Quality Assurance Manual — Minimum Criteria. Space Requirements. Each certified water quality laboratory shall have adequate space, facilities, and equipment to provide test results with accuracy, precision, and safety. Use of Approved Procedures. All certified water quality laboratories shall use analytical procedures approved by the Certification Authority or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Collection and Preservation Procedures. A water quality laboratory shall collect and preserve water samples in accordance with procedures approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the analysis of drinking water samples as incorporated by reference in Regulation .02 of this chapter, and “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” as approved by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Public Health Association, National Technical Information Service, or other approved agency. A water quality laboratory shall identify and describe its sample collection procedures in its Quality Assurance Manual. Water samples collected for the purpose of compliance with these regulations shall be collected by an individual approved by the Department. A water quality laboratory that is certified shall accept only samples that are properly labeled, and for which there is assurance that the samples have been collected, preserved, processed, stored, and transported in such a manner as to assure the identity and the stability of the sample with respect to the requested tests or analyses, or if the stability of the sample has not been assured, the water quality laboratory shall refuse the sample. A supervisor of a certified water quality laboratory shall implement and document sample rejection policies and procedures for each sample that is not suitable for analysis. Reporting of Laboratory Results. A water quality laboratory report of analytical results shall be signed by the water quality laboratory supervisor or the supervisor’s designee. Internal water quality laboratory records shall identify the person actually performing the analyses and the Maryland Laboratory Identification Number. The water quality laboratory shall make internal water quality laboratory records available to the Department. When a water quality laboratory reports compliance results on behalf of a public water system, the water quality laboratory shall comply with the reporting requirements specified in 40 CFR §141.31. Tests to be Performed by Qualified Analysts. The water quality laboratory supervisor shall assure that all tests are performed by qualified analysts. Supervisors Limited to Two Laboratories. A water quality laboratory supervisor may not be responsible for the supervision of more than two certified water quality laboratories. Maintenance of Laboratory Records. Each certified water quality laboratory shall comply with the following requirements: A suitable record of each test result shall be kept for a period of at least 5 years or until the next certification data audit is completed; If the laboratory reports on behalf of a public water system, records for chemistry and radiochemistry shall be held for 10 years (40 CFR §141.33) and records for lead and copper shall be held for 12 years (40 CFR §141.91); All records shall be maintained in a manner that permits ready identification and accessibility; Certified water quality laboratory records and reports shall identify samples sent to other certified water quality laboratories for analyses, and shall identify the certified water quality laboratory performing the test; and Laboratory records shall be available to the Department for inspection. Changes in ownership, mergers, or laboratory closures do not eliminate the requirements in §A(7) of this regulation. The laboratory shall implement the provisions of the Quality Assurance Manual.