The Kentucky laboratory certification program is administered by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Laboratories must be approved and certified prior to analyzing public drinking water samples.
The Division of Water (DOW) certifies laboratories annually for chemical and microbiological analyses and performs on-site laboratory audits at least once every three years. DOW's certification program regulatory authority is based on 401 KRS 8:040, which incorporates U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for drinking water. DOW accepts reciprocity for EPA-certified radiological laboratories performing analyses for public water systems in Kentucky.
A complete list of EPA-approved test methods can be found in 40 CFR 141 (National Primary Drinking Water Regulations) and 142 (National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Implementation). Complete method text can be found in either 40 CFR 141, Standard Methods (editions 18, 19 and 20), and/or the EPA Web site. For Kentucky public drinking water analyses, all test methods must be approved by DOW.
DOW administers the chemistry and microbiology certification program. The DOW laboratory certification officer is Patrick Garrity, who may be contacted at 502-564-3410 or by e-mail at patrick.garrity@ky.gov. The cabinet contracts Morehead State University as a microbiology third-party auditor. The university is also available for technical support; contact Dr. Ted Pass or Rita Wright at 606-783-2961/2962. Final microbiology certification decisions are made by the DOW laboratory certification officer.
