The Environmental Resources Department Laboratory performs over 14,000 wastewater analyses each year.  All sampling and analysis, including the handling and preservation of collected samples, follow the strict guidelines put forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.  The laboratory samples and tests wastewater entering the plant at various locations throughout the treatment plant, and the water discharged from the plant.  The lab also samples and tests streams from industrial discharges.  All proper QA/QC procedures are maintained and followed to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.  The Grand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant is a major permittee under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program that is required to participate in the annual Discharge Monitoring Report–Quality Assurance (DMR-QA) study program. DMR-QA evaluates the analytical ability of the laboratories that perform self-monitoring analyses required by their NPDES permit.  The Environmental Resources Department issues pretreatment permits for industrial dischargers in town, and performs testing on such dischargers to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.