PITTSBURGH — Special Pathogens Laboratory has announced that Kevin E. Merritt, MSE, has joined the firm to expand its 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 to 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,” said 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 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,” said Dr. Janet E. Stout, president and director. “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.”
Recognized as clinical and environmental experts in Legionnaires’ disease, Special Pathogens Laboratory 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, health care, and hospitality. The laboratory is A2LA and NELAP accredited.
For more information, visit www.specialpathogenslab.com.
Publication date: 10/24/2016
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