The Public Health Laboratory's Environmental Microbiology Division analyzes samples from Mississippi's
public water supplies for regulatory compliance. The laboratory also analyzes raw milk, finished product milk and bottled water
for regulatory compliance. It employs a Division Director and five analysts.
The Environmental Microbiology Laboratory performs bacteriological analyses on water samples submitted by public water systems . Analyses may be performed on private well samples submitted by local health departments.
As a laboratory certified and audited directly
by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the laboratory adheres
to the specifications of methods approved by EPA.
The Environmental Microbiology Laboratory performs bacteriological
analyses on water samples submitted by public water systems.
Samples are examined for the presence of the coliform group of bacteria, which
are indicators of fecal contamination. Water is not examined for pathogenic bacteria.
This Laboratory does not examine water samples for Giardia or Cryptosporidium. Water samples submitted for
Giardia or Cryptosporidium will be analyzed for Total and Fecal Coliform organisms.
No sample for drinking water analysis should be submitted from swimming pools,
lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, open wells, unprotected springs, or from
any source where there is visible evidence of contamination.
Printed reports are mailed to the submitting public water system. Private well sample reports are mailed to the submitting local health department.
Results of tests are provided to the MSDH Bureau of Public Water Supply to ensure regulatory compliance.
The Bureau of Public Water Supply is the enforcement authority responsible for ensuring that public
water systems comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
If residents have questions concerning the quality of drinking water from their public
water system, they should contact the MSDH Bureau of Public Water Supply Compliance
and Enforcement office at (601) 576-7518.
Bottled Water monitoring samples are tested at the request of the Office of Health Protection, Milk and Bottled Water Program.
Additional testing is available to in-state permitted bottlers for a fee. Contact the Office of Health Protection,
Milk and Bottled Water Program for permit information and testing requests.
As a laboratory certified and audited directly by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration, the laboratory adheres to the specifications of methods approved by FDA.
The Environmental Microbiology Laboratory provides analyses of raw milk and dairy products
on samples received from the Office of Health Protection, Milk and Bottled Water Program. All regulatory requirements
of the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shippers (NCIMS) are followed.
Dairy products may be analyzed by the following procedures:
- Standard Plate Count
- Coliform Plate Count
- Antibiotic Residue
- Direct Microscopic Somatic Cell Count
- Electronic Somatic Cell Count
- Alkaline Phosphatase Test
- Container Testing
- Butterfat Content
Results for these tests are forwarded to MSDH Office of Health Protection, Milk and Bottled Water Program to ensure regulatory compliance.
Office of Health Protection, Milk and Bottled Water Program is the enforcement authority responsible for ensuring compliance with the NCIMS.
The MSDH Public Health Laboratory has been designated
by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the certifying agency for approval
of microbiological laboratories processing milk and dairy samples for compliance purposes.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency has designated the Laboratory as the certifying agency for
approval of chemical and microbiological
laboratories processing water samples for compliance purposes.
Further information on
lab certification can be found on the Environmental Laboratory Certification page.
See the Lab Services Guide for collection and submission requirements for all samples.
See the Agency Manual for instructions related to sample submission /report forms.
