How to Take Water Sample For Testing? 

When you need to take water samples for testing, you should follow the directions and precautions provided by the lab. These will ensure accurate results. If you’re not sure what to do, call the lab for advice. They will also provide you with the forms you need to fill out and submit the sample. 

(Searching in Google “water conditioning near me“? Contact us today!)

To avoid false positives, collect a sample from a clean area. Avoid sampling from areas that are dirty or where you have been exposed to high winds or rainfall. If you can, take your samples in the morning. This will ensure that the water is as cold as possible when it is transported to the lab. 

The sample must be in a container that is sealed to prevent contamination. If you need to ship the sample, make sure that the box has a teflon-coated lid to avoid any false-positive results. You should also include the temperature of the sample and a note on the location of the source. You should never leave the sample in an open bottle for more than a few hours. This could cause the sample to become cloudy. 

It’s important to avoid using any treatment devices or filters on the water, like carbon filters or sediment filters. These may contain bacteria. Alternatively, you can use rubbing alcohol to sanitize the nozzle of the faucet. This will prevent the water from being contaminated by bacteria. 

If you are taking a sample for a bacteriological analysis, the water should be collected from a pre-approved site. For example, you should not take a sample at your house or at a private well. This is because the samples can be contaminated by air exposure. You can request guidance from the lab to ensure that you collect the sample from a safe and approved area. 

When taking a sample for a dissolved metals analysis, the water should be filtered or drained before collection. You should also run the water for several minutes to clear any stagnant areas. When you are ready to send the sample to the lab, it should be in a closed container and placed on ice. If you have a water-based ice pack, be sure that it is free of gel or ice cubes. If it is not, repackage it in a sanitized container. 

To protect the sample, you should use a dark glass bottle. This will prevent the sample from being affected by sunlight and degradation. It will also prevent any spotting from being transferred to the sample bottle. It will also help to have a sample kit on hand to keep your samples in good shape. This kit should have the necessary equipment for running onsite tests, such as a micrometer, a liquid reagent, a syringe, and other supplies. You should also include a standard solution to calibrate your equipment. 

When you have collected the sample, it should be stored in the refrigerator. The sample should be sent to the laboratory within 48 hours. You should also be prepared to send the sample by overnight delivery.