Laboratory Department:
-
The Sanitary District of Decatur Laboratory staff plays a pivotal role in maintaining the quality and compliance of our wastewater treatment processes.
The Lab Department supports the district in the following ways:
· Core Functions: Analyzes water, air, and biosolid samples to ensure NPDES permit compliance and monitor industrial discharges.
· Unique Expertise: Conducts about 2,000 lab tests per month with a staff of five, providing crucial data for plant operations and monitoring.
· Collaborative Efforts: Supplies daily data to the Operations Department for effective plant management and supports other departments with various analytical needs.
· History: Since 1924, the lab has been essential to SDD, founded by chemist Dr. W.D. Hatfield, whose early research and test method developments are still in use.
· Future Goals: Plans include training all lab employees on a new optical emission
spectrometer for metals analysis and achieving comprehensive test method proficiency.
Sampling and Analysis for:
- Treatment Plant Process Control
- Permit requirements (NPDES, Land Application of Digested Sludge, etc.)
- Project Support
- Intergovernmental activities support
- Research & Development
- Sangamon River, Steven’s Creek, local lakes, and groundwater
- Industrial Dischargers
- Analysis Quality Control
Notable:
- As an accredited laboratory, all required analytical performance tests as related to the EPA DMRQA Performance Evaluation Study have been passed by the Laboratory Staff.
- The original founder of the laboratory, W.D. Hatfield was an innovator in plant treatment technologies and analytical methodology for support.
Documents:
