Laboratory Expansion Project

WSSC Water is investing $36.7 million to upgrade its Maryland Department of the Environment-certified laboratory to meet increased demand for water quality analysis and ensure another century of safe water.

Prior to the current lab’s existence, we conducted our water and wastewater analyses at facilities throughout our service area. To streamline our analysis processes, increase staff efficiency and reduce redundancies, we consolidated into the existing laboratory in 2001. More than 500,000 water quality tests are performed annually at this lab, including analysis of drinking water, source water, wastewater, stormwater, landfill effluent and biosolids samples.

    

The results of these tests are used to make operational changes, adjust treatment processes, and for regulatory reporting for numerous WSSC Water wastewater and water facilities and systems. Over the past 18 years, our Laboratory Division has experienced an increased analytical workload, number of employees and instruments, and additional functions. The number of water-quality analyses performed annually is expected to increase to more than 750,000 in the next 20 years. 

WSSC Water currently depends on contract laboratories for critical and regulatory analyses that cannot be handled in house due to space, infrastructure and instrument limitations. A business case study was performed in 2018 to address growing demands for water analysis. After evaluating a few alternatives, full expansion was considered the most feasible alternative to address the demand. The expanded facility will add 19,720 square feet of workspace to the 27,193 square-foot existing facility. Once completed, the new expansion will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certified under the U.S. Green Building Council rating system. 

Construction will begin in summer 2022 and be substantially complete in spring 2024. 

Laboratory Expansion Project Fact Sheet

News About the Project:

• WSSC Water Toasts Start of $36.7 Million Water Quality Laboratory Expansion - WSSC Water
• WSSC Water Toasts Start Of $36.7M Water Quality Laboratory Expansion - Water Online
• WSSC Water begins water quality laboratory expansion - Water World