Dumo, Sittie Sara K.

2/13/14

Water sample collection
Potable water
If the water sample is to be taken from
a distribution system tap without attachments,
select a tap that is supplying water from
a service pipe directly connected with the
main, and is not, for example served from a cistern or storage tank.

Disinfect the tap with an alcohol wipe.

Open tap fully and let water run to waste for
at least 3 minutes or for a time sufficient
enough to permit flushing of the entire service line whichever is longer.

Slowly fill the container to the line as
indicated on the container. Do not let the
container overflow if sodium thiosulfate is used.

Nonpotable water
Samples shall be representative of the
water that is the source of supply to consumers. It is undesirable to take samples
too near the bank or too far from the point of drain off, or at depth above
or below the point of drain off.

Grasp a bottle by its base and plunge into the water source with the neck facing
down.

Turn the bottle until the neck is pointing slightly upward and the mouth is directed
toward current (if any) and allow bottle to fill.After filling, remove bottle from water
with the neck pointing up, there should be no air gap.

Tightly cap the bottle.





Sample container
Rigid CLEAR Plastic screw-cap bottles with 100 mL mark for potable water
samples only. These bottles are sterile and contain sodium thiosulfate powder
which is sufficient to dechlorinate 125 mL of water containing 10 mg/liter (or 10
PPM) of chlorine. Each bottle is pre-numbered on the lid. Bottles MUST contain
at least 100 mL or the specimen will be unsatisfactory for testing.

Rigid, sterile, OPAQUE plastic screw cap bottles for samples such as salt
water, streams, lakes, sewage, seepage, and other non-potable waters. These
bottles contain 30 mg of sodium thiosulfate which is sufficient to dechlorinate 125
mL of water containing 45 mg/liter (or 45 PPM) of chlorine. Each bottle is pre-
numbered with a number on the side.

Purpose of Dechlorinating Agent
Water containing residual chlorine disinfectant should be sampled in a bottle
containing dechlorinating agent (sodium thiosulfate). Sodium thiosulfate
neutralizes the chlorine, thus preventing further bactericidal effects on organisms
in the water during transit. (ie. results of analysis will be representative of sample
at time of sampling.)

Dechlorinating Agent (name and concentration )
Sodium thiosulphate pills are available commercially and can be used in place
of the solution. Add 0.2mL of a 3% solution of sodium thiosulphate, Na2S2O3,
per 200mL sample.





Transport Sample
1. For potable samples, place the bottle in a mailer. Mailers have space for one plastic
container. Screw lid on mailer. Wrap lab form around mailer and secure with a rubber
band.

2. For non-potable samples, keep lab forms in a clean dry place - not in ice chest.

3. Place all samples and mailers with samples into an ice chest with ice packs.

4. Send specimens to the lab via department courier or deliver directly to the lab office.
Always keep specimens refrigerated. If you are using the courier to deliver your
specimens, it is your responsibility to make sure the specimens will be received by the
laboratory within the time limits listed below. Maximum allowable transit times for
specimens (time of collection to time received by the lab) are as follows:
a. Potable water samples - less than 24 hours

b. Surface and waste waters - less than 6 hours

Specimens received in the lab after these maximum times will be reported as
"Unsatisfactory:
Sample received >24 hours (or 6 hours) after collection.

Reference:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/tmdl/records/region_9/2006/ref2
714.pdf