The MPCA's Quality System ensures the acquisition of accurate, reliable and defensible environmental data. The system gives us the highest confidence in data used for environmental assessments and decisions to preserve and enhance the quality of Minnesota's environment and the quality of life for all its citizens.
Quality management plans
The Quality Management Plan (QMP) documents the MPCA's strategy for building quality into all its programs. The quality systems include planning, implementing, and assessing the quality assurance and quality control operations as they are applied to the MPCA's environmental data programs. The QMP is reviewed by EPA Region 5 QA Managers to ensure that all elements of the EPA QMP guidance document are adequately addressed. The QMP is to be renewed every five years or sooner if significant changes are made to QMP program elements.
The MPCA's quality system encourages staff to resolve problems in a timely manner. Staff are responsible for planning, executing, documenting and reviewing all work performed to ensure that it conforms to the DQO process. Supervisors assist staff to ensure all facets of the problem are considered and the best options used. The QACs are responsible for writing quality-related policies, which are then incorporated by staff into their Work Plans and QAPPs.
Each MPCA environmental monitoring program's work follows an approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), Work Plan, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which are part of the QMP.
Quality assurance project plans
A QAPP agreement between a regulator, grantee, responsible party, the consultant, the laboratory, and other interested parties concerning what work will be performed, how it will be performed, why the work is being performed, the analytical methods used, and the quality assurance used.
Guidance
Program QAPPs
Underground Storage Tank and Petroleum Remediation Quality Assurance Program Plan (p-eao2-04)- TSCA PCB Quality Assurance Program Plan (p-eao2-08) (Attachments 1-6 are on file at the MPCA)
- 2017 National Lake Assessment Project QAPP (wq-nlap1-16)
Laboratory guidance and references
Lab references
- Laboratory Quality Control and Data Policy (p-eao2-09a)
- Laboratory Data Checklist Guidance (p-eao2-11a)
Laboratory Data Review Checklist (p-eao2-11b)- Methods and Analytes Requiring Laboratory Certification
- Alternate Test Procedure Guidance
Minnesota Department of Health Environmental Laboratory- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Minnesota lab accreditation/certification
- Minnesota Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (MN Dept. of Health) — Accredits commercial, private, and drinking water laboratories
- MPCA laboratory certification — Certifies nonprofit municipal, government, or industrial laboratories submitting data for MPCA programs
- Certified testing laboratories (manure and soil) (MN Dept. of Ag) — Certifies soil and manure laboratories
Project-specific guidance
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State Disposal System (SDS)
Remediation
Petroleum remediation
- 4-01 Soil and Groundwater Assessments Performed during Site Investigations (c-prp4-01)
- 4-01a Vapor Intrusion Assessments Performed during Site Investigations (10/10)
4-01c Intrusion Screening Values (10/10)- 4-04 Soil Sample Collection and Analysis Procedures (c-prp4-04)
- 4-05 Ground Water Sample Collection and Analysis Procedures (c-prp4-05)
- Investigation Requirements for Ethanol-blended Fuel Releases (7/10)
- 7-09a Air Emission Controls (1/11)
- Changes to Petroleum Remediation Program Guidance
Dredged materials management
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
- Guidance for perfluorochemicals analysis (p-eao2-06)
- Guidance for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Analytical (p-eao2-28)
- Guidance for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Sampling (p-eao2-27)
EPA method references
Data quality
- Data Quality Objectives Guidance (p-eao2-14) (3/12)
- Laboratory Data Checklist Guidance (p-eao2-11a)
- Laboratory Data Review Checklist (p-eao2-11b)
Contact
- Data Quality Unit: qa.questions.mpca@state.mn.us