How to take a drinking water sample and where to get a sterile sample container

You can get a sterile sample bag or container, from Far North Envirolab or from the Kaitaia Water Centre shop.

Surface Water Sampling Method:

(for rainwater tank, dam, creek or other stored water) Sample directly into the sterile plastic bag (or container), not from another container into the sterile one. Do not rinse the bag or container in the water to be sampled. Uncap the 250 ml bag , do not touch the inside of the bag (container) or the lid. Hold the uncapped bag firmly, hands away from the lip, quickly dunk the bag under the surface of the water with the lip of the bag or (bottle) facing downwards and upstream (avoid the surface scum), fill the bag and quickly remove from water body. Tip out a small quantity (fill to just above the top rim), cap securely. Label with:

Name of owner ………………        Location ……………………
Source of water (tank, bore, spring, dam)……………………
Date and time of sampling ………………………………..

The sample must be dispatched as a chilled sample and be received by Far North Envirolab Laboratory within 6 hours of sampling.

The sample must to be returned to Far North Laboratory within 30 minutes of sampling or immediately packed in ice for periods not exceeding 6 hours. Samples older than 24 hours  can not be accepted. The faecal coli form test requires incubation for 24 hours, so sample results will be available within 36 hours from time of delivery