LIMS Solution for Water and Wastewater

Ensure accurate, timely test results that are essential to maintaining environmental standards for water and wastewater treatment, and is the foundation for meeting performance standards required by the EPA and other regulatory agencies wth the Thermo Scientific™ LIMS Solution for Water and Wastewater.

Because secure reporting is required for regulatory compliance and documentation, a Thermo Scientific™ LIMS can generate data for public health and environmental management decision making.

Some of the core functions of a water and wastewater LIMS application include:

• Scheduling of sample collection from predefined or ad-hoc locations
• Data capture of lab testing results either manually or automatically from instruments
• Data analysis, structuring and assurance that samples are within concentration limits (e.g., adjusting for significant digits, limit checking and logging)
• Capabilities to handle non-conformities (e.g., extend scheduling and reporting)
• Data reporting in user or regulatory defined formats
• Lab management functionality (e.g., sample/bottle tracking and workload assignments)
• System management functionality (e.g., data audit trails and archiving)

A LIMS can help to:

• Reduce operating costs and operational efficiencies
• Improve reporting capabilities through Business Objects
• Access information from a variety of sources and provide a clear picture of the status of a user's samples such as: water cycle, water resources, drinking water, sewage treatment, trade effluent, environment agency data, analytical quality control (AQC), sample data and sampling program
• Allow better utilization of staff, reduced transcription errors and improved turnaround time
• Allow for rapid extraction of large datasets, for statistical or other analysis
• Avoid mix-ups with samples and/or results
• Respond to problems in an efficient and timely manner

SampleManager LIMS provides:

Improved Turnaround Time and Work in Progress

One of the most critical parameters in many water and wastewater labs is turnaround time since samples are time-sensitive, and the accuracy of the result can be impacted if holding times are exceeded. By automating data entry tasks and utilizing pre-defined templates for sample analysis and entry, routine sample lists can be created and in seconds. In addition, the creation of annual sampling plans to meet complex regulatory rules can be set up using SampleManager LIMS . SampleManager helps labs manage this process by keeping check on the samples taken against the plan, and allowing samples to be rescheduled within a certain time window to ensure they remain compliant with regulations. Non-conformities can be easily handled within the context of the sampling plan, feeding back information that must be taken into account when discrepancies occur. Many labs include sample turnaround statistics in their month-end reports. A suitable LIMS allows managers to generate these reports simply and quickly, and to view trends over longer periods. Furthermore, the LIMS can allow several filtering and grouping options, so that managers can identify problems within particular areas, such as sample preparation, or with certain analytical instruments and methods that may not be performing optimally. This type of information is invaluable and allows managers to make informed decisions to improve the efficiency of resource allocation

Laboratory Accreditation

For most labs that analyze water and wastewater samples, accreditation is mandatory for regulatory agencies, however tougher standards are making it increasingly difficult to meet accreditation or certification guidelines. SampleManager LIMS is designed to conform to state or national accreditation standards such as ISO 17025, and allows lab managers and QA officers to concentrate on other areas, knowing that the data management requirements such as audit trails, electronic signatures and data integrity are fully met within the LIMS.

Data Analysis and Quality Control

With a set of built-in QC/QA tools, managers can extract datasets from amongst millions of records, and analyze those datasets with unparalleled speed. Analysts can review quality control charts before submitting results for approval, QA officers and managers can examine long-term trends and finally, it provides auditors with documentary evidence that the laboratory is in control.

Real-Time Data Access

By providing water and wastewater facilities with up-to-the minute analytical data, SampleManager LIMS allows these facilities to flag and adjust sampling plans in a timely manner, and to respond to non-conformities with the minimum of delay. Whether it is the nitrate levels in reservoirs, PCBs in wastewater, or fluoride in drinking water, operations need this vital information as soon as possible.