How to Sample Water
Materials Needed
- Bottles in our kits.
- Ice pack (please freeze before shipping to lab)
- A light solution of bleach or alcohol
Procedures for Sampling Water
- Wash your hands.
- Label sample container with sample name, water source, date, and time of collection.
- Go to the sampling location
- Sterilize the faucet with a light concentration of bleach or alcohol.
- Turn the faucet on. Let the water run for at least a minute.
- Open the sample container. DO NOT place fingers on the container lip OR inside the container.
- Place sample container into running water and collect the water. DO NOT OVERFILL.
- Place in back in box with an ice pack.
- Deliver to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.
DO's
- Wash your hands with soap.
- Find a clean water source free of dirt, bugs and food particles.
- Sterilize the water faucet with a light concentration of bleach or alcohol.
DONT's
Contamination of the sample is a major concern.
- Do not collect from the kitchen or bathroom sink UNLESS the faucet has been sterilized with bleach or alcohol. Kitchen and bathroom sinks are a source of bacteria that can cause a false positive.
- Do not collect from a water hose.
- Do not ship Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.