饮用水实验室认证计划自1943年开始实施，并于1978年由美国环境保护局（USEPA）根据《安全饮用水法案》（SDWA）授权的饮用水项目采用。美国环境保护局和各州都在寻找办法，在资源不断减少的情况下，使该项目更有效率。最近关于认证计划的讨论包括了主要的新方法。随着SDWA即将重新授权，以及认证社区不断变化的需求，该计划可能会进行重大修改。 包括21个参考文献，表1。

The Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program has been in existence since 1943 and was adopted by the Drinking Water Program in 1978 under the authority given the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Both USEPA and the states are looking for ways to make the program efficient in the face of dwindling resources. Recent discussions concerning the certification program have included major new approaches. With impending reauthorization of the SDWA and the changing needs of the certification community, the program could be significantly modified. Includes 21 references, table.