Sampling Guidelines
for Residential Drinking
Water Samples
1. Choose your sampling location. If the sample is
being drawn from an inside faucet, check to see if there is an aerator
or screen on the faucet. Remove the aerator or screen from the faucet.
2. At the chosen sampling location (i.e., spigot, faucet) clean
the location with a bleach solution.
3. Turn the faucet on with full steady flow of water and let it
run for approximately 1-2 minutes.
4. After the faucet has run for approximately 1-2 minute, reduce
the flow to a small steady stream. Do not turn the faucet all the
way off.
5. NOTE: The bacteria container provided from the laboratory is
a sterile container with a seal. The container also contains a preservative-
a white powder or tablet. Place the sample container under the stream
of water. Be careful not to touch the inside or edges of the container
or place the cap on the ground, as the sample container is a sterile
container.
6. Fill the sample container to the fill line that is indicated
on the container, and then immediately cap the container.
7. For the 2 large containers, fill container to the neck of the
bottle.
8. After sampling, keep samples cool. Fill out the highlighted
areas of the enclosed Chain of Custody. This include your name,
address and telephone number, sample identification name (i.e. what
you want to call the sample), and date and time sampled. Your analysis
request will be indicated on the enclosed Chain of Custody. Relinquish
the samples to the laboratory by signing the “Relinquished
By” box, including the date and time.
9. Submit samples to the laboratory for analysis. The samples need
to be returned to the laboratory with shipping materials and packaging
provided, and need to be received by the laboratory within 24 hrs
of collection. Please make return shipping arrangements by guaranteed
overnight carrier.
The laboratory is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5 pm. We do
not accept bacteria samples on Friday. Please arrange your sample
delivery appropriately.
*These guidelines have been provided to assist you in your sampling.
Please consult the EPA or your state agency for specific sampling
instructions.
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