Drinking Water Lab Certification Program - Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

Program Overview

The Kentucky Drinking Water Lab Certification Program (KDWLCP) is administered by the Division of Water (DOW) within the Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet. The DOW certifies laboratories (both in-state and out-of-state) annually for chemistry, microbiology, radionuclides and Cryptosporidium analyses, ensuring that testing meets regulatory standards for public health protection. DOW performs on-site audits at least once every three years for in-state certified laboratories. Out-of-state laboratory certification is available through reciprocity with certification by an equivalent certifying authority.

This page serves as a technical resource hub, offering downloadable guidance documents, approved analytical methods, reporting limits, and tools for laboratory quality control and data reporting, highlighting regulatory updates - such as EPA method requirements - and providing reference materials to help laboratories maintain compliance and produce accurate, reliable water quality data. Although this page is updated periodically, it should not be considered the most up-to-date reference for obtaining information. If there are any discrepancies or concerns regarding any of the content within the Drinking Water Laboratory List or any other content on this page, please contact us.

Drinking Water Program SDWISSafe Drinking Water Information System

For more information contact:
DOWLabCertification@ky.gov

Announcements

Laboratories wishing to apply for Drinking Water Laboratory Certification (or renew their current certification) must submit a completed application and associated analyte-method list. Mail both documents to the address below by December 31st of the year prior to the certification period to avoid late fees.

Kentucky Division of Water
Laboratory Certification Section
300 Sower Blvd, 3rd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601

Items to download include:

Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Application Package
For new applications - use the Microbiology or Chemistry analyte-method list template

If you DO NOT require any changes to your analyte list, make sure to print it out and write No Changes.

If you DO require changes to your analyte list, print it out and do the following:

To remove an analyte method pairing, cross out the analyte method pairing with a single strike through and write remove on the side along with your initials and the date.
To add an analyte method pairing, at the bottom/end of the list provide the necessary information to add the analyte method pairing (Analyte code, Contaminant, Reference Method, KY Method Code, MRL and units).

Beginning in 2019, all drinking water certified laboratories are required to utilize the revised EPA Method Detection Limit Study Rev 2 procedure for all method-analyte pairs for which the laboratory is certified (see factsheet below).