LIMS for Water & Wastewater
The producers of potable water are under increasing demands to meet the needs of an exploding global population. ATL specializes in providing the tools and support water and wastewater labs needs to analyze samples, manage data, and provide custom reporting – all to help meet the world’s thirst for clean drinking water.
We have two data management solutions for your laboratory:
Don’t just take our word for it – our customers share precisely how our data automation solutions have helped them address specific needs particular to the Water & Wastewater sector:
- ATL’s NPDES DMR Reporting Package (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) Discharge Monitoring Report can be automatically generated and electronically signed ready for submission.
- Result Point allows internal or external users to access LIMS data securely 24/7 as well as view sample status and download final analysis report pdfs.
- Barcode Starter Package – free installation, configuration, and training when purchased with the LIMS.
Sample Receiving
Barcoding (1D) labels on demand or preparing barcoded sample labels for pre-login samples which were previously scheduled.
Automatically print labels upon login, a login report, a Chain of custody report and more. Login team members can also receive pre-logged samples, scan the barcoded label and have them automatically be “received into the laboratory”. Users can set up pre-configured projects, such as monthly samplings, assign all required sample sites, tests, methods along with any associated QC and define any special report template that should be
Wet Chemistry
Since not all wet chemistry is fully automated, there is still a need for chemists to document results, which can ideally be documented on a tablet. The small, portable size makes it perfect for the wet chemistry laboratory and all data can be uploaded to the LIMS in real time. ATL’s LIMS products offer features that maximize efficiency with integrated, automated calculations, instrument interfacing (direct connections with balances, spectrophotometers, pH and oxygen meters, Ion Chromatographs for direct data import) and assist with reagent tracking.
Field Sample Collection
Collectors sample various locations throughout their distribution systems from influents, hydrants, raw, and source waters to effluents, discharges, outfalls, streams, rivers as well as customer complaint samples. ATL’s LIMS solutions can import field data from YSI Sondes, collect meta data with our Sample Master or TITAN iMobile product line providing convenience to the field collectors and real-time data to those back in the laboratory. In addition, paper chain of custody forms can be eliminated along with the time required to re-key in data from those field collection forms.
Field Collection with ATL’s iMobile
Users can download the sample collection schedule from the LIMS and plan their work. ATL’s iMobile will automatically pull in the GPS Coordinates of the site of collection, display the tests that need to be performed at the site, along with any QC tests and any special notes. Advantages include the elimination of transcription errors, elimination of paper forms in favor of an electronic chain of custody, all users actions are documented with date and time stamps of when data is entered and increased data availability across the organization. Additional benefits of leveraging iMobile on tablets (iPad/Samsung Galaxy) in the field include access to SOPs, digital maps, email, video conferencing, ability to take and upload images to the laboratory. Click to learn more about iMobile.
Sample Receiving
Wet Chemistry
Field Sample Collection
Inorganic Metals
Instrumentation, such as FTIR, AA’s, GFAA, ICP, and ICP mass Spectrophotometers along with auto samplers have helped to increase the throughput of samples for analysis. Users can generate worklists or bench sheets to better organize their workload. We have a comprehensive library with over 450 different instruments previously interfaced with ATL’s LIMS! ATL solutions support both unidirectional and bi-directional instrument interfaces.
Import Worklists and Export Data from Instruments
- Eliminate transcription errors
- Increase accuracy and throughput
- Accelerate productivity
- Leverage barcoding
ATL LIMS products help the analyst with record keeping of the preparation process before analysis. From simple digestions, hot block, microwave to the more complex leaching followed by digestion preparations, ATL’s LIMS records each step of the process and monitors hold times. Other features that accelerate productivity include: sample preparation tracking, Report on a Dry Weight basis and TCLP and SPLP Leachates.
