Drinking-Water Collection for Physical and Chemical Parameters

Objective of Sampling

The objective of sampling is to collect a portion of material small enough in volume to be

transported conveniently and yet large enough for analytical purposes while still accurately representing
the material being tested.

List of Water Sample Containers

1. Plastic/Polyethylene (PET) bottle

2. Acidified Plastic/Polyethylene bottle
3. Glass bottle
4. Acidified Glass bottle
5. Amber Glass bottles with a screw cap lined with TFE
6. Screw-cap vial with a hole in the center and TFE-faced silicone septum

Water Sampling Procedures

1. Plastic/Polyethylene (PET) bottle

 Wash the PET bottle for 3 times with the same water to be collected
 Gently fill the PET bottle with the sample
 Leave an ample sample to facilitate the mixing
 Usually for parameters like pH, Residual Chlorine, Nitrate, Turbidity, etc.

2. Acidified Plastic/Polyethylene bottle

 Do not wash with sample to be collected
 Gently fill the plastic bottle with sample
 Leave an ample sample to facilitate the mixing, avoid overflowing
 Can be use for parameters like: Iron, Manganese, Copper, etc.
 Never use for parameters like: pH, odor, alkalinity and others.

3. Glass bottle
 Wash the glass bottle for 3 times with the same water to be collected
 Gently fill the glass bottle with the sample
 Leave an ample sample to facilitate the mixing
 Can be use for parameters like: Residual Chlorine, Nitrate, Turbidity, etc.
 Never use for parameters like: pH, Aluminum, Silica and others.

4. Acidified Glass bottle

 Do not wash with sample to be collected
 Gently fill the glass bottle with the sample
  Leave an ample sample to facilitate the mixing, avoid overflowing
 Can be use for parameters like: Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, etc.
 Never use for parameters like: pH, odor, Aluminum, alkalinity and others

5. Amber Glass bottles with Preservative bottle

 Do not wash with sample to be collected
 Gently fill the glass bottle with the sample
 Fill the amber glass up to the top, avoid overflowing
 Make sure that there are no air bubbles, the sample cap can be use to fill the sample
bottle
 Usually be use for parameters like: aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, etc.
 Never use for parameters like: Residual Chlorine, pH, odor, alkalinity and others

6. Screw-cap vial with a hole in the center and TFE-faced silicone septum
 Do not wash with sample to be collected
 Gently fill the glass bottle with the sample
 Fill the vial up to the top, avoid overflowing
 Make sure that there are no air bubbles, the sample cap can be used to fill the sample
bottle
 Usually be use for parameters like: Benzene, toluene, etc.
 Never use for parameters like: Residual Chlorine, pH, odor, alkalinity and others

Sample Volume

Sample volume may differ depending on the laboratory capacity and protocol. It is highly
recommended that before collection, the collector must consult first the laboratory that will conduct the
test for the analytical needs and sample procedures of the collection.

Sample Procedures

1. Prepare the sampling site

2. Remove any attachments
3. Clear the waterline
 5-10 mins flushing before collecting
4. Decrease the water flow
5. Collect the water sample
6. Label/identifying the water sample collected
 Sampling point/code, address, location
 Date and time of collection
 Collector name and or sign
 Optional: name of system or site, sample type, sampling depth, sampler’s name
 7. Secure sample
 It is best to contain the ice in plastic zipper locking bags so as not to contaminate the
sample with the melting ice
 If samples cannot reach the laboratory within 6 hours, samples should be placed in a
cooler immediately after collection

Sample Storage and Preservation

a) Sample handling prior to submission to the lab is critical

b) Knowledge for proper storage and preservation is a must before collecting water samples
c) Preservation materials must be present during the sampling otherwise an alternative way must
be done
d) Deliver samples to the laboratory the same day if possible
e) Keep the sample at <6⁰C during transport
f) Refrigerate samples to be submitted the next day after collection
g) Chemical preservation is usually done at the laboratory or by trained personnel who can handle
chemicals

Criteria for Rejection of Sample

a) Samples collected beyond the holding time without proper handling and storage
b) Quantity not sufficient
c) Sample container not in accordance with the recommended sampling bottle
d) Leaking sample
e) Multiple samples without proper labels and identification