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Laredo utility says in‑house bacteriological lab will be accredited this fall; ‘super lab’ design budgeted
Summary
Utility staff told the advisory committee that a renovated bacteriological lab is operational in a provisional capacity and staff expect accreditation by September–October; a larger central 'super lab' has been budgeted and will move to council for design approval.
The City of Laredo’s Utilities Department said on July 9 that it has refurbished a local bacteriological laboratory and acquired detector and incubation equipment; the lab is currently used informally but is not yet accredited for official results.
The director said staff are working on accreditation and expect the lab to be accredited by September–October, after which it would provide 24/7 testing capacity and serve as a backup to regional labs. A separate, larger central laboratory — described by staff as a ‘‘super lab’’ capable of bacteriological, heavy‑metal and other analyses — is in the architectural design phase and budgeted; staff said they will bring the design phase request to council for approval when finalized.
The director said the department is training several staff as samplers and lab professionals and has contracted with a firm to help secure accreditation. Committee members asked whether smaller jurisdictions would have access; staff said regional towns would benefit because those samples currently are sent out of the area for testing.
No formal committee action was taken; the update was informational.
