MADISON, WI, April 1, 2013 -- The Department of Natural Resources has recognized the City of Watertown's Wastewater Treatment Plant as the 2013 Registered Laboratory of the Year. The award is presented annually to recognize laboratories for their outstanding commitment to producing high quality data.
Laboratories, such as the lab at the Watertown Wastewater Treatment Plant, perform the vital function of monitoring the quality of treated water discharged into the environment assuring that it meets all applicable standards for protecting public health and natural resources.
"The lab staff and management at the Watertown lab make their lab a priority and regularly exceed the minimum requirements for compliance," said Camille Turcotte DNR environmental science services section chief who presented the award at today's Natural Resources Board meeting in Madison.
Sample analysis is exacting and precise work, and to keep quality high, the Watertown lab has implemented an exceptional quality control program to monitor results and procedures. The lab has also installed preventive maintenance schedules to make sure vital equipment functions properly and accurately.
The lab was also commended for the quality of their record keeping and the clarity of their standard operating procedures.
The laboratory, under the leadership of Laboratory Manager Kyle Mealy, Water Systems Manager Paul Lange and Assistant Water Systems Manager Kevin Freber, had no deficiencies during a recent inspection by a DNR laboratory certification audit chemist.
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