Table 5.  Results of Wilcoxon signed-rank test for bias in constituent data for the Quality of Water Service Unit Laboratory

[Most probable value, Median bias, and Nearest reporting unit reported in same units as Minimum Reporting Limit; WWR, whole-water recoverable; TITR, electrometric titration; mg/L, milligrams per liter; POS, positive bias; --, acceptable results; DIS, dissolved; ICP-AES/T, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry,trace; mg/L, micrograms per liter; GF-AAS, graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrophotometry; USEPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; ICP-AES, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry; NEG, negative bias; IC, ion chromatography; GRAV, gravimetric; ISE, ion-selective electrode; CV-AAS, cold vapor-atomic absorption spectrophotometry; F-AAS, flame-atomic absorption spectrophotometry]

 

Constituent and

method of analysis

Most probable value

Number of determinations

Median bias

Nearest reporting unit

p-value

Bias

 

INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS

 

 

Alkalinity (WWR, TITR) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

55.7

11

1.3

1

0.00098

POS

 

76.0

6

3.0

1

0.03125

POS

 

88.5

12

-0.5

1

0.17529

--

 

94.2

12

0.9

1

0.02246

--

 

107.5

12

1.6

1

0.00049

POS

 

129.7

12

2.3

1

0.02588

POS

Aluminum (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 3 mg/L

 

 

 

28.5

8

-0.5

1

0.74219

--

 

44.9

8

0.7

1

0.08594

--

 

45.0

8

6.0

1

0.00781

POS

Aluminum (WWR, GF-AAS, USEPA) Minimum Reporting Limit 2 mg/L

 

 

28

4

2

10

0.12500

--

 

45

4

5

10

0.25000

--

 

45

3

5

10

0.25000

--

Aluminum (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 3 mg/L

 

 

 

28.5

8

5.0

1

0.03906

POS

 

44.9

8

2.2

1

0.00781

POS

 

45.0

8

15.0

1

0.00781

POS

Arsenic (DIS, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

1.84

5

-0.54

0.1

0.12500

--

 

7.72

3

0.29

0.1

0.25000

--

 

12.5

4

0.0

1

0.87500

--

Arsenic (WWR, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

7.60

4

-0.10

0.1

1.00000

--

 

11.4

4

-1.3

1

0.37500

--

Barium (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.2 mg/L

 

 

 

54.5

4

-0.5

1

0.62500

--

 

73.5

4

0.1

1

0.87500

--

Barium (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.2 mg/L

 

 

 

54.5

4

-1.5

1

0.12500

--

 

70.7

4

-1.7

1

0.25000

--

 

73.5

4

-2.0

1

0.12500

--

Beryllium (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.5 mg/L

 

 

 

6.85

4

-0.05

0.1

0.50000

--

 

7.65

4

-0.05

0.1

0.12500

--

Beryllium (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.5 mg/L

 

 

 

6.85

4

-0.30

0.1

0.12500

--

 

7.65

4

-0.25

0.1

0.12500

--

 

8.64

4

-0.19

0.1

0.12500

--

Boron (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 3 mg/L

 

 

 

25.3

4

-0.3

1

1.00000

--

 

25.8

4

-0.8

1

0.25000

--

Cadmium (DIS, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

6.98

4

0.08

0.1

0.62500

--

 

8.42

3

0.19

0.1

0.25000

--

 

14.2

4

-0.2

1

1.00000

--

Cadmium (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.5 mg/L

 

 

 

7.15

4

-0.05

0.1

0.50000

--

 

13.0

4

0.1

1

1.00000

--

Cadmium (WWR, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

3.40

3

0.10

0.1

0.75000

--

 

9.55

4

-0.50

0.1

0.12500

--

 

14.3

4

-0.8

1

0.37500

--

Cadmium (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.5 mg/L

 

 

 

6.98

4

-0.38

0.1

0.12500

--

 

8.42

3

-0.22

0.1

1.00000

--

 

14.2

4

-1.2

1

0.12500

--

Calcium (DIS, ICP-AES) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.02 mg/L

 

 

 

9.53

8

-0.08

0.1

0.35156

--

 

25.1

11

-1.1

1

0.00098

NEG

 

31.4

7

-0.4

1

0.85938

--

 

38.1

12

-1.1

1

0.00049

NEG

 

44.2

8

0.8

1

0.25000

--

 

45.9

8

0.1

1

0.13281

--

 

52.2

12

-1.2

1

0.00391

NEG

 

53.3

12

-0.3

1

0.01123

--

 

