Laboratory Services

Certification & Testing

The laboratory at the Muscatine Water & Resource Recovery Facility, also known as the Water Pollution Control Plant, is certified every two (2) years by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The laboratory performs testing for biochemical and carbonaceous oxygen demand (BOD and CBOD), total suspended solids (TSS), settleability, ammonia, oil and grease by method EPA 1664, pH, phosphorus, total kjeldahl nitrogen, E. Coli, and metals analysis.

The WRRF Laboratory tests Discharge Monitoring Report Quality Assurance (DMR-QA) proficiency samples on a yearly basis and follows good laboratory practices. The lab tests local industries for their wastewater discharge, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) testing samples for the WRRF, process samples, NPDES septic discharge, and the soil and biosolids programs.

Septic Discharge Testing

The Muscatine WRRF Laboratory provides testing for on-site wastewater treatment or septic system discharges for homeowners in Muscatine County who have a NPDES general permit Number 4 agreement with the Iowa DNR. The testing requirements for the septic discharge are defined in the permit for CBOD and TSS. Some of the permits may require E. Coli testing, depending on the discharges proximity to a body of water. For information in regards to testing, please contact Laboratory Supervisor Patti Fuller-Bloechl at 563.263.2752.

All samples for routine testing and time of transfer must be taken by a certified sampler. For questions in regards to sampling requirements, required testing, and certified samplers, please contact the Muscatine County Environmental Health Department at 563.263.0482 or visit the Muscatine County Environmental Health Department website.

Laboratory Hours & Fees

The WRRF Laboratory is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Sample drop-offs must be between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For septic discharge samples, please contact the laboratory at 563.263.2752. Download a listing of laboratory testing fees (PDF).