By Nick Ross, Operations Manager, WETLAB – Western Environmental Testing Laboratory

Nevada is an ideal state for businesses or companies to relocate to or build from the ground up. Specifically, in the northern part of the state, with the business-friendly environment and large amount of industrial space, it’s no wonder that companies like Apple, Tesla, Panasonic and Switch are deciding to call northern Nevada home. The region is also home to unique environmental factors that can greatly affect businesses, the economy and its citizens. Whether businesses are starting construction on a brand-new building or deciding to relocate to an existing space, there are several aspects that should be taken into consideration including the region’s groundwater tables, natural recourses, drought conditions and renowned water resources.

Groundwater Tables
Northern Nevada’s environment contains both very low and very high groundwater tables in close geographic areas. Ground water is impacted by precipitation, irrigation and ground cover. It also may be affected by land use. The water table can fluctuate with the seasons from year to year because it is affected by climatic variations, as well as how much water may be drawn from underground.

Groundwater is held underground in the soil or in the pores and crevices in a rock. Low groundwater can be extremely conducive to some endeavors like mines or landfills. However, low groundwater can also pose a problematic element for others like production wells. On the other hand, high groundwater tends to have the opposite effect. Mine dewatering – removing groundwater from a mine or contaminated groundwater due to seepage, are both present in northern Nevada’s environment.

Abundant Natural Resources
The region is filled with natural resources buried deep within the Earth. Resources like mineral deposits of gold, silver and lithium are buried in northern Nevada. The state’s great mineral wealth established this unique geographic region as a state nearly 150 years ago. Today, it continues to be an essential sector in Nevada’s economy. Thanks to world-class deposits of gold and silver, mining is Nevada’s largest export industry. Nevada’s mining industry was a vital source of technological advancement in the 19th century and continues to drive innovation in engineering and science. More than 12,000 people are directly employed by the Nevada mining industry. With a thriving mining industry, other industries and the state’s economy reap the benefits of numerous natural resource exports.

Extreme Drought Conditions
These extreme drought conditions can lead to more natural landscape erosion which in turn require more chemicals to maintain farmlands or golf courses. These conditions can also contracture to additional non-point source pollution when the rain causes runoff for the drought-stricken areas. Additionally, when a region is experiencing a drought, many industries are involved. Whether it’s the dry soil that causes building foundations to crack and shift or a poor yield of the food crop which can lead to less product and local businesses feeling the lack of spending, extreme drought conditions can severely affect the region’s business climate.

World Renowned Water Resources
Lake Tahoe, one of the clearest bodies of water in the world, due to its significant depth, low watershed rate and granite composition. Other resources such as the Truckee River, Pyramid Lake, Walker River and Walker Lake are extremely protected water resources in northern Nevada. Whether state or federal regulations, these water resources require extra layers of regulatory and testing requirements in marinas, ski resorts, water/sewage treatment, etc.

These unique environmental factors can seem daunting to business owners or developers, especially if they are new to the region. It’s important to properly test these environmental factors prior to building or relocating. Environmental testing companies are able to develop unique testing strategies and methods for various constituents and matrices while working closely with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and accurate testing.

About WETLAB
WETLAB was founded in 2002 in Sparks, Nevada. In 2006, they moved into a state-of-the-art building, customized for our unique environmental testing and analytical needs. This facility has continued to grow is the main testing facility for WETLAB. To meet their customer needs, they have satellite facilities in Elko and Las Vegas. Learn more at www.wetlaboratory.com.

More information. 

Jason Dukek
Water/Wasterwater Operator, Broadbent & Associates, Inc. 

Broadbent & Associates, Inc. is a full-service environmental remediation, water resource, and civil engineering firm. I have been working with WETLAB for the last 15 years, and in all that time, I have never had a situation that wasn’t resolved quickly and efficiently by their staff. They have always watched out for possible mistakes in sampling, or results that could be in direct violation of the client’s permit and notified us of the situation in a timely manner which makes my job that much easier. Their staff is always courteous and professional, and their website is easy to follow and has a lot of needed information at your fingertips.

As a water and wastewater operator, it is important to have a certified testing laboratory with multiple locations throughout the state. With as many as 40 clients throughout the state, each requires different sampling constituents. If I run across something I have never sampled before, I get a hold of our Client Services Manager and they will let me know exactly what I need to do or use to grab the sample correctly. Having a lab that will have your sample bottles ready for pickup in short notice is also very helpful.

With multiple clients, we will continue to work with WETLAB on everything water and wastewater related to keep our clients in compliance with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. We will continue to work with them as our clientele base increases over time.

 

We are pleased to announce the promotions of Andy Smith and Jennifer Delaney.

Andy has been with WETLAB since 2002 and has nearly 22 years of experience in laboratory testing. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing lab operations and testing. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Adams State University.

Jennifer has worked for WETLAB since 2007; her past roles include laboratory scientist, quality assurance (QA) specialist, and QA team lead. In her new role, she will be responsible for ensuring data is of the highest quality and meets the needs of clients. She received a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in epidemiology, both from the University of Nevada, Reno.

