Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of Finance and Management on behalf of the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with Agilent Technologies, Inc. for the purchase of one (1) Agilent 7800 ICP-MS (includes complete installation and training) to be used at the Division of Water Quality Assurance Laboratory (WQAL). The Agilent 7800 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) will be used by the WQAL to test the metals in drinking water and source water to protect public health.
· We currently have one instrument we use to analyze metals. It is 8 years old and we need a back-up instrument due to our increased sample load and reduced turnaround time.
· OAC 3745-89-08 requires complete analysis, including QC, within 30 business days after the lab receives a sample. We have a difficult time meeting 3745-89-08 since our current instrument can only analyze one metal at a time. Historically we batch samples and run some metals only every 90 to 180 days. ICP-MS does multi-element analysis in one pass, greatly increasing efficiency and reducing turnaround time.
· Ohio EPA and the public have put new emphasis on lead in drinking water. Recent Ohio EPA rules have increased our sample load, including: annual Lead/Copper Rule monitoring for suburban contract communities, required testing for partial lead service line replacements (Columbus and contract communities), and weekly manganese samples (currently outsource). USEPA is developing a strontium MCL which may impact how we treat the water down the road. USEPA is also currently finalizing the proposed revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule which will increase our sample load.
· ICP-MS will allow us to handle the increased sample load, as well as run manganese and strontium in-house. Quick turnaround time for the outsourced manganese has been an issue for the Dublin Road Water Plant, delaying their monthly report to Ohio EPA. The ability to ...
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