Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s lab has been named Laboratory of the Year by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, an annual award recognizing one state lab for producing high-quality data that supports safe environmental protections, public health and regulatory compliance. The Wisconsin DNR recognized the district lab for technical proficiency, strong quality systems, staff training and proactive problem-solving.
"Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District distinguishes itself through a combination of a well-structured quality system, a highly motivated and knowledgeable team and a strong drive for success," says Matthew Stowe, Wisconsin DNR laboratory auditor. "The laboratory conducts a significant amount of community outreach and leads several programs focused on building trust within the community, which was just a couple of the things that inspired their nomination for this award."
District chemists conducted 60,656 analyses on 12,778 samples in 2025, helping ensure treated water returned to local watersheds meets environmental standards. The lab also supports watershed monitoring across the region.
“This recognition validates the precision and dedication our lab team carries,” says Martin Griffin, ecosystem services manager. “The data they produce doesn’t just support compliance, it drives district decisions that protect our water sources, local ecosystems and the people who live near them.”
Beyond routine testing, the team supports statewide and national wastewater surveillance for COVID, influenza, respiratory illnesses and measles; leads PFAS sampling and monitoring; conducts fish and stream monitoring in the Yahara watershed; supports public outreach water quality initiatives, and manages the Home Well Sampling Program.
"Being named Lab of the Year is an incredible honor and reflects our team’s hard work and expertise," says Mary Powers, lab supervisor. “Their attention to detail, commitment to quality and pride in their work are what make our lab exceptional.”
Read more about the recognition at madsewer.org. For a list of past award recipients, visit the Wisconsin DNR website.