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Our WETLAB team remains committed to protecting the health and safety of our community. We are here to support your needs and will continue operating as we have been, with the protocols below, in order to promote responsible interaction with each other and our customers.

Sample Drop Off

As temperatures are quickly cooling off in the area, WETLAB Sparks is going to reopen our doors for indoor sample drop-offs starting on Monday, November 2. It will be moved to the side of the door and instructions will be posted.  In order to keep both clients and staff as safe and comfortable as possible, we will be following the Washoe County COVID-19 recommendations for public spaces.

Please review the following practices:

• If you choose to enter the building, a face mask must be worn at all times.
• While inside the building, please maintain a 6-foot distance from other people (staff and clients alike).
• We are requesting that clients remain in the front office.
• Please bring your own pen.

At this time, our courier schedule remains unchanged, if you would like to request a pickup, or have any questions, please contact us.

Safety Protocols

The health and safety of our clients, employees, and families remain our priority and as such, we are continuing to take precautions to do our part in minimizing exposure and reducing the spread of COVID-19. In doing so, our client services team, as well as our administrative staff, work from home. We also have protocols in place with our courier service, as well as observing advanced sanitization and cleaning procedures within our office. Effective June 26, 2020, with Governor Sisolak’s Face Coverings Directive, all visitors are required to wear a face-covering over their nose and mouth when dropping off samples. Our employees will be wearing face coverings and other forms of PPE while interacting with the public.

Facility Hours

WETLAB is open to accept samples at our facilities during the following times:

Sparks:                   8 – 6

Elko:                       10 – 4

Las Vegas:            10 – 3

WETLAB will continue to be responsive to your testing needs to ensure that regulated facilities are operating within their permits and standards to protect public health.  As we continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation throughout the world and in our own community, we will continue to be diligent in keeping you informed of any changes in our operations.  Stay safe and healthy!

At WETLAB we try to give back to our community in a variety of ways, and we try to honor and participate in causes that are near and dear to our employees hearts.  The Northern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition (NNBC) is front and center in some of our employees minds, because of their impact on the lives of infants and mothers. Below, one of our employees shares her experience with NNBC and their annual race/ fundraiser event, the Liquid Gold 5k.

The Northern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition (NNBC) is a member of the Maternal Child Health Coalition of Northern Nevada, which is a non-profit organization that supports women and children.  The NNBC aims to normalize breastfeeding and increase community awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding.  We also offer resources to moms who need support or help when they want to breastfeed.

The Northern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition (NNBC) held our 8th annual fundraiser, the Liquid Gold 5K Run/Walk on Saturday August 4th, 2018, and our 6th annual “Big Latch On!”  The Big Latch On is a worldwide event which pairs mothers and their children in breastfeeding together for one minute. These events served as our community’s kick-off to World Breastfeeding Week, and were intended to promote community awareness and gain support for normalizing breastfeeding in Northern Nevada.

The events took place on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno and were enjoyed by families, friends, vendors, and volunteers!  Volunteers participated in a volunteer training the night before the race, marked the course, and helped create posters for the race.  The day of the event volunteers were responsible for set up and cleaning up, assisting at the registration table, race guides on the course, and collecting survey information.  It was thanks to the volunteers that helped make our event a success!

If you are interested in learning more about the NNBC, please visit our website (https://nnbc.wildapricot.org/), or join us the first Tuesday of every month from 12:00pm – 1:00pm at The Children’s Cabinet located at 1090 S. Rock Blvd, Reno, NV 89502.

You can also check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nevadabreastfeeds.org/

WETLAB has been participating in Snapshot Day for over a decade!  Snapshot Day is coordinated by the Bureau of Water Quality Planning within the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP).  Snapshot Day occurs annually and is a two-day event where the Urban Truckee River portion of the watershed is sampled from the outlet at Lake Tahoe to its end at Pyramid Lake.  That’s more than 105 miles!  Snapshot Day is an event that involves the community and education outreach; volunteers from local businesses and organizations spend their time teaching students throughout the Tahoe and Truckee Basin about conservation, ecology, hydrology, environmental stewardship, and water quality.  In addition, site facilitators conduct a stream walk for habitat assessment and sample collection for field and laboratory testing.  In conjunction with NDEP, these small groups help create a larger picture of the health of the Basin and watershed.  This provides longitudinal data that helps identify possible sources of pollution or other contamination and information for community planning and development.

On Friday, May 18^th 2018, WETLAB volunteered for the 18^th Annual Snapshot Day.  Our sampling site was part of the Lower Truckee River at Whites Creek on the campus of Mountain View Montessori School.  As facilitators, we had the opportunity to teach 4^th & 5^th grade students about the importance of a healthy watershed, water quality, field testing methods, the water cycle, and environmental sustainability.  We were excited to provide a hands-on learning experience to stimulate interest and stewardship while learning about pollution, invasive species, the water cycle, and procedures for field testing.  We also emphasized the importance of observation and protection of our unique water resources.

