NSCMLT Position Statement on Water Testing
Issued May 2005
The NSCMLT supports the Nova Scotia Policy of Accreditation of Laboratories issued by the Department of Environment and Labour. This policy deals with the accreditation and proficiency testing for competency of laboratories providing analytical results to the Department of Environment and Labour.
The Department of Environment and Labour is responsible for ensuring that all laboratories meet acceptable standards as outlined in this policy.
The NSCMLT recognizes that water-testing is generally performed by licensed MLTs. While there is an important association between this duty and public health and the prevention of disease, basic water-testing is not an issue for our organization. The NSCMLT does support licensed MLTs being involved when complex and in depth diagnostic laboratory testing is required for identification and susceptibility of enteric pathogenic organisms.