News Board
SPL Acquires North Water District Laboratory Service (NWDLS)
Acquisition adds full-service water, wastewater, and specialty toxicology testing to SPL's growing Texas presence
Houston,TX — May 7, 2026 — SPL, a national laboratory and measurement services company, announced the acquisition of North Water District Laboratory Service, Inc. (NWDLS), headquartered in Houston, Texas. The acquisition strengthens SPL’s Environmental Labs division and expands the company’s capacity to serve clients across the greater Houston market and throughout Texas.
NWDLS is a 57,000-square-foot full-service environmental laboratory located at 130 S. Trade Center Pkwy., Conroe, TX 77385. They provide a comprehensive range of analytical testing services including water, wastewater, soils, solids, and sediment analysis. The laboratory also offers specialty toxicology services, including a full suite of acute and chronic whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing and effluent biomonitoring, capabilities that significantly enhance SPL’s environmental lab network.
“This acquisition is a strategic step forward for SPL’s environmental division and for the clients we serve across Texas,” said Colin Duncan, CEO of SPL. “NWDLS brings deep technical expertise and a strong local footprint in the Houston market. Their whole effluent toxicity testing capabilities, in particular, are a meaningful addition to our national service offering, and reflect our continued commitment to delivering defensible data across every discipline we serve.”
NWDLS CEO and Managing Partner Monica Martin, who will continue in a leadership role following the transition, expressed enthusiasm for what the acquisition means for clients and staff alike. “This partnership brings an incredible amount of opportunity for our clients, our employees, and the future of our company, including expanded capabilities, additional resources, and more locations across Texas from day one.”
Rich Stump III, Senior Vice President of Environmental Labs at SPL, added: “The Houston area is one of the most active environmental testing markets in the country, and NWDLS has built a strong organization here over many years. Bringing their team and capabilities into the SPL network allows us to better support clients in the region with a broader scope of services, greater resources, and the consistency they expect from a nationally accredited laboratory.”
The acquisition of NWDLS is effective immediately. Existing NWDLS clients will experience no disruption to services and will benefit from seamless access to SPL’s full national laboratory network, expanded analytical capabilities, and 30+ locations across the United States.
About SPL
NWDLS is very excited to announce its acquisition of the ATKINS Toxicology Laboratory!
We are very pleased to announce that, effective May 27, 2016, the Atkins Toxicology Laboratory merged with North Water District Laboratory Services, Inc. Moving forward, the combined companies will conduct business together under the name North Water District Laboratory Services, Inc. (NWDLS), with both laboratories remaining at their existing locations.
This is a merger of two innovative and professional companies with a history of successfully working together for over thirty years. Both companies hold similar values and business philosophies, with a goal of providing accurate and timely results for our customers. Though we will now operate as one company – NWDLS – you can still rely on the same personal working relationships that you have had in the past. You will still be dealing with the same people and can depend on the same high quality service.
We understand that this merger represents a change in name; however, we want to assure you that our services will not be negatively affected in any way, but rather, will only grow stronger through this merger. We are committed to continue working hard and want to thank you for your loyalty and support. We are confident that this merger will position us to serve you even better.
NWDLS can now perform Low Level Mercury Analysis
EPA 1631E provides measurement of mercury at previously unachievable, ultra-trace levels in water matrices, in support of state NPDES permits. Mercury is analyzed using Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry. Ultra-clean sampling techniques (EPA 1669) along with laboratory analysis under clean room conditions are used to ensure the lowest achievable detection limits and to avoid common causes of sample contamination.
Lead and Copper Rule
Lead and copper enter drinking water primarily through plumbing materials. Exposure to lead and copper may cause health problems ranging from stomach distress to brain damage. On June 7, 1991, EPA published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. This regulation is known as the Lead and Copper Rule (also referred to as the LCR or 1991 Rule). NWDLS proudly offers testing of lead and copper in drinking water by EPA 200.8.
Organo-Phosphorus Pesticides by EPA 1657
The determination of Organo-Phosphorus Pesticides in municipal and industrial wastewater is determined in-house at NWDLS utilizing EPA 1657 which satisfies TCEQ Permit Renewal requirements.