The Environmental Laboratory
is located at Broomfield's Water Treatment Facility at 4395 W. 144th Ave. (north west of the
intersection of 144th Ave. and Lowell Blvd). The Lab's mission is to
assess, protect and
improve water quality in our community.
Broomfield maintains an independent water quality laboratory to serve the community. Our laboratory meets stringent Quality Assurance requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and is Certified to analyze drinking water for contaminants that may pose a health risk. The Environmental Laboratory staff currently consists of 5 full-time and 1 part-time employee whose duties range from collecting samples, to chemical and microbiological analyses, to program management. The goals of the program are to:
The Environmental Laboratory provides analytical and regulatory services to various customers, including Broomfield water consumers, the Drinking Water Treatment Facility, Wastewater Reclamation Facility, Industrial Pretreatment Program, the Engineering Inspection and Utilities Divisions, state and federal regulators, and stakeholders within the watershed. Environmental Laboratory services are independent of other City Divisions so that operational and regulatory functions may be carried out in an unbiased manner.
The Environmental Laboratory and
Wastewater Laboratory work together to make the best use of resources
and avoid unnecessary duplication of instrumentation or services. The
Environmental Laboratory follows approved analytical methods and adheres
to a Quality Assurance program designed to ensure that the data produced
are accurate, reliable and defensible. The Laboratory is Certified by
the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to perform
Chemistry, Microbiology, and Radiochemistry to assess compliance with
the federal Safe Drinking Water Act .
Both manual and instrumental analysis In addition to analytical services, Environmental Laboratory personnel research and track the development of new regulations so that the City is prepared to meet upcoming requirements. Lab personnel participate in the regulatory process by evaluating the impact of changes to the water and wastewater regulations, preparing input, formal comments and testimony for the rulemaking process, and participating in State implementation of recently promulgated regulations. Environmental Lab personnel also participate in various stakeholder groups, such as the Big Dry Creek Watershed Association and the Rocky Flats Integrated Monitoring Plan work group, and interface with other agencies as needed.
Related Links: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-Water Quality Control Division Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-Water Quality Control Commission Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-Water Quality Regulations Rocky Mountain Water Quality Analyst's Association American Water Works Association Rocky Mountain
Section-American Water Works Association |
This mission is achieved by developing and maintaining a water quality laboratory program
to ensure that all standards for the protection of public health and the
environment are met. The lab staff promptly responds to consumer
concerns and provides timely follow-up. The staff works diligently
to ensure that the city and county water resources are appropriately used and
protected.
methods are used, and
instrumentation consists of an Autoanalyzer, Atomic Absorption
Spectrometer, Gas Proportional Counter, and a Gas Chromatograph/Mass
Spectrometer. Sampling locations include Broomfield’s raw water
supplies, water treatment processes, drinking water, wastewater,
residential tap water, and surface water leaving the Rocky Flats
Environmental Technology Site. The laboratory also gathers water-quality
information for various wells, streams, ditches, and ponds, and responds
to residents with water-quality concerns.