AWWA WQTC71561

MWH Laboratories has developed a cost-effective, selective, and sensitive quantitative method which can measure down to low ppt levels using a fully automated on-line enrichment preparation technique followed by an LC-MS-MS analysis for water matrices using novel techniques and tools such as scheduled Multiple Reaction Monitoring (sMRM). Using a sensitive API 5000 LC-MS-MS, the method achieves reporting limits in the ppt range for many of the analytes. This method eliminates the laborious off-line enrichment which is usually needed to achieve the needed sensitivity for these pollutants in water systems. In addition, the required small volume of less than 5 mls and the short runs of 30 minutes injection to injection make this an ideal and fast method for water screening and bench pilot studies. This paper discusses the achievable Minimum Reporting Limit (MRL) using the on-line enrichment technique, and further evaluates the precision and accuracy of analyzing various types of water samples. The target list comprises over 80 compounds of various classes, including EDCs, PPCPs, flame retardant, stimulants, pesticides/herbicides, and their degradates. The method is currently part of a round-robin study of analytical methods for emerging contaminants. Includes 13 references.