MPCA certifies Minnesota municipal, government, or industrial laboratories that are used to comply with National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)/State Disposal System (SDS) permits or for water quality work for agency programs. MPCA certification includes a lab auditing and assistance process. The goal is to help laboratories consistently provide defensible data, satisfy NPDES/SDS requirements, and protect and improve the state's water quality. The program began in 2013 and replaced the requirement for accreditation by the MDH Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (which still certifies drinking water and commercial laboratories).
Applications
Submit applications for new certifications at any time. Each November, labs apply for certification renewal or the next calendar year. The MPCA typically sends invoices by January of the certification year and mails program certificates when payments are received.
See the application for complete instructions:
Lab certification manual and rule
The MPCA Laboratory Certification Program manual provides information on on-site evaluation and other program requirements.
Minnesota rules address program application, proficiency testing requirements, and fees.
Tools
Training
The Minnesota Wastewater Operators Association's Process Control/Laboratory Training Committee offers training once a year.
Certification steering committee
A steering committee with members from small and large municipal and industrial laboratories, government nonprofit laboratories, and facility consultants advises the MPCA on the certification process, training, and outreach. Member of the committee rotate on a set schedule with new members. Meetings are public. Email the MPCA with questions, concerns, or topics of discussion for the committee.
Frequently asked questions
The application has a section for non-certified parameters. How does this apply to me?
The section is for field parameters to be analyzed by a certified lab that are not required by your permit. The MPCA asks that you to describe the methods you use for field parameters, and provide a copy of the SOP; there is no fee. Though they don't require certification, field parameters must be analyzed in accordance with 40 CFR part 136 to report the data for compliance.
We are no longer a MDH-certified lab. Our permit-required tests are contracted through a commercial lab. Will this MPCA lab certification apply to us?
No. As long as your permit-required, NPDES/SDS compliance testing is conducted by a commercial lab, your in-house laboratory does not require MPCA certification.
Does this program include out-of-state laboratories that perform analyses for NPDES permit compliance for clients in Minnesota? Or is the certification program only for laboratories located within the state of Minnesota?
This program only applies to facilities that hold NPDES/SDS permits issued by the MPCA; no out-of-state laboratories will be included in the program.
If we renew our accreditation with the MDH, must we also be accredited with the MPCA?
NPDES labs may choose to maintain MDH Accreditation if they wish to, as an alternative to MPCA certification.
Is the MPCA now the certifying body for commercial laboratories?
No. The MPCA Certification Program is only for laboratories run by facilities that have an MPCA-issued NPDES/SDS permit or produce water quality data for MPCA programs. MDH will continue to accredit commercial laboratories.
What if my lab performs analyses for biosolids?
The MPCA certifies laboratories for the analyses needed for the biosolids program.