Blackstone Water Pollution Group Updates Its Laboratory

The Blackstone River holds a special place for Debra LeVergne, laboratory and pretreatment manager at Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District in Massachusetts.She grew up in the river’s watershed, and this is where she first caught the environmental bug. As the lab and pretreatment manager, LeVergne is able to focus on the big picture, which to her is the safety of the environment for the enjoyment of all.In November 2008, LeVergne was awarded The Laboratory Proficiency Award by the Massachusetts Water Pollution Control Association. The award is given to a person who exemplifies “outstanding dedication and integrity in laboratory analysis, reporting and follow through.” A talented and devoted person, LeVergne has advanced at Upper Blackstone from Laboratory Technician to her current position. Among her many achievements, LeVergne is the district representative in the Blackstone River Team Project on environmental issues; manages the hazardous waste recycling center for the city of Worchester; directs all plant tours; and designed a more modern and updated laboratory during the district's upgrade project.Modernization of the laboratory included installation of a new ventilation system, cabinetry, bench tops and other laboratory fixtures. LeVergne’s emphasis on quality and accuracy, together with the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's stringent effluent standards, prompted her search for new analytical equipment. She acquired an atomic absorption system for metals and the EasyChem discrete analyzer for nutrient analysis. The Upper Blackstone laboratory routinely runs tests for metals, ammonia, total Kjeldahl phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen and nitrate/nitrite for process optimization. The new instrumentation provides the needed accuracy and reproducibility LeVergne demands.“Not only are we able to run more tests, but we are able to run unexpected samples in house instead of sending them to contract labs," said Laboratory Technician Cindy D'Alessandro.