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Water Sampling Instructions Read Carefully and Completely Before Starting
GENERAL PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION Relevant to your request for water analysis, laboratory personnel have prepared and shipped to you the appropriate sample containers. These bottles, vials and/or Whirl-Packs contain the correct preservatives. DO NOT RINSE THESE BOTTLES PRIOR TO FILLING. Depending on the parameters to be determined, the number of bottles supplied will vary. If more than one source is to be sampled, relevant to your request, it will be necessary to separate the bottles into sets. The label on each bottle will identify the set and the preservative (eg. Set No. 1, Plain; Set No. 1, HNO3; Set No. 1, H2SO4; Set No. 2, Plain; etc.) Samples must be representative of the discharge stream, monitoring well or the potable water distribution system. For potable water, the tap used for sampling MUST NOT be a mixing valve and must be clean and free of aerators, strainers, hose attachments and purification devices. You must be able to regulate the flow at the sampling tap. A steady flow of water should be maintained for 3 - 5 minutes prior to sampling. Collect the samples as per the instructions on the following pages. DO NOT remove the cap from more than one bottle at a time. After filling that bottle, recap it before proceeding to the next bottle in the set, NOTE: Water samples for lead and copper testing have specific sampling requirements, which take precedence over this general requirement. After filling the bottles, cap tightly, and with a pen containing permanent ink fill out the requested information on the bottle label and the Water Analysis Request and Collection Report. Retain a copy of the water analysis request and collection report for your records and return the original and the samples to the laboratory for analysis. We recommend all paper work sent with the samples be placed in a ZIP LOCK storage bag. This will protect reports, letters, checks, etc. from water if a sample container should leak in transit. In order to conform to EPA. sampling practices the collected samples should be returned to the laboratory in the same cooler in which the bottles were shipped to you. Note: Before shipping the samples to the lab, it will be necessary to freeze the ice packs which were shipped with your sample bottles. Samples should be collected and shipped early in the week, no later than Wednesday. You will need to evaluate the method of transportation in light of the analyses requested. For example, water requiring a total coliform determination must be received by the laboratory within 30 hours of collection, therefore you will have to coordinate collection with the mode and class of transportation. Because the data generated relative to the analysis of your samples may be used to fulfill EPA monitoring requirements, these procedures must be followed. Failure to follow recommended procedures will cause the laboratory to reject your samples for analysis. We strongly recommend the collection report, any other documents and checks be placed in a zip-lock bag before placing them in the shipping container. Drinking water samples collected for bacteriological (total coliform) analysis MUST be collected in sterile containers using aseptic techniques. We recommend the use of sterile whirl-paks for bacteriology samples. Other containers may be used but they must be thoroughly cleaned and both the container and lid must be boiled for at least 20 minutes prior to filling with the sample water. We also recommend that you thoroughly clean and rinse the faucet, the sink, your hands and the area adjacent to the sampling tap prior to sample collection. Remember, you must remove the aerator from the sampling tap before sample collection. If the source is chlorinated a whirl-pak containing thiosulfate should be used; if not chlorinated, a plain whirl-pak should be used. In either case the bags are sterile. Tear the top of the bag off at the perforations and fill 3/4 full (a minimum of 100 milliliters). Pull outward on the ears of the bag and while holding firmly spin the bag around the top at least 3 times, bend the ears back and twist them together to hold the top in place, package carefully and ship back to the laboratory for analysis. NOTE: It is important to have some air in the bag between the top of the water and the top of the sealed whirl-pak. Drinking water supplies should be received by the laboratory within 30 hours of collection, and need not be refrigerated. Discharge or sewage samples must be refrigerated after collection and must to be received by the laboratory within 6 hours of collection. We strongly recommend, you collect and ship samples on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. You may hand deliver samples to the lab Monday through Friday. We appreciate it if bacteriology samples arrive before 3:00 in the afternoon. Remove the caps from the bottles, one at a time, fill, recap, fill out the label, cool to 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) as soon after collection as possible, and return the samples to the laboratory for analysis using the methods outlined in General Procedures and Information. PESTICIDE AND HERBICIDE RESIDUE SAMPLES We do not supply the jars for these analyses as they must be glass. We suggest 1 quart Ball or Mason jars. Wash the jars 3 or 4 times in hot soap and water and rinse thoroughly 4 or 5 times in hot water, as it is imperative that all soap residues be removed. Fill two (2) jars for each source, place a double thickness of aluminum foil over the mouth, place the lid on top of the aluminum foil and then screw the seal ring on the jar. Mark source name on each bottle, package well, and ship to the laboratory for analysis. These samples should be cooled to 4 degrees C (40 degrees F). as soon after collection as possible and shipped as outlined in General Procedures and Information. TRIHALOMETHANES (THM), TOTAL OR TOTAL MAXIMUM POTENTIAL AND VOLATILE ORGANIC CHEMICALS (VOC) Trihalomethanes are usually determined and/or required on chlorinated drinking water supplies. There are two forms of this analysis: Total Trihalomethanes (THM), which reflects the trihalomethanes in the water at the time of collection and thus at the time of consumption and Total Maximum Potential Trihalomethanes, which yields the highest concentration of trihalomethanes achievable in the water. Volatile Organic Chemical (VOC) analyses are generally required on all public water supplies. THM's are a subset of VOC's and therefore the sampling is very similar. We will send you 3 each 40 milliliter septum vials for each sampling location. If you are requesting total trihalomethanes or VOC's, the vials will contain a small amount of sodium thiosulfate to quench any residual chlorine in the sample. For total maximum potential trihalomethanes the three 40 milliliter septum vials are empty. Do not rinse the vials or lose the sodium thiosulfate. The vials are sent to you pre-assembled, with the two part teflon/silicone rubber septum oriented in the proper direction. The teflon side of the septum must face the water in the vial. SAMPLING INSTRUCTIONS 1. THM and/or VOC samples must be taken at a cold water tap, with all screens, filters, aerators, etc. removed. Let the water run long enough to clear all water, which has been standing in the lines (usually 5 to 15 minutes). 