Organics
Laboratories leverage instrumentation such as gas chromatographs, and gas chromatographs with mass spectroscopy to analyze organics along with FID (flame ion detectors). All can be interfaced with ATL’s LIMS to accelerate turnaround time trace steps required by preparation (i.e. purge and trap) methods and record the exact lot numbers, expiration dates and volumes of reagents used in the preparation. Laboratories can better manage sample concentrations, clean up, and solvent exchanges, and automatically have Prep Factors calculated and ready to be applied to analysis. Worklists can automatically be exported and an import of results from instruments, managing preparation steps and storing notes, provid chemists with the tools to increase their productivity, efficiency and generate high quality data.
Upload Worklists from the LIMS and Download Data from Instruments into the LIMS
- Eliminate transcription errors
- Increase accuracy and throughput
- Accelerate productivity
- Leverage barcoding
ATL has a comprehensive library with over 450 different instruments previously interfaced with our LIMS. ATL solutions include unidirectional and bi-directional instrument interfaces.
Microbiology
Many microbiology tests are subjective and require detailed interpretations, or alphanumeric results (positive, negative, > or <, TNTC, etc.). All are fully supported in ATL’s LIMS. Instrument integration is also popular for laboratories that are leveraging automated microbiology workstations which support barcodes. Additional tests built into ATL’s LIMS include a MPN calculator, Membrane Filtration with the ability to calculate the final result and account for dilutions, Fecal and Total Coliforms, Coilert, Colisure, HPC, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and many more.
Calculations/QA/QC
Calculations are set up, verified and validated, so that users no longer have to perform hand calculations. Automated calculations accelerate workflows, increase throughput and efficiency. Quality Assurance and Quality Control features include automated calculations of mean, standard deviation and control limits. Users can generate various types of charts including control charts, view trends, and compare analysts for workload and data quality.
Standard calculations include, solids, moisture, gravimetric calculations, Langlier Index, MPN (Most Probable Number), BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), and many others. Automated calculations enhance data quality (by eliminating transcription errors) and provide a full history from raw data to final result. There is no need for anyone to perform calculations by hand on a calculator or in Excel. In addition to tacking the history of each sample, there is a complete audit trail – which includes all data related to any modifications of approved results.
Reporting and Result Point
Automated reporting saves time and facilitates communication across the organization. ATL’s Result Point, is a secure web portal, which provides engineers, consultants and others in your organization access to sample status and results 24/7. Result Point also includes a permit editor which can be configured to show which months of the year the permits are active. All data is encrypted for additional security. Users can download Excel files, images, pdfs of final reports, as well as electronic data deliverables (EDDs) for state or federal reporting. Samples that have exceeded limits are highlighted and there is a news editor for communicating news items with you internal customers.
Typical Reports include:
Backlog, Production, Daily Coliform, Trihalomethane, Bromate, Perchlorate, Synthetic Organics, Inorganic, Haloacetic Acid, Total Organic Carbon, Volatile Organics, Disinfection By-Product, Nitrate and Nitrite, Lead and Copper, Iron and Manganese, Inorganic and Metals Analyses, Customer Concern, Point-of-Entry Water Quality, Distribution Water Quality, Bacteriological, DMR (Discharge Monitoring Report), Chain of Custody (COC), Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
Enterprise Integration
ATL’s solutions have been interfaced with a number of different software solutions which include numerous ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics), SCADA systems (Wonderware), iHistorian, Almax’s Operator 10, HACH WIMS, WaterTrax, Linko, Enfotech, and many others. ATL’s LIMS are also able to import data automatically from contract laboratories commercial systems.
For more advanced statistical analysis, we offer integration with NWA Quality Analyst and SAS JMP software packages.
Accounting
We offer out of the box in integration with several popular accounting packages including QuickBooks and Peachtree. Other packages for which customer specific custom interfaces have been created include JD Edwards, Great Plains, Sage, SAP ERP and others. Never re-key accounting information in again, save time, eliminate transcription errors and accelerate productivity.
Sites of Interest: | |
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US EPA | www.epa.gov |
Water EPA | water.epa.gov |
The Nelac Institute | www.nelac-institute.org |
Water.org | www.water.org |
American Water Works Association | www.awwa.org |
National Drinking Water database | www.ewg.org |