Sampling Guides

Proper sample collection and handling is important to obtaining accurate and reliable results.  Labels on all containers should be filled out along with a completed Chain of Custody form.  If samples cannot be returned to the lab within one hour of collection, they should be refrigerated and transported on ice.  It is best to submit samples to the lab as soon as possible to ensure proper temperatures and hold times can be met.

Bacteria Samples

Bacteria samples must be collected in sterile containers.  These are available at the lab.  Be sure when handling the sample that you do not touch or otherwise contaminate the inside of the container or the lid.

1. The best place to take the sample is from an outside hose bib.  Remove the hose.  If you must collect the sample inside, be sure to remove the aerator and screen from the faucet.  Do not sample from a faucet that is leaking around the handle.
2. If possible, sterilize the faucet with some household bleach and then allow the water to run for 2-3 minutes.
3. Carefully fill the sample container to the 100 mL line.  Be careful not to contaminate the sample.
4. Cap the container and fill out the label.
5. A completed Chain of Custody must accompany your samples.
6. Return the sample to the laboratory.  Raw water samples must be submitted to the lab within 8 hours of collection.  Treated water must be submitted within 30 hours.  It is best to submit the sample to the lab as soon as possible.  Keep the sample cool; the best way to transport it is in a small cooler with ice or blue ice.  If the sample cannot be returned within one hour of collection, it needs to be kept at a temperature below 6 °C.  To achieve this, refrigerate the sample and then transport in a small cooler with ice or blue ice.

Analysis Panels

MBAS offers several testing packages for various water testing needs.  These panels include the Irrigation Suitability Panel, the Domestic Suitability Panel, the General Water Quality Panel, the Title 22 panel, the Storm Drain Panel and the R.O./Softener Panel.  Each of these panels requires a specific set of bottles and kits are available at the laboratory. Important to note:

• Each site that you wish to test requires an entire kit.  Fill all of the bottles of a kit for one site.

For Example:the Domestic Suitability Panel requires 2 containers per site, one larger bottle (1 L plastic) and one smaller bottle (125 mL plastic).Therefore if you wish to test two separate sites, you would have 1 large and 1 small bottle for the first site and 1 large and 1 small bottle for the second site.

• Clearly label all bottles and clearly identify each site you wish to test.
• A completed Chain of Custody must accompany your samples.
• Return the samples to the laboratory as soon as possible to avoid hold time violations.  If samples cannot be returned within one hour of collection, refrigerate the samples and transport them on ice.

Please contact the lab with any questions regarding collection and handling of analysis panels.

Volatile Organic Chemicals

Samples collected for Volatile Organic Chemical (VOC) analysis need to be collected in pre-cleaned, pre-preserved 40 mL vials that are available at the laboratory.  These vials contain hydrochloric acid (HCl) and therefore should be handled with caution.  Take care not to touch or otherwise contaminate the inside of the vials or lids.

1. Select a tap as close to the well as possible.  When you have found a suitable faucet, allow the water to flow for 15 minutes before collecting the sample.
2. Carefully fill the three vials to the rim and immediately replace the cap.  Important: make sure that there are no air bubbles in the vials.  If necessary, remove the cap and carefully add more water to eliminate all air and then quickly replace the cap.
3. Fill out the label.
4. A completed Chain of Custody must accompany your samples.
5. Return the samples to the laboratory.  Samples should be refrigerated and transported on ice if they cannot be returned to the lab within one hour.

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