DIVISION OF CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY SERVICES, Request for Comments on Revision to Fees for Drinking Water Laboratory Certification (1VAC30-41-270), Effective May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027

Purpose of notice and background information:  The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) is seeking comments on the revision to fees charged for certifying drinking water laboratories under 1VAC30-41-270.

1VAC30-41-270 I 2 requires DCLS to increase or decrease annually the fees charged for certifying drinking water laboratories using the Consumer Price Index-Urban percentage change, average-average for the previous calendar year published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in January.  The percentage change, average-average for 2025 is an additional 2.6 percent.  See the table labeled “Historical Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, all items, index averages” at https://www.bls.gov/cpi/tables/supplemental-files/historical-cpi-u-202512.xlsx.  The percentage change, average-average data can be found in the Index Averages tab.  The revised fees are exempt from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.  The Budget of the Commonwealth of Virginia (Chapter 725, effective July 1, 2025) in Part I, Item 68, at C 3 requires DCLS to provide notice and an opportunity to submit written comments on the revised fees.

The notice of fees for May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027, will be published on the DCLS drinking water laboratory certification webpage after consideration of submitted comments. 

Public comment period: February 9 - March 11, 2026

How to comment:  DCLS accepts written comments by email, fax, and postal mail.  To be considered, comments must include the full name, address, and telephone number of the person commenting and must be received by DCLS by the last day of the comment period.  All materials received are part of the public record.  Email comments should be sent to kimberly.freiberger@dgs.virginia.gov. The number for faxed comments is (804) 371-8305.  Written comments should be sent to Kimberly Freiberger, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of General Services, Attn: DCLS DW Fee Comments, 1100 Bank Street, Suite 420, Richmond, VA, 23219.  Agency contact:  Kimberly Freiberger | (804) 972-4973.

NOTICE OF FEES FOR MAY 1, 2026 – APRIL 30, 2027

DCLS requests comments on the revised fees in the notice below.

HOW FEES ARE CALCULATED

DCLS calculates a laboratory's total fee by adding the fees for the number of test methods in each category in the fee table for which the laboratory is certified or applies to be certified.  Contact Lab_Cert@dgs.virginia.gov for more information about the fee category for a specific method.

ADDITIONAL FEES

Additional fees apply when a laboratory:

• Applies for modification of certification under 1VAC30-41-110
• Relocates and requires an on-site DCLS assessment
• Requests certification reinstatement requiring an on-site DCLS assessment

Hourly review fee and calculation of total fee.  The fee to be charged is the sum of the total hourly charges for all reviewers plus any onsite assessment costs incurred.  The hourly charge per reviewer is $84. The charge per reviewer is determined by multiplying the number of hours expended in the review by $84.

On-site review and travel expenses.  If an on-site review is required, travel time and on-site review time will be charged at the same hourly rate of $84, and any travel expenses will be added.

WHEN TO PAY

Payment is due when the initial application is processed or annually thereafter upon receipt of the invoice from DCLS.  Annual billing precedes the expiration of the current certificate.

HOW TO PAY

Fees may be paid by check or with a credit card via an electronic payment portal provided by DCLS, or other payment arrangements may be made by contacting Lab_Cert@dgs.virginia.gov.  All payments are made after an invoice is issued by DCLS, in accordance with instructions on the invoice or in accordance with special arrangements made by contacting DCLS. 

Contact Information:  Kimberly Freiberger, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of General Services, Attn: DCLS DW Fee, 1100 Bank Street, Suite 420, Richmond, VA, 23219 | (804) 972-4973.