OC Laboratory


Event CoordinatorEvent Vice-Coordinator

Allan Clum
General Manager
Mount Pleasant Water Works

Melodie Clark
Surveillance Lab Manager
Wastewater Chemist III
City of Columbus

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2023 Laboratory Event Description (Updated 3/27/23)

2023 Laboratory Judging Sheets 
The judging sheets are provided primarily for event coordinators and judges information only. They are not part of the procedures or the rules of the event. They are for reference only and do not govern; the event descriptions govern. They are updated periodically and are subject to change at any time, without notice. They may not be used in any form of protest or question. There may be actions that are penalties that are not explicitly listed as an example on the penalty sheet.

*New2023 Questions and Answers 
Please review these questions/answers before submitting questions for 2024

Laboratory Event Tutorial
Tutorials should be used as an overall suggestion not 100% accurate
Bench Sheet and CalculationsMass BalanceTablesMulti Lab
TDS_Bench_Sheet 2024 Practice Lab Exam
*NEW*

Table Layout
*NEW*
Photo is two set ups back to back. New WEFTEC setup will be tables in a row – left to right – at an angle.  Like an arrowhead.

W-142 MultiLab Ordering Form Guide
TSS_Calculation_Sheet 
**Scale Table VideoMultiLab 4010-2W Conductivity Temp jpg
TSS_Preparation_Sheet 


**MultiLab Meter Table VideoW-142 MultiLab Ordering Form Guide



YSI Meter and Probe Ordering Details



Example Invoice for YSI

**These videos are for informational purposes only and may not necessarily be a clean run.

Questions accepted up until  10/4/24.  Questions can be asked at the pre-competition meeting on Monday, October 7, in in New Orleans.

QuestionAnswerDate
During the prep for lab, can you separate or move the filter papers around a little?NO.  If you feel they are not set up properly please bring to judges attention.12/20/23
Last year the question was asked if the pans will be labeled already and the answer was "yes", then when we get to Chicago and the question was asked again and we were told "no" they will not be labeled. So I would like to know if the pans will be labeled already or not?Pans that are in the oven will be labeled.  Pans that the competitors are processing to put in the oven will need to be labeled. 1/10/24
On the TDS portion of the event, is it the competitors responsibility to allow the judge to verify sample volume in the graduated cylinder? Or does the burden of verification fall exclusively to the judge? At a local event my team penalized for moving too fast/in a way that prevented the judge from verifying sample levels.The competitor is responsible for clearly demonstrating the task and ensuring that the judge can clearly see the task being demonstrated.1/16/24
For TSS, once sample is in graduated cylinder how long can they sit on table before being poured thru filter?Once the sample is properly mixed and immediately poured into the graduated cylinder there is no time limit prior to analysis.1/31/24
Is the written test going to change this year and will a practice version be posted? Maybe a more lab related test.Yes, the test will continue to evolve.  This year will focus on lab related information specific to the event.  A practice example will be posted in the near future.1/31/24
Will there be changes to the Event Description this year? Or should we continue to operate using the guidelines set out in the '2023 Laboratory Event Description' PDF? I see there's a change in the Test this year, just wondering if we can expect any other alterations. Thanks!No additional changes to the event description at this time.2/11/24
On the practice exam, Question 12 is asking about the preservation of a TDS sample. The answer is listed as D. No preservative. However, Method 2540 states that TDS samples must be preserved through refrigeration at 4 deg C up to time of analysis. Is refrigeration not considered preservation for the purpose of this exam? Additionally, for Questions 16 and 17, can you provide a reference for where these answers were derived from? I am having trouble finding where the number of samples '8' was taken from. For Question 17, I am also having trouble finding where the '100 mL or greater' volume was taken from. A pH sample is considered a 'grab' and can be analyzed using less than 100 mLs.

Question 12 – Choose the best answer. 

Question 16 & 17 – Questions will only be pulled from the material referenced on the practice exam (3 sources to review)

If it’s not in the sources listed, it won’t be on the test.

2/15/24
Based on the new exam portion of the event will there be any of the pervious math questions that were on the 2023 exam or are we to believe that it will only be questions regarding lab procedures mentioned in the reference material?The test will be based on the reference material provided and focused only on laboratory methods and procedures.  There will be no process control questions.2/19/24
For the lab test, how many questions can we expect during competetion? 26 like the practice test or a something like previous years (10 questions)?20-25 questions (test target time 5-7 minutes)2/27/24
Do we have to label ALL the pans before we start weighing the samples or can we label the pans as we go?Individual pans must be labelled prior to a filter pad being placed in the pan.  There is no requirement to label them all at once.3/6/24
Can the pans that are not in oven be moved during setup time?Yes3/16/24
When completion of the REF STD, where should the pipet used be placed? Should this pipet be placed with the other pipets or in the trash?The pipet used for REF STD dilution is disposable and should be placed in the trash.3/16/24
After the target TDS reference standard is calculated, the standard is analyzed per the TDS procedure (pg13) which only describes analyzing the samples in TDS mode in mg/L. Units for the ref standard on the bench sheet is in us/cm, so I would like clarification on how the standard is read "exactly" using the TDS procedure. I assume that the meter will need to go back to conductivity mode with the procedural steps (rinsing, submerging, timer, etc.) applied?

1 - Do the lids from the sample bottles need to be put back on the corresponding sample bottles or is the assumption that the samples are finished? If
required to return the lids to the correct bottles, can they be labeled for clarity?

2 - Is it a penalty if the vacuum pump is turned on prior to placing filter pads on the filter holder?

  1. Lids need to be on bottles and secured.  They do not need to be returned to specific bottles.
  2. No.  Filter pads must not be torn or damaged during the event.  If the pad is torn or damaged the competitor needs to repeat the step or will be penalized.
3/18/24