Additional Sources of WET Program Information

USEPA WET Test Methods and toxicity information. Test methods designed specifically for measuring WET have been codified at 40 CFR part 136 [60 FR 53529; October 16, 1995]. Three USEPA WET Methods Manuals (2 freshwater, 1 marine) were incorporated by reference into 40 CFR part 136 in the 1995 rule. On November 19, 2002, EPA revised these methods and made available updated method manual editions. As regulations, use of these methods and adherence to the specific test procedures outlined in these documents is required when monitoring WET under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (which is where Wisconsin's WPDES permit program originates from). The State of Wisconsin Aquatic Life Toxicity Testing Methods Manual is intended to comply with the requirements of 40 CFR part 136 and all permittees and laboratories must follow the requirements found in this document in order to submit tests for compliance with a WPDES permit and/or to maintain laboratory certification or registration. The following websites contain information related to USEPA and NELAC WET requirements and toxicity information:

• USEPA WET Methods Manuals and WET Guidance Documents [exit DNR]
• The AQUIRE (AQUatic toxicity Information REtrieval) database [exit DNR] was established as a "clearinghouse" for toxicity data in 1981 by the USEPA, Mid-Continent Ecology Division. Scientific papers published both nationally and internationally on the toxic effects of chemicals to aquatic organisms and plants are collected and reviewed for AQUIRE.
• The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) is a voluntary association of State and Federal agencies with full opportunity for input from the private sector. NELAC's purpose is to establish and promote mutually acceptable performance standards for the operation of environmental laboratories. EPA's National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) provides support to NELAC and, once the standards are adopted by the States and Federal agencies, will oversee the accrediting authority programs. The NELAC Home Page [exit DNR] contains documents and files on the NELAC Constitution and Bylaws, all the current standards, as well as all proposed changes to these documents. Also included are a history of the Conference, minutes of recent meetings, announcements of upcoming conferences and meetings, related information, the NELAC directory, and an open forum for discussion of NELAC issues.

Other States´ and Regions´ WET Web sites

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment´s WET program [exit DNR]
• Maine Department of Environmental Protection´s site [exit DNR]
• Maryland Department of the Environment´s WET Program and WET Testing Laboratory [exit DNR]
• Michigan Department of Environmental Quality´s WET Program [exit DNR]
• North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources´ Aquatic Toxicology Unit [exit DNR]
• South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources´ WET Program [exit DNR]
• State of Washington Department of Ecology´s WET Program [exit DNR]

ET& C´s Annual Review Issue on Whole Effluent Toxicity.

The January 2000 issue [exit DNR] of the Journal of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry was devoted entirely to research articles regarding the science of whole effluent toxicity.

SETAC "Expert Advisory Panel on Performance Evaluation and Interpretation of WET Data"

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) is a professional organization devoted to the study of environmental toxicology. SETAC provides a balanced, objective forum of academic, government, and industry membership and has convened technical forums to assist the scientific community and regulators at the forefront of the development of effluent risk assessment. The first of two SETAC Pellston workshops on WET testing was convened in 1982. Following that workshop, the science of effluent risk assessment moved forward and WET applications were incorporated into the regulatory process for discharge monitoring. A second Pellston workshop on WET in 1995 dealt with specific technical issues arising from implementation of WET testing.

After the 1995 Pellston workshop, the USEPA conducted several meetings to invite interested parties to voice opinions on issues surrounding WET. The USEPA wanted to ensure that the technical basis for the use of WET testing, toxicity identification evaluations (TIEs), and toxicity reduction evaluations (TREs) were founded on sound scientific principles.

To ensure that sound scientific principles are applied to the challenging issues in the WET program, the SETAC Foundation for Environmental Education was awarded a cooperative agreement from the USEPA to provide expert advice related to the technical aspects of WET testing. Under this cooperative agreement, a balanced steering committee and 2 expert advisory panels comprised of experts from academia, government, and industry were formed to provide guidance and address specific WET issues sent in by interested parties (e.g., those who are required to perform WET testing or use the results of WET testing in regulating/monitoring effluent discharges) for consideration by the expert advisory panels.

As is true of all activities conducted by SETAC, the expert advisory panels that have been formed to address the selected issues are comprised of approximately equal numbers of representatives from academia, business, and government. The specific problems considered by these expert advisory panels are such that they could be addressed in this neutral, objective forum.

Under this cooperative agreement the "EAP on Performance Evaluation and Interpretation of WET Data" was formed in 1996. The WDNR´s Biomonitoring Coordinator, Kari Fleming, has participated as a member of this EAP since its creation and serve as its sole state WET state regulator representative. This EAP was set up to provide technical assistance and resolutions to WET performance and data interpretation issues brought to the panel by permittees, public, university, and government staff. This EAP has also created and taught advanced WET courses at regional and national SETAC conferences.

For more information regarding the EAPs, to see a list of the WET FAQs that the panels have received and addressed, and to see WET training opportunitiues being offered by these panels, see the SETAC EAP Web site [exit DNR]

For more information, contact: Kari Fleming