Tap Score Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Tap Score and the SimpleLab national network of testing laboratories take the analysis and reporting of your water quality very seriously.

Our shared mission is to deliver to you trusted, sophisticated lab testing along with cutting-edge health sciences and engineering support. To ensure the consistency and dependability of our service can be maintained while operating on a swift time frame, we have implemented a number of important quality assurance and control measures across our value chain. These measures address the proper ordering of tests, correct packaging of vials in kits, organized fulfillment of kit orders, appropriate shipping speeds and materials, correct sampling protocol, accuracy of laboratory analysis, and the correct reporting of results.

Specifically regarding the laboratory analyses and reporting of results, the quality control (QC) process is the final step that must occur before results can be verified and released in a final report. The QC process detects, evaluates, and corrects any errors due to instrumentation issues, environmental conditions, or technician performance–all before the results are reported. A major part of the QC process for any lab involves analyzing an array of additional samples beyond just the sample of interest (e.g., a tap water sample).[1] Different labs may have slightly different QC processes, but some of the typical QC samples a lab may run include the following:

Method Blank: A method blank is a sample that is contaminant-free (typically using pure deionized water) and is prepared and analyzed following the same process as the other samples that are being tested. This means that any preservatives or reagents used in sample preparation are added to the method blanks as well. Method blanks are used to determine whether the sample preparation process and any chemicals used therein introduce contaminants to the samples. If the sample results for any method blanks are anything other than non-detect, it could mean that contamination was introduced via the sample preparation process.

Laboratory Duplicate: A laboratory duplicate is created by splitting a sample into two sub-samples and analyzing them separately. The results for laboratory duplicates are compared in order to evaluate the precision of the measurements.

Laboratory Control Sample: A laboratory control sample (LCS) is composed of a contaminant-free matrix (typically pure deionized water, like for method blanks) to which known concentrations of the target analytes have been added prior to sample preparation and analysis. The recoveries of the target analytes in the LCS are used to determine whether the method is working properly and if the lab is capable of making unbiased measurements. Labs set acceptance criteria for the different analytes in the LCS using statistical methods on historical data.

Matrix Spikes: Matrix spikes are similar to LCS’s in that they are samples to which known concentrations of target analytes have been added prior to sample preparation and analysis. The difference between a matrix spike and an LCS is that the analytes are spiked into the actual sample matrix for the matrix spike (e.g., the actual tap water being analyzed), whereas an LCS involves spikes in a contaminant-free medium (e.g., deionized water). Matrix spikes are analyzed to confirm method performance by measuring the effects of interferences caused by the specific sample matrix.

Calibration Blank: A calibration blank is an aliquot of a contaminant-free matrix, such as deionized water, that can be used to calibrate the analytical instrument. The calibration blank is distinct from the method blank because it is not subject to the sample preparation steps used to process actual samples like the method blank. 

Calibration Standards: Calibration standards are made by diluting a standard solution containing known amounts of the target analytes, resulting in a sequence of samples with different, known concentrations of the analytes to be measured. The calibration standards (including the blank) are used solely to calibrate the analytical instrument, they are not used to confirm method performance.

The additional QC samples described above are just a subset of the extensive QC protocols a lab will run in order to verify results. All QC protocols are critical to ensure high quality, accurate data. If any QC checks fail, it may mean that the sample needs to be re-run, re-processed or re-collected. Tap Score (and SimpleLab) always strive to provide you with your results ASAP while maintaining best practices so that you can trust that your results are of the utmost accuracy.

Sources of Variability and Inaccuracy:

Like all water test results (indeed, all lab testing), results are subject to variabilities and inaccuracies that we work to understand, limit, and explain. Here are the most common sources of variability we are aware of in every informational, non-compliance Tap Score Report: