PM09 WET Testing
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Monday, 10 November 2003
(PM154) Status of WET Pellston Conference Recommendations: Test Variability.
Cooney, J1, Fulk, F1, Matthews, M1, Downey, P1, Fleming, K1, Gully, J1, Pletl, J1, Rowland, C1, de Vlaming, V1, Albrecht, B1, 1 SETAC WET Expert Advisory panel on Performance Evaluation and Data Interpretation
ABSTRACT- Participants at the Pellston Workshop on whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing in 1995 evaluated WET methods and their ability to predict receiving water impacts. Workshop participants concluded that WET methods were functional and appropriate for use in the NPDES program. The participants also indicated that the question of the variability of the WET methods needed to be addressed and accurately determined. The SETAC WET Expert Advisory Panel on Performance Evaluation and Data Interpretation evaluated the state of the science in relation to the workshop recommendations. This presentation focuses on progress made in addressing workshop recommendations regarding WET test variability including: establishing WET test-specific variability limits, developing guidance on data interpretation, implementing a quality assurance and audit program for WET testing laboratories, and providing procurement guidance for WET permittees. In general, significant progress has been made with regards to understanding and quantifying the variability of WET tests. Progress is also evident in the area of quality assurance and quality-control programs in the United States at the national level; however, there is still room for improvement in this area.
Key words: test variability, whole effluent toxicity, data interpretation, QA/QC