THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA

EICF/07609P/2019
PUBLIC HEALTH ASSINGMENT
Water sampling is the collection of water samples from a source in order to obtain information about
the quality of the water or assess its condition. The sampling process typically involves taking small
representative samples of water and analyzing them for biological properties such as pH, conductivity,
temperature and oxygen levels which are often then used to determine if an area requires more
analysis.Many people think that the analysis starts when the sample arrives in the laboratory. However,
sampling is an integral part of the analytical process, thus analysis starts with sampling. Sampling is so
important that it represents the main contribution to the error of the whole analytical process,
especially when trace contamination is being measured. The relative error, as well as the absolute
possible error due to sampling, sampling preparation and instrumentation analysis, differs from source
to source and it depends greatly on the range of concentration of analytes. Sampling always start by
defining the purpose of the measurement . If the different stages are under the responsibility of
different people, there needs to be good communication between all parties involved. The primary goal
of water sampling is to observe and measure how water quality changes over time. An important
assumption to water sampling work is that high acidity or high alkalinity in the water might be normal
for a given ecological region .water samples must be taken and analyzed repeatedly over a period of
weeks, months, years, and decades to determine more precisely how water conditions change. Water
sampling is an important part of any environmental study that involves direct monitoring of natural
ecosystems. It can also be a useful tool in medical research where studying human patients or tissue
samples that may have been exposed to potential toxins by drinking contaminated water. Performing
regular monitoring using this method can help reduce risk levels dramatically and even prevent
potentially catastrophic events like epidemics.

Water sampling has advantages and disadvantages that it offer to the public that is, Extent of Sampling
is high, Samples of water from the natural water systems should be routinely taken and analyzed as part
of a pre-determined monitoring program by regulatory authorities to ensure that water system remains
unpolluted or, if polluted, that the levels of pollution are not increasing or are falling in line with an
agreed remediation plan. Typical parameters for ensuring that unpolluted surface waters remain within
acceptable chemical standards include major cations and anions, and biochemical oxygen demand.
However, the frequency of the sampling protocols will be dependent upon the water system, the type of
pollution, and the degree of pollution.

Water sampling is less tedious in Sampling, utilization of sampling takes less time too. Arrangement,
examination and so forth, take significantly less time on account of a Sample than on account of a
population. Water Sampling for subsequent analysis is often considered to be somewhat easier than
sampling soils for two main reasons: water tends to be more homogeneous than soils, there is less
point-to-point variability between two samples collected within the same vicinity and it is often
physically easier to collect water samples because it can be done with pumps and hose lines, since
known volumes of water can be collected from known depths with relative ease.

In water sampling exactness of information is high, during water sampling discreet execution of
fieldwork should be believable. Since, the consequences of sampling concentrates end up being
adequately exact. In order to establish remediation protocols for any water system, guidelines and
standard test methods must be available to assess the quality of the water. Samples must be taken from
locations that are representative of the water and when selecting sampling points, each locality should
be considered individually. The following general criteria are suggested guidelines, the sampling points
should be selected such that the samples taken are representative of the source from which water is
obtained, the sampling points should include those that yield samples representative of the conditions
at the water system, particularly points of possible contamination, the sampling points should be
uniformly distributed throughout a water system, and the sampling points chosen should generally yield
samples that are representative of the system as a whole.

Chances of predisposition, water samples are in a chemically dynamic state, and the moment they are
removed from the sample site, chemical, biological, and/or physical processes that change their
compositions may begin. Analyte concentrations may become altered due to volatilization, sorption,
diffusion, precipitation, hydrolysis, oxidation, photochemical and microbiological effects. The
composition of water samples may also change because of microbiological activity. This is especially
prevalent with organic in wastewater subjected to biological degradation. These samples and samples
containing organic analytes in general should be cooled immediately, stored, and shipped at a low
temperature about 4°C.

In satisfactory information in the subject, water sampling allows managers and owners to establish
baseline values, ultimately increasing the knowledge and understanding surrounding the specific issues
of a water body. Parameters such as alkalinity and conductivity are corresponding to the yearly physical
properties each lake or pond is recommended to have. They are typically established based on the
chemistry of the source of the water for that specific lake or pond. Major swings in parameter values can
signify that something may be imbalanced leading to an unhealthy lake or pond. Both factors can
change if the health of the lake or pond is suffering and a treatment can be more effective as a result.
Different aquatic products applied at different rates will not all work the same under varying water
conditions, so the more information that can go into selecting a product, the better chances for its
success.

Water sampling offers benefits that it ensures peace of mind. You’ll know for sure if there’s anything
wrong with your water and its quality without a doubt. The second is having your water tested privately
will cover a wide range of contaminants in your water. Every water treatment plant has different
standards and tests that they run. By having your water tested yourself, you’ll know that a
comprehensive analysis has been done on your water’s quality. Thirdly, contaminants in the water could
be behind health concerns that you have. For instance, you may have problems with your skin, such as
dryness, itchiness, or even rashes. Hard water can be an underlying cause of your skin condition, and
knowing this can help you address that root problem. Hard water doesn’t thoroughly rinse you off
during a shower as soft water will.

In conclusion, water sampling mistakes could lead to identification of unreal hazards or harmful
contaminants going undetected. This leads to misunderstanding of the natural phenomena and the
application of wrong legal and safety regulations. Moreover, a bad sampling plan makes laboratory
results useless and, because the laboratory is at the end that provides the results, the laboratory always
tends to get the blame. This could lead to controversy, costly repetition of analyses, loss of confidence
and personal penalties. However, the analytical result may depend on the method used for analysis, but
it always depends on the type of sampling plan used. Laboratory personnel should at least be aware of
the sampling methods and should have input into the sampling process. Samples that have not been
taken properly should not be run. Water sampling ensure that the water quality is protected from every
potential cause of contamination and an appropriate approach is involved with the treatment system. It
is advisable to test well water supplies annually even if they are not suspected in any contaminations.
There some types of water issues that can’t be detected without testing.