Environmental Lab Page 
City and County of Broomfield
HomeOnline Services linkDepartment Listing linkBroomfield Services linkBusiness Information linkCity and County Government linkAbout Broomfield linkA to Z Index link
Public Works Home
Public Works Divisions
Environmental Services:
Home
Contact Us
Today's Air Quality
Conservation - Business Energy
Conservation - Home Energy
Conservation - Water
Environmental Laboratory
Events Calendar
Household Hazardous Waste
Mosquito Control
Phone Books - Opt Out of Delivery
Recycling Center
Recycling Information
Rocky Flats Monitoring
Solar Power Working for Broomfield
Stop Junk Mailings
Tree Limb Recycling Program
Wastewater Laboratory
Water Facts and FAQs
Water Quality Report (Printer Friendly)
Related Links

Public Works Department
Environmental Services

Environmental Laboratory

The Environmental Laboratory is located at Broomfield's Water Treatment Facility at 4395 W. 144th Ave. (northwest of the intersection of 144th Ave. and Lowell Blvd).  The Lab's mission is to assess, protect and improve water quality in our community. Worker in Environmental LabThis mission is achieved by developing and maintaining a water quality laboratory program to ensure that all standards for the protection of public health and the environment are met. The lab staff promptly responds to consumer concerns and provides timely follow-up. The staff works diligently to ensure that the city and county water resources are appropriately used and protected.

Program Description  

Broomfield maintains an independent water quality laboratory to serve the community. Our laboratory meets stringent Quality Assurance requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and is Certified to analyze drinking water for contaminants that may pose a health risk.

The Environmental Laboratory staff currently consists of 5 full-time and 1 part-time employee whose duties range from collecting samples, to chemical and microbiological analyses, to program management. The goals of the program are to:

  • Ensure compliance with all Drinking Water Standards for the protection of public health established by the EPA and CDPHE. Our water supply has never violated a drinking water standard or any other regulatory requirement. The annual Drinking Water Quality report for 2010 is available here Broomfield's 2010 Consumer Confidence Report.
  • Respond to consumer concerns by answering questions about drinking water, preparing and distributing water quality reports, collecting and analyzing samples, and investigating problems involving water quality, seeps, or other environmental concerns. Fact Sheets are available for frequently asked questions.
  • Analyze source water supplies to determine what treatment is needed to produce high-quality drinking water.
  • Monitor the treated water to assess the effectiveness of the treatment process.
  • Test new water mains to ensure that they meet sanitation requirements before they are connected to the distribution system.
  • Provide an early warning of problems in the distribution system that may require changes in the treatment process, or in the operation and maintenance of the system.
  • Support national and statewide efforts to implement a watershed approach to improving the quality of U.S. waters by actively participating in planning, monitoring and management activities for our watershed.
  • Provide monitoring of all of the ponds in Broomfield. Broomfield maintains numerous ponds and reservoirs throughout the community. These ponds serve as aquatic amenities associated with neighborhoods, parks and trails, wildlife areas, urban fisheries, or storm water detention facilities; most have multiple functions. The pond monitoring program 's goal is to characterize and track water quality, and to establish management strategies that will support the goals for the ponds and minimize the potential for fish kills, nuisance algae blooms, or odors.
  • The Pond Monitoring Video gives you an up close view of the program.

The Environmental Laboratory provides analytical and regulatory services to various customers, including Broomfield water consumers, the Drinking Water Treatment Facility, Wastewater Reclamation Facility, Industrial Pretreatment Program, the Engineering Inspection and Utilities Divisions, state and federal regulators, and stakeholders within the watershed. Environmental Laboratory services are independent of other City divisions so that operational and regulatory functions may be carried out in an unbiased manner. 

Environmental lab analysis

Environmental testing ponds Environmental testing in the lab

The Environmental Laboratory and Wastewater Laboratory work together to make the best use of resources and avoid unnecessary duplication of instrumentation or services. The Environmental Laboratory follows approved analytical methods and adheres to a quality assurance program designed to ensure that the data produced are accurate, reliable and defensible. The Laboratory is Certified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to perform Chemistry, Microbiology, and Radiochemistry to assess compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Both manual and instrumental analysisEnvironmental lab worker methods are used, and instrumentation consists of an Autoanalyzer, Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, Gas Proportional Counter, and a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer. Sampling locations include Broomfield’s raw water supplies, water treatment processes, drinking water, wastewater, residential tap water, and surface water leaving the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site. The laboratory also gathers water quality information for various wells, streams, ditches, and ponds, and responds to residents with water-quality concerns.

In addition to analytical services, Environmental Laboratory personnel research and track the development of new regulations so that the City is prepared to meet upcoming requirements. Lab personnel participate in the regulatory process by evaluating the impact of changes to the water and wastewater regulations, preparing input, formal comments and testimony for the rulemaking process, and participating in State implementation of recently promulgated regulations.

Environmental Lab personnel also participate in various stakeholder groups, such as the Big Dry Creek Watershed Association and the Rocky Flats Integrated Monitoring Plan work group, and interface with other agencies as needed.

Back to Environment 
      Home


Related Links:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-Water Quality Control Division

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-Water Quality Control Commission

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-Water Quality Regulations

Rocky Mountain Water Quality Analyst's Association

American Water Works Association

Rocky Mountain Section-American Water Works Association

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8 

Big Dry Creek Watershed Association