The Environmental Lab's purpose is to provide the highest value and quality of environmental testing, monitoring, assessment and information services to benefit both residents and the natural environment. This includes providing water quality testing for Lee County residents in a cost-effective manner. Water quality and biological monitoring of surface waters is also an important function.
The Environmental Laboratory collects, tests and assesses samples of:
- water
- soil
- hazardous materials
- biological materials
History of the Lab
The Environmental Lab originated in 1973 and has evolved from a staff of one chemist and one biologist to the current staff of 13 science professionals.
Laws & Regulations
The Laboratory operates under various laws and regulations at both the federal and state levels. Several programs within the Division of Natural Resources are some main users of our laboratory services. Well Permitting, Surface Water, Pollution Prevention, etc. manage programs that respond to the requirements established under federal and state laws, including:
- Hazardous Site Cleanup Act
- Clean Water Act: inspections/monitoring /assessment
- Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) work
- Water Quality regulations
- Clean Air Act