WETLAB hosted the first annual Victory Run 5k and Family Fun Run benefitting the Veteran’s Guest House on May 6th.  With the amazing support and participation of our community, WETLAB donated over $13,000 to VGH!  Over 120 people participated in (and finished!) this great event.

We couldn’t have made this race happen without our generous sponsors.

 

Finish times can be found here, and all race photos are on our Facebook page.

Join us next year for another great event!

At WETLAB we try to give back to our community in a variety of ways, and we try to honor and participate in causes that are near and dear to our employees hearts.  The Justin Hope Foundation has been a favorite for a few years, because of their outstanding impact in the lives of our community.  Below, one of our employees shares her experience with Justin Hope and their annual race/ fundraiser event, the Spring Forward for Autism. 

For me, the end of April means a couple things:  nicer temperatures, crazy allergies, and the Spring Forward for Autism.  The last Sunday of April, for the last 3 years, has been all about getting outside and walking/running to raise money for a great cause.  The 5k event is put on by the Justin Hope Foundation, which is a local charity set up to help families of children who are not developing neurotypically (so pretty much any child with a brain developmental disorder).  This year the goal is for the organization to open a respite center, which will provide a place for these families to go for resources and advice.  My family has personally benefited from the events that this organization has put together, giving my son Zaden a chance to do activities during off-hours at fun places so the sensory input would not be too overwhelming.  Hopefully, we at WETLab can continue to support this awesome cause by planning to do the 5k next year.  Last Sunday in April (hint, hint)……

To find out more about the Spring Forward for Autism, or sign up to participate, visit their website here.

PK Electrical and WetLab sponsor Girls on the Run. Congratulations, Brookfield Bears, on finishing the 5K!  

PK Electrical and WETLAB were elated to sponsor the Brookfield Bears team in the Girls on the Run – Sierras 5K Race on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Damonte Ranch High School in Reno. We would like to congratulate all of the participants for their hard work – over 320 girls crossed the finish line in just 59 minutes! The mission of Girls on the Run – Sierras is to foster and introduce self-esteem and values through health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships, and physical training using a fun, experience-based curriculum.

As Founder, President and CEO of PK Electrical, Karen Purcell (pictured top left) understands the importance of empowering young girls and women and providing resources to encourage leadership and confidence. Ms. Purcell started PK Electrical Inc., a woman-owned electrical engineering firm, in 1996 in Reno, Nevada and has since witnessed the company grow to a dedicated team of 33 employees and expanded to add a second office in Denver, Colorado. As a professional engineer in a male-dominated industry, Karen has experienced many hurdles, both professionally and personally, and hopes to share her stories and insight to inspire the next generation of female leaders. Western Environmental Testing Laboratory (WETLAB) is also a women-owned firm specializing in the niche market of environmental testing services specific to Nevada, California, Idaho and Wyoming. Owner and President, Michelle Sherven is pictured (top right) cheering on the Bears.

The Girls on the Run – Sierras website (https://www.girlsontherunsierras.org/) gives heartwarming insight into the results this program is having on young girls. “A recent independent study provides compelling evidence that Girls on the Run is highly effective at driving transformative and lasting change in the lives of third to fifth grade girls. The program’s intentional curriculum places an emphasis on developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities. Throughout the course of the ten-week program, girls learn critical life skills including managing emotions, resolving conflict, helping others and making intentional decisions. It is the combination of the research-based curriculum, trained coaches and a commitment to serve all girls that sets Girls on the Run apart from other after-school programs.”

WETLAB is thrilled to share this write-up from PK Electrical about our co-sponsorship of our Girls on the Run team.  Girls on the Run is a valuable community organization, and we are happy to help them further their goals.

Snapshot Day has become an annual WETLAB tradition.  We love getting out into nature and helping to inspire the next generation of scientists!  Jen Delany, one of our regular leaders for Snapshot Day, wrote the overview below. 

On Friday May 12^th 2017, WETLAB volunteered for Snapshot Day, which is coordinated by the Bureau of Water Quality Planning (NDEP). Snapshot Day occurs annually and is a one-day event where the Urban Truckee River portion of the watershed is sampled from the outlet at Lake Tahoe to its end at Pyramid Lake. That’s a total of 105 miles! Snapshot Day is an event that includes the community and education outreach; different businesses and organizations volunteer their time to teach students throughout the Washoe basin about conservation, environmental stewardship, and water quality.   In conjunction with NDEP, these small groups help create a larger picture to determine the health of our watershed over time and identify possible sources of pollution or other contamination. In addition, site facilitators conduct a stream walk for habitat assessment and sample collection for field and laboratory testing.

WETLAB’s sampling site along the Truckee River this year was Whites Creek on the Mountain View Montessori School campus. As facilitators, we had the opportunity to teach the 4^th & 5^th grade students about the importance of a healthy watershed, water quality, field testing methods, the water cycle and environmental sustainability. We had a unique opportunity this year to educate the students about the Atmospheric River and how the allocation of water is managed within our state. Students were engaged and incredibly helpful.

WETLAB staff enjoyed providing a hands-on learning experience to stimulate interest and stewardship. We hope to continue volunteering for this event year after year!