EPA Actions to Address Drinking Water Testing and Quality Control Concerns at CDPHE State Public Health Laboratory
EPA ensures that the drinking water systems serving our communities protect public health by requiring that all drinking water compliance samples are analyzed by certified laboratories using approved analytical methods.
In April 2024, EPA revoked the certification of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) State Public Health Laboratory for a test that is part of the larger suite of testing used to confirm that drinking water meets federal requirements. EPA also placed the Laboratory on provisional certification status for all other organic and inorganic drinking water tests. In August 2024, EPA was made aware of additional quality control deficiencies at the Laboratory and subsequently revoked drinking water certification for three additional categories of chemical compounds.
EPA is encouraged that CDPHE is conducting a comprehensive investigation of concerns in the chemistry program at the State Laboratory and is actively taking steps to address issues as their investigation continues. EPA’s evaluation of the issues is ongoing, and the agency continues to work closely with CDPHE to ensure all identified issues are remedied.
EPA’s evaluation of these concerns is ongoing, and the agency continues to work closely with CDPHE to ensure all identified issues are remedied.
Documents related to EPA actions
- December 30, 2024 EPA Notification to CDPHE of Lapsed Certification for 11 EPA Chemistry Methods (pdf)
- December 11, 2024 EPA Response Letter to CDPHE's Appeal of Final Revocation of Certification for EPA Methods 300.0, 353.2, and 552.2 (pdf)
- September 3, 2024 EPA Revocation Letter to CDPHE (pdf)
- April 18, 2024 EPA Revocation Letter to CDPHE (pdf)