58.1

12

-1.1

1

0.00049

NEG

Calcium (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.02 mg/L

 

 

40.5

8

0.5

1

0.06250

--

 

41.2

8

0.9

1

0.09375

--

 

42.2

8

0.8

1

0.01563

--

 

44.2

4

-0.2

1

1.00000

--

 

45.9

4

0.1

1

0.12500

--

Chloride (DIS, IC) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.1 mg/L

 

 

 

8.35

8

0.05

0.1

0.00781

--

 

29.6

7

0.4

1

0.01563

--

 

31.5

11

0.5

1

0.00098

--

 

45.4

12

-0.4

1

0.12500

--

 

46.0

7

1.0

1

0.03125

--

 

62.7

12

2.3

1

0.00049

POS

 

69.0

8

0.5

1

0.25000

--

 

78.5

12

1.5

1

0.00293

POS

 

85.3

12

1.8

1

0.00488

POS

Chromium (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

13.6

4

-0.6

1

0.12500

--

 

28.2

4

-0.7

1

0.12500

--

Chromium (WWR, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

9.70

3

0.30

0.1

0.75000

--

 

18.5

4

-0.5

1

0.50000

--

 

27.8

4

-0.8

1

0.62500

--

Chromium (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

9.70

4

-0.20

0.1

0.25000

--

 

27.8

4

-1.8

1

0.12500

--

Cobalt (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

3.55

4

0.05

0.1

0.75000

--

 

8.70

4

-0.05

0.1

0.75000

--

Copper (DIS, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

4.68

4

-0.13

0.1

0.50000

--

 

12.0

3

0.0

1

1.00000

--

 

16.7

4

0.4

1

0.12500

--

Copper (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

7.45

4

0.90

0.1

0.12500

--

 

12.1

4

0.4

1

0.62500

--

Copper (WWR, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

11.2

4

0.9

1

0.25000

--

 

16.7

4

-0.2

1

0.62500

--

Copper (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

7.45

4

-0.20

0.1

0.62500

--

 

12.1

4

-1.1

1

0.12500

--

 

19.5

4

0.5

1

0.75000

--

Dissolved Solids (DIS, GRAV) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

208.8

11

5.3

1

0.00977

POS

 

284.0

6

7.0

1

0.03125

POS

 

359.5

12

7.5

1

0.01123

POS

 

376.0

12

12.0

1

0.00391

POS

 

469.0

12

7.0

1

0.06055

--

 

518.5

12

10.5

1

0.00049

POS

Fluoride (DIS, ISE) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.1 mg/L

 

 

 

0.180

4

0.015

0.01

0.25000

--

 

0.520

7

0.010

0.01

0.56250

--

 

0.546

12

0.004

0.01

0.71924

--

 

0.673

11

0.017

0.01

0.00781

POS

 

0.780

4

0.000

0.01

1.00000

--

 

0.800

12

0.000

0.01

0.50000

--

 

0.880

12

0.020

0.01

0.00098

POS

 

0.920

12

-0.010

0.01

0.17188

--

Iron (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

 

35.5

4

4.5

1

0.25000

--

 

39.3

4

0.8

1

0.12500

--

 

54.3

8

-3.8

1

0.72656

--

 

55.1

8

-5.1

1

0.00781

NEG

 

146.5

4

-4.5

1

0.37500

--

 

161.5

8

-1.5

1

0.00781

NEG

 

166.5

4

-6.5

1

0.12500

--

Iron (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

35.5

7

4.5

1

0.01563

POS

 

54.3

8

2.3

1

0.03125

POS

 

55.1

8

-0.6

1

0.42188

--

 

111.0

6

-1.0

1

0.40625

--

 

161.5

8

-1.5

1

0.00781

NEG

 

166.5

8

-6.5

1

0.19531

--

Lead (DIS, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

3.2

4

-0.2

1

0.12500

--

 

62.6

4

1.5

1

0.62500

--

Lead (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

 

5.39

4

-0.29

0.1

0.12500

--

 

44.9

4

0.2

1

0.75000

--

Lead (WWR, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

3.2

3

-0.2

1

0.25000

--

 

41.7

4

-1.2

1

0.25000

--

 

62.6

4

-7.1

1

0.37500

--

Lead (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

5.84

4

-0.24

0.1

0.62500

--

 

8.59

3

-0.49

0.1

0.75000

--

 

48.1

4

-2.6

1

0.12500

--

Magnesium (DIS, ICP-AES) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.01 mg/L

 

 

