This article explains how a ClearStream wastewater test works, which party is responsible for each stage, and what Suppliers, ZDHC Approved wastewater laboratories and samplers need to do.
01/ Overview
A ClearStream test follows 7 steps in the ZDHC Gateway.
The supplier starts the test and completes the wastewater profile. The supplier then selects a ZDHC Approved Wastewater Laboratory and completes the payment. The laboratory coordinates the sampling and testing process and submits the results. The supplier reviews the results before the ClearStream Report and certificate are generated.
The process involves four parties:
| Party | Main responsibility |
|---|---|
| Supplier | Starts the test, selects the laboratory, pays the ClearStream fee, reviews the results and follows up with RCA/CAP where needed. |
| ZDHC Approved Wastewater Laboratory | Accepts testing requests, manages sampling information, performs testing, and submits results. |
| Sampler | Collects the samples at the facility and records the sampling information in the ZDHC On-site App. |
| ZDHC Gateway | Determines the applicable testing parameters, manages the workflow and generates the ClearStream Report and certificate. |
Note: The sampler may work for the laboratory or be a contracted third party.
02/ Before you start
Before starting a ClearStream test:
- The supplier must have access to ClearStream in the ZDHC Gateway.
- Only one ClearStream test can be active at a time for a facility.
- The supplier should already have agreed on the testing arrangements with a ZDHC Approved Wastewater Laboratory outside the ZDHC Gateway.
- The laboratory must have access to ClearStream in the ZDHC Gateway.
The ZDHC Gateway is used to manage the testing process. It is not a tool for finding or arranging a laboratory.
03/ ClearStream process
The process follows 7 steps in the ZDHC Gateway.
| Step | What happens | Who takes action? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Start the test | A new ClearStream test is created. | Supplier |
| 2. Complete the wastewater profile | The Supplier enters information about the facility and wastewater discharge. The ZDHC Gateway uses this information to determine whether testing is required and which parameters apply. | Supplier / ZDHC Gateway |
| 3. Select the laboratory | The Supplier selects the agreed ZDHC Approved Wastewater Laboratory. The laboratory receives the request and accepts or declines it. | Supplier / Laboratory |
| 4. Complete payment | The Supplier pays the applicable ClearStream reporting fee. If a valid subscription already covers the test, this step is skipped. | Supplier |
| 5. Sampling and testing | Samples are collected and recorded in the ZDHC On-site App. The laboratory performs the analysis and submits the results in the ZDHC Gateway. | Sampler / Laboratory |
| 6. Review the results | The Supplier reviews the submitted results and either accepts them or sends them back to the laboratory for correction. | Supplier |
| 7. Access the report | Once the results are accepted, the ZDHC Gateway generates the ClearStream Report and certificate. The Supplier can also document RCA/CAP actions where needed. | ZDHC Gateway / Supplier |
Step 1–2: Start the test and complete the wastewater profile
The supplier starts a new test in ClearStream and completes the wastewater profile.
The profile includes information such as:
- industry and facility type;
- wastewater discharge volume and type; and
- sludge information.
Based on this information, the ZDHC Gateway determines whether testing is required and which parameters to test.
If testing is not required, the process ends at this stage.
Step 1: Getting Started with ClearStream (Suppliers)
Step 2: How can I determine my ClearStream test type? (Suppliers)
Step 3: Select the laboratory
The Supplier selects the ZDHC Approved Wastewater Laboratory with which the testing has already been agreed.
The request appears in the laboratory's My Projects view.
The laboratory must accept or decline the request within 14 days.
If the laboratory declines the request or fails to respond within 14 days, the Supplier may select another laboratory.
Step 3:
- How can I select a ZDHC Approved Wastewater Laboratory? (Suppliers)
- How to accept or decline a testing request (Wastewater Laboratories)
Step 4: Complete payment
The Supplier pays the applicable ClearStream reporting fee.
Payment can be completed by credit card or bank transfer. If the Supplier already has a valid subscription covering the test, the ZDHC Gateway skips this step.
Step 4:
Note: Your laboratory can no longer pay your ClearStream fee directly on your behalf. If you can't pay the fee yourself, you need to ask your laboratory for a voucher code. You can read further in this article.
Step 5: Sampling and testing
The sampler visits the facility and collects the required samples.
The sampling information is recorded in the ZDHC On-site App, which generates an OA project number.
The laboratory then:
- adds the sampling information to the ZDHC Gateway;
- reviews the required testing parameters;
- confirms that testing has started;
- analyses the samples;
- enters the test method and detected value for each required parameter; and
- submits the results.
Once the results are submitted, they are locked for review.
Step 5:
- ClearStream Workflow: Conduct Wastewater Testing (Suppliers)
- How to enter sampling information (Wastewater Laboratories)
- Reviewing the testing parameters (Wastewater Laboratories)
Step 6: Review the results
The supplier reviews the laboratory's submitted results.
The supplier can:
- Accept the results; or
- Send the results back to the laboratory and provide a reason.
If the results are sent back, the laboratory can correct the test method or the detected value and resubmit them.
If the supplier takes no action within 2 weeks, the results are automatically accepted by the ZDHC Gateway.
Step 6:
- How to submit test results (Wastewater Laboratories)
- How can I review my ClearStream test results? (Suppliers)
Step 7: Access the report and follow up
Once the results have been accepted, the ZDHC Gateway generates:
- The ClearStream Report; and
- The certificate of completion.
The supplier can download both documents from the ZDHC Gateway.
Where needed, the supplier can also document a Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action Plan (RCA/CAP) for individual parameters.
Step 7:
- Access and download your ClearStream Report (Suppliers)
- Getting started with Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective Action Plan (CAP) (Suppliers)
04/ Tips & Notes
Notes:
- Check the wastewater profile carefully before selecting the laboratory. The profile determines which parameters must be tested.
- Once the laboratory accepts the testing request, the test is binding and cannot normally be cancelled.
- Results are automatically accepted if the Supplier takes no action within 2 weeks. Automatic acceptance cannot be undone.
- If the laboratory identifies an error after submitting the results, the Supplier can send the results back so that the laboratory can make the correction.
- Sampling information cannot be edited by the laboratory after confirmation. Contact ZDHC Customer Support if a correction is required.
- ClearStream shows whether each parameter meets the requirements.
- An RCA/CAP can be added for any parameter that requires follow-up action.