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 Laboratory Quality Assurance Program

The Quality Assurance Program is responsible for certifying environmental laboratories to ensure that the DEP receives accurate and reliable analytical data.

Laboratories are certified when they follow approved methods, employ well-trained capable staff, and use equipment and instrumentation suited to the work they perform.

West Virginia's laboratory certification is the first such state program within U.S. EPA Region III. This program operates under 47CSR32 - Regulations Governing Environmental Laboratories Certification and Standards of Performance.

Quality Assurance personnel provide laboratory certification services to all divisions of DEP and is open to any U.S. laboratory seeking to provide data to the DEP. In states with reciprocity agreements with West Virginia, laboratories can be granted certification without an on-site inspection by a West Virginia certification officer.

The certification process begins when a laboratory submits application on proper forms provided by the Quality Assurance Program:

• Instructions for Completing an Application to Become a Certified Laboratory

• Application for Laboratory Certification by Inspection for the DEP

Certified Laboratories

Certified laboratories are grouped into three categories:

• Commercial - Stand-alone laboratories testing samples for a fee.
• Commercial Labs Official List
• Industrial - Manufacturing company owned and operated laboratories.
• Industrial Labs Official List
• Municipal - Laboratories associated with publicly owned treatment works operated by cities or public service districts.
• Municipal Labs Official List

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

With the passage of 47CSR32 the last legislative session, the U.S. EPA will allow West Virginia to be exempt from DMR QA studies. This exemption was granted because of the state's Laboratory Certification Program.

• Exemption Document

• 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.

• Remote Assessment Policy Due to COVID-19
  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) office-based staff continue to work remotely. Additionally, travel restrictions for state employees remain in effect. As a result, the WVDEP Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (LQAP) is continuing to cancel laboratory on-site assessments until further notice.

Staff

Justin D. Carpenter, Environmental Resources Program Manager 1
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water and Waste Management
601 57th St. SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0499 x43765
Email: Justin.D.Carptenter@wv.gov

Tommy W. Smith II, Environmental Resources Specialist 3
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water and Waste Management
601 57th St. SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0499 x43797
Email: Tommy.W.Smith@wv.gov

Kelly R. Kinder, Environmental Resources Specialist 3
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water and Waste Management
601 57th St. SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0499 x43798
Email: Kelly.R.Kinder@wv.gov