Functions and responsibilities of the Environmental Monitoring Laboratory

The Environmental Monitoring Laboratory (EML) designs and implements projects for the improvement of the environment of Broward County and in support the goals and objectives of the Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department.  Laboratory staff regularly collect samples at various monitoring sites selected by state, county and federal governments to ensure proper monitoring and assessments can be completed.  Staff are also available to provide technical and contract support to other county, state and local agencies. The laboratory staff develop and implement projects, and interprets and report results of theses studies to interested regulatory entities and the general public.  Regulatory changes are implemented through a number of programs including the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and Everglades Restoration Program.  The Lab can analyze for a number of parameters in soils and surface and ground waters, including; extractable organics, nutrients, metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), microbial parameters and physical properties of the samples.  Presently, the laboratory is certified for the identification of Fecal Coliform and Enterococci in surface waters to comply with the needs of cities and municipalities as part of the NPDES Program.  The laboratory is also developing capabilities for Molecular Microbial Source Tracking (MST) to identify sources of pollutants in our waterways and the best way to reduce their impacts.