Geosyntec Recommends Use of Validated Lab in MST Study Design
Source Molecular Corporation outlined its laboratory's capabilities in microbial source tracking at a brown bag event sponsored by Geosyntec Consultants in California earlier this month.
- (1888PressRelease) November 25, 2015 - Geosyntec Consultants Inc. shared nine (9) good practices of microbial source tracking (MST) study design, one of which is the use of a validated lab, at its Brown Bag Presentation: Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) and Microbial Source Tracking (MST) on November 10, 2015, at its Oakland, CA office. Geosyntec's Brandon Steets said the use of a validated lab is essential for results to be credible with regulators.
Mr. Steets provided guidance on identification and control of urban bacteria sources as well as guidance on microbial source tracking (MST). He shared good practices of MST study design such as utilizing local knowledge and historical data; careful attention to proper sample collection procedures; and careful attention to quality assurance and quality control procedures. Mr. Steets explained that knowing the sources of bacteria matter because not all sources represent the same public health threat.
Mr. Steets said poorly planned MST investigations result in inconclusive and unsatisfying results, as well as wasted money and unmet objectives. He emphasized on the need for clear study objectives and proper study design in order to maximize likelihood of achieving desired outcomes. "Strive for value in your analytical designs. Don't strive of the lowest costs," Mr. Steets told attendees who are representatives from San Mateo, Regional Water Quality Control Board, City of San Jose, water districts, public utilities commission, non-government organizations, and environmental laboratories.
Source Molecular Corporation's Mauricio Larenas was a guest speaker at the event and he outlined the laboratory's capabilities in microbial source tracking. He expressed great excitement for the next 12 months because Source Molecular will become the first accredited MST laboratory in the world. To become accredited essentially means that regulators must find that the method is fundamentally sound and that the laboratory is capable of doing the method.
Source Molecular, the largest commercial MST laboratory in the world, has been proficiency-tested by the EPA independently against academic laboratories and allowed it to participate in the creation of the MST standard that the national regulator will release in the next 12 months.
"We are [also] the only commercial laboratory to participate in the California water quality bacteria source tracking guide document [California's Source Identification Protocol Project]," Mr. Larenas said. "We have an intimate knowledge more so than any laboratory that's offering this commercially of what California needs and what they're looking for and what markers they want."
Source Molecular has worked with many water managers in cities, counties, utilities, water districts, state regulators, and NGOs across the country on their source identification projects. Source Molecular has also partnered with numerous engineering and consultation firms, as well as other environmental laboratories by providing its much-needed expertise on MST analysis.
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