Press Releases

Contact: Public Relations Department
Suffolk County Water Authority
PO Box 37
Oakdale NY 11769
(631) 563-0296

July 27, 2001
SCWA "ACES" State Test Again

As on several previous occasions, the Suffolk County Water Authority Lab has received a perfect score on its most recent Proficiency Test, SCWA Lab Director Karen Randazzo has announced. Furthermore, the lab has also earned a new accreditation under the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.

For years, the New York State Department of Health has administered Proficiency Tests on a twice-yearly basis. The SCWA Lab has always passed these tests, which are required to maintain state certification, usually with perfect or near-perfect scores. The most recent results show that the lab once more has the distinction of having done every single test accurately and properly.

"This accomplishment has required the total participation of the entire laboratory staff," Randazzo said. "I am extremely pleased with their hard work and dedication." She noted that the Bacteriology part of the test called upon them to analyze 10 unknown samples for total coliform and E. coli plus one sample for heterotropic bacteria. The Chemistry part of the test required the analysis of 130 samples in total for metals, pesticides, herbicides and other compounds both organic and inorganic.

The most recent Proficiency Test was also the last part of a one-year effort to achieve the national accreditation, which also involved a formal application process, other Proficiency Tests and a four-day on site inspection of the lab. The facility, located in Hauppauge, is the largest in the nation based entirely upon groundwater.

"These results represent good news for the more than a million people we serve," said SCWA Chairman Michael A. LoGrande. "They can have the utmost confidence that the quality of their drinking water is being protected by the many tests our lab conducts on an ongoing basis. This latest score confirms, once more, that we have standards, equipment, and highly-trained, hardworking employees we can all be very proud of. In our 50-year history, we have always complied with all health and safety requirements, and we will continue to do everything we can to assure our customers that the water we provide is pure, safe and constantly tested."

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public benefit corporation operating by virtue of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving about 80% of Suffolk's residents, it operates without taxing power on a non-profit basis.