
The most helpful hint to give Study 27 participants is regarding coordination. If, as a permittee, you perform in-house testing and contract part to a commercial lab, coordinating which study to use will make the entire process much easier. This year, APG is doing its part to lessen the headaches by consolidating the data return forms. If it is not feasible for the permittee and commercial lab to report for the same study, the data from both can still be sent in at one time and on one form.
If you would like assistance coordinating the study, call one of APG's Customer Service Representatives. They will be happy to put you and your contract lab on the same path.

Simplify by Reporting Online
We often receive phone calls inquiring about what paperwork needs to be sent to APG. If you use our online system, the answer is easy…nothing! Our online system has all the tools necessary for you to complete your DMRQA requirements. We even have an online tutorial for additional guidance. But, if you would like to talk with someone, give us a call at 800.272.4442. APG's expert PT Coordinators can walk you through any question you might have.

Mailing or Faxing Results?
If you want to mail us results, you are only required to send us a "signed" data return form with your NPDES permit number included. Be sure to include your mailing address so we can send you an evaluation report at no extra cost. Also, as part of the program, we automatically send an evaluation report to your state and area DMRQA Coordinators. If you do choose to mail your data return form, we highly recommend using a courier service (e.g. FedEx, UPS, DHL). This way, you can track your package and be assured where and when it was delivered..

APG will also accept faxed data returns. When you send your fax, include on the cover page that you would like to be notified that it was received, and one of APG's team members will call you back to verify that all of the data was received.