BQS Contact Information
Staff List
USGS-WRD BQS
DFC, Bldg 95, MS 401
PO Box 25046
Denver, CO 80225
Fax - (303) 236 1880
Directions to the BQS Office in Lakewood,
CO
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Branch of Quality Systems
BQS monitors, assures, and improves the quality of analytical water quality data
through proficiency testing and by documenting variability and bias of analytical results of laboratories.
BQS PROJECTS
Precipitation Chemistry Quality Assurance |
Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance |
 PCQA
Operates the external quality assurance (QA) programs for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP). |
 SLQA
Annually, two single-blind Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance studies are conducted. Participating laboratories are asked to determine suspended sediment concentration, sediment mass, separation of fine- and sand-size material, and particle size distribution using the standard techniques with which they analyze environmental samples. Results are used to assess variability in environmental data and to improve laboratory performance.
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| Laboratory Evaluation |
NWQL Blind Blanks |
 LEP
Analytical laboratories that provide chemical, radiochemical, and biological analyses to the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Discipline (WRD) must be evaluated relative to the objectives of a project requiring analyses and approved for use for that specific project. |
 BBP
The Blind Blank Program (BBP) submits double blind blank samples to the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) to help them determine method detection levels and to monitor analytical performance. Samples are prepared weekly for every possible analytcal line. The same bottles and preservatives are used as the USGS field personnel. Data are collected and analyzed for trends, cycles, and biases. Online charts are posted once a week so analysts and supervisors can assure quality data.
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NWQL Inorganic Blind Samples
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NWQL Organic Blind Samples
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 IBSP
The purpose of the IBSP is to monitor and evaluate the quality of laboratory analytical results through the use of double-blind quality-control (QC) samples. |
 OBSP
The Organic Blind Sample Project assesses the operational performance of organic analytical methods used for determining water-quality parameters for the USGS - National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) by means of blind submissions of Quality Assurance (QA) samples.
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| NWQL Long-term Method Detection Level |
Standard Reference Water Samples |
 LTMDL
BQS submits double-blind samples to the National Water Quality Laboratory at concentrations near their detection levels to assess the laboratory's long-term method detection level (LT-MDL). |
 SRS
Semiannually, BQS conducts an inter-laboratory comparison study of inorganic analytes in water . This program provides a variety of Standard Reference Samples (SRSs) for laboratory quality assurance testing and are available to purchase for internal quality control. The majority of samples are prepared with water from Colorado streams.
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| National Field Quality Assurance |
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 NFQA
The National Field Quality Assurance Program (NFQA) was created in 1979 to provide quality-assurance reference samples to field personnel who make water quality field measurements. The program monitors the proficiency of alkalinity, pH, and specific conductance measurements determined by water quality field analysts.
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 BQS
Continuity of Operations
Occupant Emergency Plan Files
Waste & Satellite Accumulation
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
