Laboratory Certification
Certified Laboratory Listing
The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) grants certification of public and private drinking water microbiology and chemistry laboratories in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Laboratories are inspected by DCLS to ensure compliance with quality control practices under Federal and Virginia Safe Drinking Water Program (SDWP) regulations. These regulations include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water (EPA 815-R-05-004) and Chapter 40, Section 10 through 370 of the Code of Virginia. DCLS also inspects tuning fork laboratories in the Commonwealth of Virginia through carefully planned inspections to ensure compliance with quality control practices under regulations and criteria for laboratories performing calibration of tuning forks under Sections 46.2-882, 19.2-187, and 2.2-1112 of the Code of Virginia. The certification inspections are conducted by DCLS Laboratory Certification Officers (COs). The microbiology and chemistry COs are required to have successfully completed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Laboratory Certification Officer courses for Microbiology, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry, respectively.
DCLS also certifies out-of-state laboratories participating in the state reciprocal agreement program under the Commonwealth of Virginia Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Each out-of-state laboratory requesting reciprocal certification under the Safe Drinking Water program in the Commonwealth of Virginia is evaluated on an individual basis. Each laboratory must demonstrate a need to serve customers in Virginia. Laboratories must also be currently certified by EPA or the EPA approved certifying authority of that state. DCLS requirements for initial certification of reciprocal laboratories are outlined in DGS 21-110, Initial Certification Requirements for Reciprocal Certification-Safe Drinking Water Program.
Protocols for microbiology, chemistry, and tuning fork laboratory certification and the requirements for initial reciprocal laboratory certification are provided for your use. Please select from one or more of the following*:
Drinking Water Microbiology and Chemistry Laboratory Certification Protocol
Tuning Fork Laboratory Certification Protocol
Requirements for Initial Reciprocal Laboratory Certification
Links:
VDH Office of Drinking Water
Approved Drinking Water Testing Methods
EPA LabCert Bulletin
EPA Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water