COVID-19 UPDATE

YES, WE ARE STILL OPEN AND WELCOME YOUR SAMPLES!

Please take note of the following changes in MEL protocol due to our COVID-19 social-distancing efforts:

• We have increased our regular cleaning and disinfection of the office and lab spaces but ask that you DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING without prior permission. As of 3/25, we are now locking the entrance door, but we are still OPEN!  Please leave your samples and COC at the door and call us to let us know that you are here. 846-6569.
• Reception and Receiving is now OUTSIDE THE BUILDING, AT OUR ENTRANCE DOOR. Please call us at 846-6569 to let us know that you are here, and we will come down to meet you. Alternatively, bang on the door and call up the stairs. For those of you who have dragged coolers up our stairs for 20 years, this will come as an improvement in service!
• We are a small lab, and if ANY of our employees becomes ill, the lab will close our doors until everyone passes quarantine. Please help us stay healthy by not dropping by to chat. Of course, we would love to hear from you by phone or email.
• If it’s convenient, mail it: we are still receiving samples by USPS, UPS and FedEx (unless they experience interruptions in their services).

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Big Development: Maine Sludge Must Now be Tested for PFAS Chemicals PFOA, PFOS, PFBS

March, 2019 – The Maine DEP is now requiring that sludge for land application, composting or processing be tested for the PFAS chemicals PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS. YES, WE CAN HELP.  We have helped numerous municipalities get their testing underway.  Call Jackie Villinski at 846-6569.  See the DEP memorandum here (14 page pdf).

New at the Lab: ENTEROCOCCI Testing

Willard Beach, 2019.

April, 2019 – MEL is now accredited to perform testing for enterococci bacteria using the Idexx Enterolert method.  Enterococci is an indicator bacteria that suggests the presence of human pathogens from sewage pollution in recreational waters.  We are delighted to announce that MEL will be performing enterococci testing up and down the coast of Maine for the Maine Healthy Beaches program for the 2019 season.

New at the Lab: LEGIONELLA Testing

CDC photo.

We are now offering testing for Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ Disease. There is no longer any need to send your samples out of state for testing.

We use a reliable test method (IDEXX Legiolert) that is comparable to the traditional culture methods. The Legiolert test gives confirmed results in seven days whereas the traditional culture methods can take up to 14 days.  … more

OUR MISSION

Maine Environmental Laboratory performs analyses on samples of all kinds: drinking water, waste water, soil, ash, sludge, manure, wood chips, paint chips, shop rags, railroad ties, food slurry, dredge spoils, dirty oil, construction debris, mystery matrix… You name it, we’ve tested it.  We are a multi-purpose, full-service one-stop shop: if we can’t do it ourselves, we will find a lab who can do it for you, and handle the bottles,  shipping and reporting for you.

Our clients are industries and small organizations with regulated discharge permits, municipalities, engineering firms, the State of Maine, energy companies, and a whole lot of folks who want to ensure their well water is safe to drink.

Please contact us to discuss your special needs; we welcome custom projects and can scale to fit your needs.

Our most common analyses are listed below.