PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS - Protecting the Water - Testing

Testing

Contact local health officials for help in selecting tests and locating local testing laboratories. Some states have water testing services. Extreme care should be taken in collecting a sample to insure that no sources of bacteria (other than the water being tested) is introduced into the water. A list of recommended procedures and precautions to use when testing the water follows:

  1. Many states require the sample to be collected by a health official to insure quality of sample. Check with local health or extension service personnel about laboratories, sources of sterile water sample bottles, and testing fees.

  2. Determine when the sample should be taken. Most states do not test samples more than 30 hours old. Keep in mind that samples mailed on Thursday or Friday may arrive at the lab on the weekend when no one is there to test them. It is best to deliver samples personally.

  3. If the system or source is new or recently repaired, shock chlorinate the system. Then pump the system to remove the chlorine, and use the water for all purposes except to drink for at least one week before taking a sample for bacteriological tests.

  4. Select a cold-water faucet, preferably one through which some of the chlorinated water from the shock chlorination has been flushed. Do not collect the sample from: a hot-water faucet; a hot-cold-water mixing faucet; a leaky faucet; any faucet that delivers softened; filtered; or otherwise treated water; a frost-proof or fire hydrant; an outside sill cock; or from a hose attached to a faucet.

  5. Wash hands thoroughly before taking sample.

  6. Remove any strainer or aerator from the faucet.

  7. Sterilize the inside of the faucet following the instructions of the laboratory doing the testing.

  8. Open the faucet to full flow for five minutes or longer to start the pump. Partly close the faucet to pencil-sized flow, and let flow for at least one minute.

  9. Open the sterile bottle or container provided by the testing lab holding the bottle in one hand and the cap in the other.

  10. Fill the bottle about 3/4 full. Do not rinse the bottle or contaminate the bottle cap. Do not allow the bottle to overflow and do not allow the water to run over skin before entering the bottle.

  11. Close the bottle immediately after collecting the sample. Let nothing but the water touch the inside of the cap or bottle.
Only a small sample with visible iron-colored material is needed to check for the presence of iron bacteria. The container should be clean but need not be sterile.

One place to collect a sample is from the tank of a flush toilet. Scrape the sides of the tank to loosen the iron-coated coating. Collect a sample of water containing the scrapings. The test report from the lab will show if iron bacteria are present.


When and Why to Collect a Sample (1)

A sample of water should be checked:

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