Our three full-time laboratory specialists complete over 7,700 lab tests annually to ensure that your drinking water meets all federal and state regulations. We also test the wastewater to assist operational staff in maintaining daily treatment process balance and to ensure that the final effluent meets and exceeds federal and state standards. Lab technicians count and identify algae populations in the reservoirs to help prevent harmful blooms, and analyze water and wastewater for coliform and E. coli bacteria, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous), metals, oxygen demand and solids. A typical day might consist of running a nutrient analysis and preparing reagents for use in both the main lab and the many treatment plant satellite labs. We also serve as the laboratory for the Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) and the City of Charlottesville Public Works department for their lab needs.
