CWEA Lab Analyst Grade 1 Study Guide 2026
What does Analysis Requested refer to in CoC? The exact tests required (e.g., BOD, TSS, Metals).
What is included in the Custody Transfer Signatures An unbroken sequential log of 'Relinquished By' and 'Received By' signatures,
section of CoC? dates, and times for every single handoff.
What is verified in the Lab Receipt Verification section The arrival temperature of the sample cooler (typically) and a note on sample
of CoC? condition (intact, no leaks).
Chain of Custody (CoC) A Chain of Custody (COC) form tracks a wastewater sample from collection
to disposal. To be legally and regulatorily valid, it must include these
essential elements:
- Project & Sampler Info
- Sample Identification
- Collection Details
- Preservatives & Containers
- Analysis Requested
- Custody Transfer Signatures
- Lab Receipt Verification
Initial Demonstration of Competency (IDOC) Standard IDOC components include:
• Analysis of QC sample
• Spike matrix spike sample with adequate recovery
• Multiple analysis of sample with adequate recovery
IDOC "4-Replicate" Test Preparing and analyzing four identical samples of a clean matrix (like distilled
water) spiked with a known concentration of the target pollutant.
Accuracy How close a measurement is to the true value; the average recovery of the
pollutant must hit target percentages (often 80% to 120%)
Precision A measure of how close a series of measurements are to one another; the
consistency between the four runs must be tight, usually measured as a
Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) of 15% or less
Clean Water Act (1972) Authorized EPA to develop regulations for wastewater and discharges to
navigable waters; regulates pollution discharges without NPDES permit
Clean Water Act (CWA) 1972; set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be
discharged into waterways; aims to make surface waters swimmable and
fishable
Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) Authorized EPA to develop regulations for drinking water treatment, operator
certification, laboratory analysis, and maximum contaminant levels.
Establishes drinking water standards for tap water safety, requires rules for
groundwater protection from underground injection
, CWEA Lab Analyst Grade 1 Study Guide 2026
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments Amended in 1986 and 1996.
- 1996 amendments added a fund to pay for water system upgrades, revised
standard: setting requirements, required new standards for common
contaminants, and included public "right to know" requirements to inform
consumers about their tap water.
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System: required permit for discharges
to navigable waters
Primacy Authority taken by states (like California) to enforce federal regulations on
behalf of the federal government; California's State Water Resources Control
Board enforces CWA and SDWA
ELAP Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program: California's accrediting
body for laboratories; operates under State Water Boards' Department of
Drinking Water
ELAP Certification Scope Issues FOA (Fields of Analysis) certificates for specific methods and analytes;
ELAP's approved list is shorter than EPA's list (CFR 136) due to resource
constraints
40 CFR 136 The regulations for sampling preservation and analyses of water, wastewater,
and solid waste.
Describes approved test methods for wastewater analysis, required QA/QC,
allowable method modifications, sample preservation, hold times, and MDL
determination
Method Update Rule (MUR) EPA publishes annually; provides comments on existing approved methods,
useful hints, allowable modifications, and waste-reduction strategies
Analyst Responsibility Must be competent in methods used AND aware of current MUR comments
and allowable modifications
Quality Assurance (QA) Broader systematic monitoring and evaluation to ensure quality standards are
met; includes preventive procedures, maintenance, periodic checks;
documented in quality manual
Quality Control (QC) Demonstration of adherence to QA program through specific QC tests;
verification and maintenance of desired quality level; SOPs and actual QC
data/traceback
Method Blank (MB) A blank that has undergone the entire sample preparation process
• Monitors the sample preparation process for contamination
What does Analysis Requested refer to in CoC? The exact tests required (e.g., BOD, TSS, Metals).
What is included in the Custody Transfer Signatures An unbroken sequential log of 'Relinquished By' and 'Received By' signatures,
section of CoC? dates, and times for every single handoff.
What is verified in the Lab Receipt Verification section The arrival temperature of the sample cooler (typically) and a note on sample
of CoC? condition (intact, no leaks).
Chain of Custody (CoC) A Chain of Custody (COC) form tracks a wastewater sample from collection
to disposal. To be legally and regulatorily valid, it must include these
essential elements:
- Project & Sampler Info
- Sample Identification
- Collection Details
- Preservatives & Containers
- Analysis Requested
- Custody Transfer Signatures
- Lab Receipt Verification
Initial Demonstration of Competency (IDOC) Standard IDOC components include:
• Analysis of QC sample
• Spike matrix spike sample with adequate recovery
• Multiple analysis of sample with adequate recovery
IDOC "4-Replicate" Test Preparing and analyzing four identical samples of a clean matrix (like distilled
water) spiked with a known concentration of the target pollutant.
Accuracy How close a measurement is to the true value; the average recovery of the
pollutant must hit target percentages (often 80% to 120%)
Precision A measure of how close a series of measurements are to one another; the
consistency between the four runs must be tight, usually measured as a
Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) of 15% or less
Clean Water Act (1972) Authorized EPA to develop regulations for wastewater and discharges to
navigable waters; regulates pollution discharges without NPDES permit
Clean Water Act (CWA) 1972; set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be
discharged into waterways; aims to make surface waters swimmable and
fishable
Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) Authorized EPA to develop regulations for drinking water treatment, operator
certification, laboratory analysis, and maximum contaminant levels.
Establishes drinking water standards for tap water safety, requires rules for
groundwater protection from underground injection
, CWEA Lab Analyst Grade 1 Study Guide 2026
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments Amended in 1986 and 1996.
- 1996 amendments added a fund to pay for water system upgrades, revised
standard: setting requirements, required new standards for common
contaminants, and included public "right to know" requirements to inform
consumers about their tap water.
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System: required permit for discharges
to navigable waters
Primacy Authority taken by states (like California) to enforce federal regulations on
behalf of the federal government; California's State Water Resources Control
Board enforces CWA and SDWA
ELAP Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program: California's accrediting
body for laboratories; operates under State Water Boards' Department of
Drinking Water
ELAP Certification Scope Issues FOA (Fields of Analysis) certificates for specific methods and analytes;
ELAP's approved list is shorter than EPA's list (CFR 136) due to resource
constraints
40 CFR 136 The regulations for sampling preservation and analyses of water, wastewater,
and solid waste.
Describes approved test methods for wastewater analysis, required QA/QC,
allowable method modifications, sample preservation, hold times, and MDL
determination
Method Update Rule (MUR) EPA publishes annually; provides comments on existing approved methods,
useful hints, allowable modifications, and waste-reduction strategies
Analyst Responsibility Must be competent in methods used AND aware of current MUR comments
and allowable modifications
Quality Assurance (QA) Broader systematic monitoring and evaluation to ensure quality standards are
met; includes preventive procedures, maintenance, periodic checks;
documented in quality manual
Quality Control (QC) Demonstration of adherence to QA program through specific QC tests;
verification and maintenance of desired quality level; SOPs and actual QC
data/traceback
Method Blank (MB) A blank that has undergone the entire sample preparation process
• Monitors the sample preparation process for contamination
