Mission Statement:
"The Division of Environmental Services provides biological and chemical data and technical assistance to other divisions within Ohio EPA, state and local agencies, and private entities in order to help monitor and protect human health and the environment to ensure a high quality of life in Ohio."
Overview of the Division of Environmental Services
The Division Of Environmental Services is located in Reynoldsburg, Ohio at 8955 East Main Street. We currently employ 30 chemists and biologists to analyze environmental samples, inspect laboratories, and provide technical assistance. We are staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday but are closed on all state and federal holidays and weekends. For a fact sheet about the lab, click here.
For Ohio EPA to realize its mission of the protection of public health and the environment through compliance with environmental laws, Agency environmental specialists depend on scientific data to make appropriate, well-informed decisions. The Division of Environmental Services (DES) - the Agency’s laboratory - provides this data. Activities performed by DES are divided into two major program areas: Analytical Laboratory Services and Laboratory Certification and Assistance.
The Analytical Laboratory Services program includes the chemistry, microbiology, and bioassay sections. The chemistry and microbiology groups perform analyses of drinking, surface and groundwater samples, as well as wastewater effluent, sediment, soil, sludge, manure, air filter, air canister, and fish, turtle and plant tissue samples. Analyses include testing for inorganic pollutants, (such as mercury, cyanide, arsenic, cadmium, lead, oil & grease, and ammonia), microbiological constituents (such as E.coli.), and organic contaminants (such as pesticides, herbicides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)).
The bioassay group conducts toxicity studies of wastewater effluents and sediments on aquatic organisms. The samples analyzed by DES come from site specific monitoring conducted by the field staff within Ohio EPA. Site specific monitoring quantified by laboratory analyses identifies sources of known environmental problems and reveal other pollution that might otherwise go undetected. Permits and management solutions can then be developed by Ohio EPA that are appropriate to achieving environmental benefits in a cost-effective manner. This monitoring also measures progress toward achieving compliance with environmental laws and standards and provides information on which pollution control strategies work best and which measures are not effective.
The Laboratory Certification and Assistance program includes the Drinking Water laboratory certification program. In addition, DES conducts performance audit inspections of laboratories for NPDES permitting purposes and provides training and technical assistance within and outside Ohio EPA.
The Ohio EPA Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program is managed by two divisions within Ohio EPA. The Division of Environmental Services is responsible for the operation of the program. The Division of Drinking and Ground Waters administers the program and issues laboratory certificates. All drinking water laboratories in Ohio are inspected and certified by DES staff as having proper equipment and facilities as well as trained staff employing proper analytical techniques in order to ensure the safety of water obtained from public water systems. Laboratory certification documents, such as: applications, manuals, newsletters and construction/ remodeling information are available at the Division of Drinking and Ground Water Laboratory Certification (DDAGW) web page:
www.epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/labcert_overview.aspx.
In addition to these two certification programs, DES also coordinates U.S. EPA's annual Discharge Monitoring Report - Quality Assurance (DMR-QA) proficiency testing program for wastewater laboratories in Ohio. Based on the results of annual DMR-QA testing, as well as requests from the Division of Surface Water, DES conducts performance audit inspections (PAIs) of wastewater testing laboratories used by the regulated community.
DES interacts extensively with laboratories throughout Ohio by responding to technical assistance requests, providing reference materials, and conducting onsite training on proper analytical procedures.
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DES facility on Ohio Department of Agriculture campus, Reynoldsburg
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Discharge Monitoring Report - Quality Assurance: DMR-QA
For information and materials, please visit the U.S. EPA DMR-QA web page:
http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/monitoring/programs/cwa/dmr/index.html
All correspondence should be addressed to:
Steve Roberts
DMR-QA Coordinator
Ohio EPA - Division of Environmental Services
8955 East Main Street
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
ACCEPTABLE CORRECTIVE ACTION PROCEDURES:
Upon completion of investigation and identification of the cause of data judged unacceptable, permittees may select one of the following options to satisfy demonstration of effective remediation:
- Participation in a WP Proficiency Testing (PT) study. Permittees are only required to analyze parameters that were failed in the most recent DMR-QA study. In completing the provider's data forms, permittees should designate the state DMR-QA coordinator as a recipient of the performance evaluation report.
A list of accredited providers can be obtained from the US EPA DMR-QA web site linked above.
The comprehensive and accurate completion of paperwork submitted helps us to compile and evaluate these studies. Your cooperation and efforts in this matter are appreciated. We wish you continued success in this and future studies.
Links to Related Sites
United States EPA - http://www.epa.gov/
Water Environment Federation - http://www.wef.org/
Operator Training Committee of Ohio - http://www.ohiowater.org/otco/otco.htm