Eric Medlock, Chief of the Monitoring Section in the Public Drinking Water Branch, has been selected as the Division of Environmental Quality Team Member of the Month for May 2025.

Eric’s team is responsible for overseeing the monitoring of 2,800 public water systems for 91 regulated contaminants. He was selected for this award for his willingness to step in where needed to coordinate efforts in and outside of the Public Drinking Water Branch. He is the department’s main point of contact for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and he oversees the team implementing the new Lead and Copper Rule requirements. “Eric is always willing to help where needed and will often take on the difficult tasks such as attending and speaking at public meetings to help ensure the public and the system decision makers understand the department’s requirements and the results of the department’s monitoring efforts,” said David Lamb, the Branch Chief who nominated Eric for this award.

As an example of Eric’s efffective customer service, he recently worked with an unhappy public water system that had received a Notice of Violation from EPA. Eric attended a district board meeting on behalf of the department in an effort to get the system’s issues sorted out. He was able to convince the district’s board to change their stance that they would not comply with rule requirements, turning what could have been a hostile situation into a positive outcome. Eric’s involvement helped bring a system into compliance with safe drinking water requirements through compliance assistance rather than enforcement action. David Lamb goes on to say, “Eric does a great job of representing the department in all of his interactions with regulated entities and the public. He provides excellent customer service and always looks to help systems identify ways to solve their problems.”

Thank you for being a great representative for the department Eric. Congratulations on winning this award!