Legionella Firm, Special Pathogens Laboratory, Hires Director to Expand Environmental Engineering Consulting Services to Prevent Disease through Safer Water
Pittsburgh, Pa (PRWEB) October 10, 2016 -- Special Pathogens Laboratory, The Legionella Experts® (http://www.specialpathogenslab.com), announced that Kevin E. Merritt, MSE, has joined the firm to expand Legionella consulting services as director of SPL Consulting Services. An environmental engineer, Merritt is experienced in project management, team leadership, and water management programs with a specialization in permitting and compliance for the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and Legionella control in premise plumbing.
He comes to Special Pathogens Laboratory from the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. There he successfully developed and managed the potable water program to include permitting and compliance with state and federal SDWA regulations. As a contract officer’s representative and project manager, he oversaw a multi-million-dollar project to implement continuous, remote monitoring of the VA public water supply’s water quality 24-hours a day seven days a week. Merritt also administered VA directive 1061 regarding Legionella control, which included implementing testing protocols and engineering controls as well as planning and supervising corrective actions.
Prior his tenure at the VA, Merritt served as a senior environmental engineer for Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corp (Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program) where he was a facility critical system program manager for the low level radioactive legacy groundwater treatment facility.
“I'm passionate about water in general and water safety in particular,” says Merritt, a decorated aviator who served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves (11 year’s active duty service) and retired after 22 years of dedicated service. “I am excited to share my engineering and managerial experience to promote best practices that can prevent disease from waterborne pathogens and provide safe water, a right everyone should have.”
“We’re thrilled that Kevin has joined Special Pathogens Laboratory,” says President and Director Dr. Janet E. Stout (http://www.specialpathogenslab.com/janet-e-stout-phd.php). “With the passage of the first Legionella standard (ASHRAE 188), New York regulations and other guidance documents there is an immediate demand for compliance and water management programs. With his military service, engineering and Legionella experience, Kevin is uniquely qualified to grow our consulting team, provide innovative engineering solutions, and ensure our commitment to excellence.”
A member of the American Water Works Association and the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Merritt received his Master of Science degree in Engineering from Youngstown State University graduating with honors. The recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, he studied the effects of climate warming on glaciers as part of Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS), a project designed to monitor the world's glaciers from optical satellite instruments.
Special Pathogens Laboratory®
Special Pathogens Laboratory, The Legionella Experts®, sets the industry standard for detection, control, and remediation of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in building water systems. Internationally recognized as clinical and environmental experts in Legionnaires’ disease, SPL provides an integrated platform of evidence-based solutions: Legionella and waterborne pathogens testing; consulting and education; and ZEROutbreak protection to all sectors, especially water treatment, healthcare and hospitality. The laboratory is A2LA and NELAP accredited, and participates in both CDC-ELITE and PHA Legionella proficiency programs.
Janet Horsch, VP Marketing and Communications, Special Pathogens Laboratory, http://www.specialpathogenslab.com, +1 (412) 281-5335, [email protected]
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