2.53

8

0.08

0.1

0.03125

--

 

7.43

11

-0.23

0.1

0.00098

NEG

 

7.65

7

-0.05

0.1

0.18750

--

 

9.50

12

-0.20

0.1

0.00098

NEG

 

10.1

8

-0.1

1

0.00781

--

 

10.3

8

-0.3

1

0.23438

--

 

12.5

12

-0.5

1

0.00049

--

 

13.9

12

0.1

1

0.84277

--

 

14.2

12

-0.2

1

0.00049

--

Magnesium (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.001 mg/L

 

 

9.34

8

-0.14

0.1

0.03906

NEG

 

9.54

8

0.01

0.1

0.50781

--

 

10.1

4

-0.1

1

0.12500

--

 

10.1

8

-0.1

1

0.00781

--

 

10.3

4

-0.3

1

0.12500

--

Manganese (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.2 mg/L

 

 

 

11.7

8

0.4

1

0.00781

--

 

13.7

4

0.4

1

0.12500

--

 

19.6

8

0.5

1

0.00781

--

 

49.0

4

0.0

1

 

--

 

50.2

4

-1.2

1

0.12500

--

 

58.1

4

-0.1

1

0.62500

--

 

74.1

8

-1.1

1

0.02344

NEG

Manganese (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.2 mg/L

 

 

9.10

4

0.10

0.1

0.50000

--

 

11.7

8

-0.7

1

0.29688

--

 

13.7

4

-0.2

1

0.62500

--

 

19.6

8

-0.1

1

0.28125

--

 

49.0

3

-1.0

1

1.00000

--

 

74.1

8

-4.1

1

0.00781

NEG

Mercury (WWR, CV-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.1 mg/L

 

 

 

0.26

4

-0.01

0.1

0.50000

--

 

0.76

8

0.09

0.1

0.06250

--

 

3.32

7

0.29

0.1

0.01563

POS

Molybdenum (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 2 mg/L

 

 

 

11.9

4

0.1

1

0.62500

--

 

22.5

4

1.0

1

0.12500

--

Nickel (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

14.1

4

0.5

1

0.50000

--

 

43.0

4

0.0

1

1.00000

--

Nickel (WWR, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

7.50

3

0.20

0.1

0.75000

--

 

35.5

4

-1.5

1

0.50000

--

 

53.3

4

-3.8

1

0.12500

--

Nickel (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

14.1

4

-0.1

1

0.62500

--

 

43.0

4

-1.0

1

0.12500

--

 

56.0

4

-1.5

1

0.37500

--

Potassium (DIS, F-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.1 mg/L

 

 

0.30

8

0.00

0.1

0.00781

--

 

1.85

8

-0.05

0.1

0.23438

--

 

1.96

8

-0.06

0.1

0.00781

--

 

2.01

11

-0.01

0.1

0.68164

--

 

2.49

12

0.01

0.1

0.59912

--

 

3.27

7

0.04

0.1

0.48438

--

 

4.18

12

0.03

0.1

0.11084

--

 

4.47

12

-0.07

0.1

0.01904

--

 

5.50

12

-0.10

0.1

0.02002

--

Selenium (DIS, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

2.18

4

-0.98

0.1

0.12500

--

 

7.47

3

-0.57

0.1

0.25000

--

 

9.87

4

-0.42

0.1

1.00000

--

Selenium (WWR, GF-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

4.82

4

0.79

0.1

0.12500

--

 

7.22

4

0.23

0.1

0.37500

--

Silica (DIS, ICP-AES) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.01 mg/L

 

 

 

6.35

12

-0.05

0.1

0.91162

--

 

6.50

7

-0.10

0.1

0.06250

--

 

8.54

11

-0.04

0.1

0.81055

--

 

9.17

12

-0.12

0.1

0.01123

NEG

 

11.0

12

0.0

1

0.00049

--

 

11.1

12

-0.1

1

0.00049

--

Silica (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.01 mg/L

 

 

 

7.55

8

0.25

0.1

0.00781

POS

 

8.14

4

0.17

0.1

0.12500

--

 

10.3

8

0.2

1

0.28125

--

 

15.2

4

-0.2

1

1.00000

--

 

17.4

8

-0.4

1

0.64844

--

Silver (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

1.28

4

0.27

0.1

0.12500

--

 

10.1

4

-0.6

1

0.12500

--

Sodium (DIS, F-AAS) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.1 mg/L

 

 

 

5.50

8

0.15

0.1

0.37500

--

 

