Water lab changes approved

Lawmakers gave final approval Feb. 29 to a bill that makes changes to state law relating to the laboratory testing of drinking water in Nebraska.

LB19, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to develop certification standards for private laboratories to test drinking water samples provided by public water systems for all acute toxins.

The department will develop regulations regarding quality assurance and quality control procedures, communication of test results and staffing, equipment, procedures and methodology for conducting laboratory tests.

LB19 passed on a 41-0 vote.