The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has announced the selection of Eric Medlock as the department's Team Member of the Month for September 2025. Medlock, who serves as a section chief within the Division of Environmental Quality, earned this distinction thanks to his efforts in coordinating department initiatives concerning a group of chemicals referred to as PFAS and for aiding in the implementation of updated Lead and Copper Rule requirements. According to a recent announcement from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, his dedicated work within the Water Protection Program's public drinking water branch involves monitoring a vast network of 2,800 public water systems for 91 regulated contaminants.
As the team led by Medlock has to adapt to new regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency targeting PFAS and the removal of lead water service lines, the challenge presented is not a small one. PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are durable chemicals used extensively across various industries. Medlock's commitment has seen him not just oversee the sampling of public water systems but also developing a mapping tool that helps the public access PFAS-related information easily.
In recognition of his service, Eric Medlock was nominated by David Lamb, the chief of the public drinking water branch. Lamb cited Medlock's leadership and dedication to customer service as key reasons for the nomination. "Eric is a great leader and a valued member of the public drinking water branch team," Lamb explained. "He provides excellent customer service and does a great job representing the department in all of his interactions with regulated entities and the public." Medlock's efforts extend beyond the desk, seeing him representing the department at public meetings to present monitoring results and clarify rule requirements. In these meetings, he often plays a pivotal role in assisting public water systems in meeting safe drinking water standards, as per the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Since joining the Missouri Department of Natural Resources back in February 2010, Medlock, who lives in Osage Beach, has been a proactive force in environmental management. His work towards developing resources for public water systems to comply with the new Lead and Copper Rule requirements hasn't gone unnoticed by his colleagues. For those invested in the discourse of public health and safety, Medlock's contributions have arguably been significant to ensuring that Missourians have access to safer drinking water. His personal involvement in compliance assistance is often responsible for helping public water systems, often navigating complex regulatory requirements, to ensure the provision of safe drinking water.