28.0

8

0.0

1

0.62500

--

 

33.5

11

-0.5

1

0.66309

--

 

49.9

12

0.1

1

0.09180

--

 

54.0

7

0.0

1

0.75000

--

 

56.4

8

0.1

1

0.78906

--

 

69.8

12

-0.8

1

0.09766

--

 

84.4

12

0.7

1

0.55078

--

 

96.2

12

-0.2

1

0.06055

--

Strontium (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.5 mg/L

 

 

 

115

4

0

10

1.00000

--

 

330

4

1

10

0.12500

--

 

268

4

2

10

1.00000

--

 

316

4

-1

10

0.50000

--

Strontium (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.5 mg/L

 

 

 

268

4

-8

10

0.12500

--

 

280

4

-10

10

0.12500

--

 

316

4

-6

10

0.12500

--

Sulfate (DIS, IC) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.2 mg/L

 

 

 

7.00

8

-0.20

0.1

0.01563

NEG

 

58.5

11

0.5

1

0.06543

--

 

75.0

7

1.0

1

0.01563

--

 

89.0

19

1.0

1

0.00046

--

 

113

8

-3

10

0.64844

--

 

114

24

6

10

0.00279

--

 

132

12

-2

10

0.67041

--

Vanadium (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

9.5

4

-0.5

1

0.12500

--

 

22.0

4

-0.5

1

0.50000

--

Zinc (DIS, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

 

30.3

4

-0.8

1

0.37500

--

 

34.8

4

2.3

1

0.12500

--

Zinc (WWR, ICP-AES/T) Minimum Reporting Limit 1 mg/L

 

 

 

10.0

4

1.5

1

0.12500

--

 

15.0

4

1.5

1

0.62500

--

 

17.5

4

3.0

1

0.12500

--

 

24.8

3

-0.8

1

1.00000

--

 

30.3

4

-0.3

1

1.00000

--

 

34.8

3

1.3

1

0.25000

--

 

NUTRIENT CONSTITUENTS

Ammonia as nitrogen (DIS) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.01 mg/L

 

 

0.210

6

0.010

0.01

0.06250

--

 

0.240

5

0.010

0.01

0.12500

--

 

0.498

4

0.052

0.01

0.12500

--

 

0.620

4

0.060

0.01

0.12500

--

 

1.24

20

0.06

0.1

0.00340

--

Ammonia plus organic nitrogen as nitrogen (DIS) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.2 mg/L

 

0.285

6

-0.085

0.01

0.03125

NEG

 

0.300

5

-0.040

0.01

0.43750

--

 

0.750

4

0.045

0.01

0.12500

--

 

0.864

22

-0.014

0.01

0.45803

--

 

0.910

4

-0.085

0.01

0.12500

--

Ammonia plus organic nitrogen as nitrogen (WWR) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.2 mg/L

 

0.285

14

-0.075

0.01

0.00061

NEG

 

0.300

13

0.000

0.01

0.27148

--

 

0.750

17

0.010

0.01

0.66849

--

 

0.910

20

-0.070

0.01

0.00373

NEG

Nitrate plus nitrite as nitrogen (DIS) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.02 mg/L

 

0.220

6

0.000

0.01

1.00000

--

 

0.443

5

0.017

0.01

0.06250

--

 

0.747

4

-0.052

0.01

0.12500

--

 

1.01

4

-0.05

0.1

0.12500

--

 

1.04

20

-0.04

0.1

0.58840

--

Orthophosphate as phosphorus (DIS) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.01 mg/L

 

0.195

6

-0.005

0.01

0.15625

--

 

0.580

5

0.030

0.01

0.12500

--

 

0.658

4

-0.013

0.01

0.62500

--

 

0.758

4

-0.008

0.01

0.62500

--

 

1.01

20

-0.01

0.1

0.00968

--

Phosphorus as phosphorus (DIS) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.02 mg/L

 

0.201

6

-0.021

0.01

0.03125

NEG

 

0.602

5

-0.022

0.01

0.37500

--

 

0.715

4

-0.010

0.01

0.87500

--

 

0.766

4

-0.006

0.01

0.12500

--

 

1.01

22

-0.01

0.1

0.00003

--

Phosphorus as phosphorus (WWR) Minimum Reporting Limit 0.02 mg/L

 

0.201

14

-0.021

0.01

0.00012

NEG

 

0.602

13

-0.002

0.01

0.49341

--

 

0.715

17

-0.005

0.01

0.61668

--

 

0.766

20

0.004

0.01

0.51160

--