Laboratory Quality Assurance Program

The Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (LQAP) accredits environmental labs to ensure accurate, reliable data for regulatory purposes. LQAP assesses labs against state regulations (47CSR32) to verify compliance with standards for equipment, practices, quality control, and more. This data is used for permit compliance and informs department operations.

To apply, email wvdeplabcert@wv.gov or contact program staff (listed below) to obtain a blank application file. After application and payment, LQAP assesses your lab on-site to verify it meets standards. Following any required corrective actions, accreditation is granted for one year, with renewal upon reapplication.

Following application, LQAP personnel perform an on-site assessment to ensure that requirements are met and that the laboratory's quality system is adequate. Issues are noted and corrective actions are required to address all findings. Once all findings have been addressed, initial accreditation is granted. Certificates are typically valid for one year and are renewed pending re-application and re-assessment.

Additional Resources

• 47CSR32 - Regulations Governing Environmental Laboratories Certification and Standards of Performance

Certified Laboratories

Laboratories are certified for testing in non-potable water (NPW), solid and chemical (SCM), and hazardous waste and testing includes inorganic, organic, microbiological, radiological, and toxicological parameters.

Laboratories fall into three categories:

• Commercial: For-profit testing services
• Industrial: Operated by industry
• Municipal: Publicly owned

Follow this link to access current WVDEP laboratory accreditations.

Please contact program staff if you have any questions.

West Virginia Exemption from U.S. EPA's DMR-QA Study Requirements

In July 2009, the US EPA granted West Virginia an exemption from the national DMR-QA program. The exemption was granted, in large part, because of the WV DEP's Laboratory Quality Assurance Program.

• Exemption Document

Policies

• Quality Control/Quality Assurance Requirements for the Determination of Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) by the DPD Colorimetric Methodology

  This policy outlines the minimum Quality Control/Quality Assurance requirements for the determination of Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) by the DPD Colorimetric methodology as determined by the WV DEP Quality Assurance Office.

Justin D. Carpenter, Environmental Resources Program Manager 1
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water and Waste Management
601 57th Street, SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 414-3765
Email: Justin.D.Carpenter@wv.gov

Tommy W. Smith II, Environmental Resources Specialist 3
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water and Waste Management
601 57th Street, SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 414-3797
Email: Tommy.W.Smith@wv.gov

Kelly R. Mayhew, Environmental Resources Specialist 3
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water and Waste Management
601 57th Street, SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 546-9303
Email: Kelly.R.Mayhew@wv.gov

Carra B. Fleck, Environmental Resources Specialist 2
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water and Waste Management
601 57th Street, SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 414-3798
Email: Carra.B.Fleck@wv.gov​