Fapas® – Drinking Water Microbiology Fera Science Ltd (Fera)

Distribution DWM011 National Agri-Food Innovation Campus

Sand Hutton
14 March 2017 York
YO41 1LZ

Safety information: Tel: +44 (0)1904 462100

Fax: +44 (0)1904 500440
For details on safe handling of Fapas® – Drinking Water info@fapas.com
Microbiology samples please download the safety data www.fapas.com
sheet from the relevant links at:
fapas.com/useful-information/Technical-Documents.cfm
Test Materials dispatched:
One or more test materials from the list below, as appropriate to your order:
Test Material A: DWM0111, Total Coliforms AND Escherichia coli
Test Material B: DWM0211, Colony Counts after 3 days at 22°C AND
Colony Counts after 2 days at 37°C
Test Material C: DWM0311, Enterococci, Clostridium perfringens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Test Material D: DWM0404, Organism Identification
PLEASE NOTE:
Each test material comprises a small glass vial, sealed with a rubber bung and crimp-capped,
containing an inoculum pellet.
The test materials were dispatched with ice blocks to keep them chilled in transit. Even if they are
no longer cold upon receipt they will still be acceptable for analysis.
Instructions:
1) Keep the small glass vial(s) at +4°C ±2°C until analysis.
2) Before starting the analysis of each test material you MUST prepare the sample as specified in
the instructions given below. Fapas® cannot be held responsible for any failure arising from
incorrect sample preparation.
3) After following the sample preparation instructions given below, treat each test sample as if it
was a sample for routine analysis, i.e. use your usual method.
4) Start the analysis between 14 March and 23 March 2017.
5) For proficiency tests DWM0111 (Test Material A), DWM0311 (Test Material C):
Results for Total Coliforms AND Escherichia coli and Enterococci, Clostridium perfringens and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa must be reported in cfu/100ml.
6) For proficiency test DWM0211 (Test Material B):
Results for Colony Counts must be reported in cfu/ml.
7) For proficiency test DWM0404 (Test Material D):
Report the identity the organism in full, i.e. to species level but if your routine method does
not give this level of detail then report the identity to the genus level.
8) Instructions on how to enter your results and methods via the secure web page can be
downloaded from the relevant link at: fapas.com/useful-information/Technical-
Documents.cfm. Please ensure you submit your data no later than:
closing date 05 April 2017

PT Dispatch Letter - Page 1 of 2

You are reminded that the ability to report results in the specified units and within the given time
scale are part of the proficiency test. Please make sure that you complete your method information
in English.
Please note that collusion between participants is contrary to professional scientific conduct and, as
indicated in our Protocols (available at: fapas.com/useful-information/Technical-Documents.cfm), is
strongly discouraged.
In April 2017 a statistical report on the performance of participating laboratories will be published
on our secure web site. This report will be confidential and will reveal only the number assigned to
your laboratory. It will not list the identities of participants.
If you have any problems please contact Fapas® immediately, email: info@fapas.com or
tel: +44 (0)1904 462100.

Emma Hutton (Proficiency Test Co-ordinator)

On behalf of Fapas®

PT Dispatch Letter - Page 2 of 2

 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF DRINKING WATER MICROBIOLOGY
TEST MATERIALS A, B, C and D
It is essential that Test Materials A, B, C and D are prepared in accordance with these instructions.
Fapas® cannot be held responsible for any failure arising from incorrect sample preparation.
Reconstitution / Rehydration for All Test Materials:
1) Treat each test material separately. Do NOT combine the test materials.
2) For Test Material C (DWM0311, Enterococci, Clostridium perfringens and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa) do NOT acid or heat treat.
3) Start the preparation and analyses between 14 March and 23 March 2017.
4) Carefully remove the crimp cap and discard it.
5) Aseptically remove the rubber bung and discard it.
6) Reconstitute each of the test materials by adding 1 ml of sterile deionised/distilled water to
the glass vial.
7) Allow a recovery period of 2 minutes.
8) During this recovery period gently pipette and flush the sides of the glass vial with the
contents to ensure complete dissolution of the pellet.
9) Dilute the resulting suspension to a final volume of 1000 ml ± 20 ml using your own sterile
deionised / distilled water.
10) Rinse the glass vial 2-3 times during this process using your sterile deionised / distilled water
to ensure that all of the inoculum is added to the final 1000 ml ± 20 ml volume.
11) Gently mix the prepared sample by inversion.
Analysis:
Test Material A (DWM0111, Total Coliforms AND Escherichia coli)
Analyse using your routine method for:
a. Total Coliforms, report the result in cfu/100ml.
b. Escherichia coli, report the result in cfu/100ml.
Test Material B (DWM0211, Colony Counts 3 days at 22oC and 2 days at 37oC)
Analyse using your routine method for:
a. Colony Counts after 3 days at 22oC, report the result in cfu/ml.
b. Colony Counts after 2 days at 37oC, report the result in cfu/ml.
Test Material C (DWM0311, Enterococci, Clostridium perfringens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa)
Do NOT acid or heat treat. Analyse using your routine method for:
a. Enterococci, report the result in cfu/100ml.
b. Clostridium perfringens, report the result in cfu/100ml
c. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, report the result in cfu/100ml.
Test Material D (DWM0404, Organism Identification)
No further dilutions are necessary, i.e. the 1 ml reconstituted / rehydrated sample is ready to use.
a. Report the identity the organism in full, i.e. to species level but if your routine
method does not give this level of detail then report the identity to the genus level

Preparation Instructions – Page 1 of 1