EPA lab gets US certification

EPA General Manager Moriana Phillips and Acting President Mattlan Zackhras (second and third from left, respectively) were on hand to recognize RMI EPA laboratory staff who received certification from the US EPA for water quality testing. Photo: Hilary Hosia
EPA General Manager Moriana Phillips and Acting President Mattlan Zackhras (second and third from left, respectively) were on hand to recognize RMI EPA laboratory staff who received certification from the US EPA for water quality testing. Photo: Hilary Hosia

The RMI EPA Majuro water quality laboratory was re-certified last week to analyze drinking water under the Colilert Method and marine and other surface water samples under the Enterolert Method. 

The US Freely Associated States Laboratory Certification Program issued the re-certification for a two-year term following review of the laboratory.  During the certification audit, Majuro Laboratory Supervisor Tuvuki Ketedromo, Majuro analysts Paul Paul and Richardo Jarom, as well as Ebeye Deputy General Manager Odrikawa Jatious were certified as laboratory technicians.

During the certification ceremony, Nimbus Environmental Services representative Edna Buchan who is a US EPA Laboratory Certification Officer under contract with US EPA, with funding provided by the US Department of the Interior, recognized the accomplishments of the Majuro lab and staff in being re-certified for both drinking water and marine water. 

“General Manager Moriana Phillips and her staff are very deserving of this re-certification,” she said. “I am extremely pleased to find that RMI EPA continues to uphold the highest level of laboratory practice standards since our previous audit, especially since the long time lab Manager Abe Hicking passed away earlier this year.”

Buchan also said she hopes the RMI EPA can build a lab facility at Ebeye because of the great need for a certified lab there.

Periodic audits and certification are necessary to ensure the RMI lab produces scientifically valid and legally defensible data, and that the staff are qualified to analyze water samples for bacterial contamination. Protection of public health through monitoring of drinking water and recreational waters is a priority mandate for RMI EPA.

The four newly re-certified lab technicians honored the late and long time EPA lab manager Abraham Hicking, attributing their success to his support and mentoring. During the certification ceremony, Phillips announced a future christening ceremony that would officially name the Majuro lab the “Abraham Hicking Laboratory.”

Read more about this in the October 14, 2016 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.