Discharge Monitoring Report-Quality Assurance Study Program
Major and selected minor permittees under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program are required to participate in the annual Discharge Monitoring Report–Quality Assurance (DMR-QA) study program. DMR-QA evaluates the analytical ability of the laboratories that perform self-monitoring analyses required by their NPDES permit.
If you are required to participate in DMR-QA, you must report results for the analytes listed in your permit provided that those analytes also are included in the DMR-QA study analyte list. Not all of the analytes listed on your NPDES permit may be included in an individual DMR-QA study. You may voluntarily report additional study analytes that are not listed in your permit.
DMR-QA must be submitted through SEEK.
DMR-QA Forms to Complete in SEEK
| Form Name in SEEK | Due Date |
|---|---|
| DMR-QA 46 Verification * | October 13, 2026 |
| DMR-QA 46 Results ** | January 29, 2027 |
| DMR-QA 46 Retest (if applicable) | March 12, 2027 (if applicable) |
* If the permittee uses an accredited laboratory for ALL permitted parameters, the permittee will provide that information in the DMR-QA 46 Verification form.
** If the permittee uses an accredited laboratory for PART of their permitted parameters, then the permittee will provide that information in the DMR-QA 46 Results form. If the permittee is performing laboratory analysis on any permitted parameter, including but not limited to pH or total residual chlorine, then the permittee must perform the DMR-QA Study for those parameters and report those results on the DMR-QA Results form.
Important Dates
| October 13, 2026 | DMR-QA Study 46 begins; Verification Form due to State DMR-QA Coordinator |
| December 4, 2026 | DMR-QA Study 46 ends; send ungraded Data Report to PT Providers |
| January 29, 2027 | DMR-QA 46 Results due to State DMR-QA Coordinator |
| March 12, 2027 | Submit corrective action reports and retest results to State DMR-QA Coordinator, if applicable, using DMR-QA Retest form. |
The purpose of the Discharge Monitoring Report - Quality Assurance (DMR-QA) Study is to ensure the integrity of data submitted by the permittee for DMR reporting requirements and evaluate performance of the laboratories to analyze wastewater samples. 
For all pollutant parameters, especially field test parameters (e.g., pH, residual chlorine), use the same personnel, equipment, test methods, and procedures as required for NPDES compliance monitoring tests. Ensure that your test methods and procedures follow 40 C.F.R. Part 136. 
A list of PT providers is provided in the DMR-QA Study packet.
If any graded test results are “Not Acceptable,†the permittee must determine the cause of that test result and take corrective action to prevent future occurrences. The permittee laboratory must order retesting samples, analyze them, and write a corrective action response. The permittee then submits retest results and a corrective action report to the State DMR-QA Coordinator by the final Permittee milestone date specified in the “Schedule and Checklist†table in the current DMR-QA Study.  
Note: If a retest is required to satisfy the corrective action, the permittee must use a WP study or a quick turnaround PT sample. Data must be reported to the PT Provider by the PT Provider's published closing date or by the final In-House and Contract Laboratories milestone date specified in the “Schedule and Checklist†table in the current DMR-QA Study, whichever is earlier.
If a permittee uses an Arkansas-accredited laboratory for all of the required NPDES testing, the permittee may complete the Verification Form by verifying the permittee information and providing the name of the contract laboratory used for each parameter and submitting the form; this will complete your participation in the current DMR-QA Study.
If the permitted facility performs tests for any analyte that is on the DMR-QA Study list and uses that data on the DMRs, the permittee will need to perform a PT for each of those analytes.
For additional information, see EPA's website on Discharge Monitoring Report Quality Assurance Study Program at https://www.epa.gov/compliance/discharge-monitoring-report-quality-assurance-study-program.