2. Using a clean well rinsed 2 - 4 cup glass measuring cup, fill by allowing the water being sampled to slowly run down the side of the cup, until it is 1/2 to 3/4 full. This step is important in obtaining a representative sample in each of the three septum vials. 3. Remove the septum cap from each of the three vials and carefully pour the water in the measuring cup down the side of the vial, until it forms a dome over the top of the vial. (FOR VOC ANALYSIS ONLY: Place two drops of 6N Hydrochloric Acid on the top of each sample in the vials. The hydrochloric acid is contained in a small dropper bottle inside the wide mouth plastic jar.) CAUTION: Protect skin, eyes and clothing from contact with hydrochloric acid. For skin contact, wash with cool water followed by soap and water. For eye contact, flush eyes with cool water for 5-15 minutes and contact a physician. 4. Carefully replace the septum cap on each vial and tighten with care. A good sample should contain no entrained air bubbles. Rinse off the outside of each vial and dry. Label each vial with the sample ID, the same identification as shown on the sampling report. Use tape and a pen with permanent ink. 5. Place the samples, the jar containing the hydrochloric acid dropper vial, the frozen gel packs and the sample collection report back in the cooler and return to the laboratory as soon as possible. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT THE LABORATORY PRIOR TO SAMPLING! LEAD AND COPPER TESTING OF DOMESTIC WATER SAMPLING INSTRUCTIONS - COMMUNITY SUPPLY READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING BACKGROUND The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets drinking water standards and has determined that lead is a health concern at certain levels of exposure. There is currently established maximum contaminant level (MCL) for lead is 0.015 milligrams/liter (mg/L) and the MCL for copper is 1.3 mg/L. EPA and others are concerned about lead in drinking water. Too much lead in drinking water can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system and red blood cells. The greatest risk is to young children and pregnant women. Lead levels in your drinking water are likely to be highest: Dissolved lead cannot be seen in water. Testing of drinking water is the only way to determine if high levels of dissolved lead are present. The Wyoming Department of Agriculture's Chemistry Laboratory is certified to perform lead analyses on drinking water. Current studies have shown that two samples taken from the kitchen faucet will give the consumer the best indication of the level of lead they are exposed to during their daily activities. SAMPLING Sample 1 - reflecting the interior plumbing condition, is taken immediately upon opening the faucet using the large 1000 milliliter bottle. The water should have been standing in the pipes for at least 6 hours prior to sample collection. Sample containers may be obtained by contacting the laboratory. The bottles will have a small amount of concentrated nitric acid inside. These containers have to be handled carefully, as this acid can cause severe skin burns or damage to the eyes. If nitric acid gets in the eyes, flush immediately with water for at least 15 minutes and contact a physician. If nitric acid gets on the skin wash with water and then with soap and water. A copy of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for nitric acid is available upon request from the laboratory. The cost of analyzing the sample is $22.00. Results will be sent directly to you by the laboratory. You must complete the WATER ANALYSIS AND COLLECTION REPORT and return it along with the sample to the laboratory. LEAD AND COPPER TESTING OF DOMESTIC WATER SAMPLING INSTRUCTIONS - PRIVATE SUPPLY READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING BACKGROUND The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets drinking water standards and has determined that lead is a health concern at certain levels of exposure. There is currently established maximum contaminant level (MCL) for lead is 0.015 milligrams/liter (mg/L) and the MCL for copper is 1.3 mg/L. EPA and others are concerned about lead in drinking water. Too much lead in drinking water can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system and red blood cells. The greatest risk is to young children and pregnant women. Lead levels in your drinking water are likely to be highest: Dissolved lead cannot be seen in water. Testing of drinking water is the only way to determine if high levels of dissolved lead are present. The Wyoming Department of Agriculture's Chemistry Laboratory is certified to perform lead analyses on drinking water. Current studies have shown that two samples taken from the kitchen faucet will give the consumer the best indication of the level of lead they are exposed to during their daily activities. SAMPLING Sample 1 - reflecting the interior plumbing condition, is taken immediately upon opening the faucet using the large 1000 milliliter bottle. The water should have been standing in the pipes for at least 6 hours prior to sample collection. Sample 2 - reflecting the lead level of water being consumed, is taken after the tap has been opened and allowed to run for 5 to 15 minutes using the small 250 milliliter bottle. Sample containers may be obtained by contacting the laboratory. The bottles will have a small amount of concentrated nitric acid inside. These containers have to be handled carefully, as this acid can cause severe skin burns or damage to the eyes. If nitric acid gets in the eyes, flush immediately with water for at least 15 minutes and contact a physician. If nitric acid gets on the skin wash with water and then with soap and water. A copy of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for nitric acid is available upon request from the laboratory. The cost of analyzing the sample is $34.00. Results will be sent directly to you by the laboratory. You must complete the WATER ANALYSIS AND COLLECTION REPORT and return it along with the sample to the laboratory. Back to Informational Documents
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