(1) A laboratory must have, at a minimum, the equipment and supplies necessary to perform an approved analytical method for each contaminant analysis for which approval is requested pursuant to ARM 37.12.305.

(2) The equipment and supplies must meet the specifications required by the approved analytical method used and the specifications specified in the EPA laboratory certification manual for that method.

(3) Analytical reagent (AR) grade chemicals or better must be used for analyses.

(4) The laboratory must have a source of distilled or deionized water that meets all the requirements listed in the EPA laboratory certification manual and the requirements of the analytical method being used.

(5) For chemical analyses of drinking water, the laboratory must have a source of reagent water having a specific resistance value of at least 0.5 megohms (less than 2.0 umhos /cm) at 25C. Reagent water for organic analysis must be free of interferences for the analytes being measured.

(6) The department adopts and incorporates by reference the standards contained in the EPA laboratory certification manual (EPA 815 - B - 97 - 001, "Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water", March 1997) for sources of distilled or deionized water. A copy of the manual may be obtained from the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Public Health and Safety Division, Environmental Laboratory, 1400 Broadway, Cogswell Building, P.O. Box 202951, Helena, MT 59620-2951, telephone: (406) 444-3444.