The Public Health Laboratory's Organic Chemistry Division analyzes samples from Mississippi's public water supplies for regulatory compliance. It employs a Division Director and five analysts.
The Bureau of Public Water Supply is equipped with a high-performance liquid chromatograph, gas chromatographs, and purge-and-trap gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers, as well as the preparation equipment to support these instruments.
The Environmental Organic Chemistry Division also operates and maintains the chemistry section of the Water Supply Laboratory Certification Program, which certifies laboratories for drinking water compliance monitoring within the state of Mississippi.
Further information on lab certification can be found on the Environmental Laboratory Certification page.
The Environmental Organic Chemistry Division analyzes drinking water for a number of chemical contaminants:
- Insecticides
- Herbicides
- Carbamates and Vydate
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls
- Semivolatile Organic Compounds
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Trihalomethanes
- Haloacetic Acids
Results for these tests are forwarded 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's Compliance and Enforcement office at (601) 576-7518.
Contact
For further information, or answers to questions, contact the Environmental Organic Chemistry Division director at 601-576-7582.
