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PROGRAMS: Quality Assurance
Program
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy requires that all state
and territorial agencies involved in the collection and generation
of environmental data for the protection of environmental health and
compliance purposes, develop and maintain a quality assurance (QA)
program.
Major
tasks and responsibilities of DPNR/DEP’s QA Program include:
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Development, management and maintenance of the DPNR/DEP’s
written quality assurance management plan (QAMP).
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Review and approval of quality assurance project
plans (QAPP’s) and
standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for all DPNR/DEP environmental
programs. Review and approval of QAPP’s and SOP’s for all contractors
and permittees performing work on behalf of the DPNR and/or permittees.
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Assist and work closely with DPNR/DEP program
coordinators and supervisors in the implementation of QA activities.
Perform systems and performance audits of DPNR/DEP technical staff and
work practices.
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Provide technical assistance to programs and obtain
assistance from the EPA's Quality Assurance Office as necessary.
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Perform annual management system reviews (MSR’s) of all
applicable DPNR/DEP programs.
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Perform file management and record keeping audits of all
programs annually.
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Prepare and submit quarterly and annual accomplishment
reports, in addition to quality assurance work plans.
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Oversee the Drinking Water Laboratory Certification
Program (DWLC). Perform systems and performance audits for field
activities of the Public Water Supply System Program.
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Ensure that
all contract laboratories used to analyze USVI drinking water samples
have been certified to perform these analyses.
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Drinking Water Laboratory
Certification
All environmental laboratories, government and
privately-owned, supplying data for decisions relating to compliance
with the Safe Drinking Water Act must be certified.
Administration and oversight of the Drinking Water
Laboratory Certification Program in the US Virgin Islands is provided
under DPNR/DEP’s QA Program.
DEP’s QA
staff manages day-to-day operations of the Laboratory Certification
Program, including the review of applications, laboratory plans, lab
quality assurance plans and the issuance of certifications, pursuant
to each laboratory’s compliance with all criteria and quality control
standards required by the SDWA. |
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