How to Collect a Water Sample
- Remove the faucet aerator, if present, from the tap closest to the entry way of the water into the home. It is best to go to the closest source to the well; typically the hose outside the house (if available) is considered a good option.
- Allow the cold water to run approximately ten minutes at a medium rate in order to ensure the water sample will come directly from the well and not from connecting pipes or water tanks. Taking a sample after a period of greater than normal water use (e.g., morning activities) will aid in obtaining a representative sample.
- Gently fill three sampling bottles, allowing each to overflow for a few seconds. Carefully remove the sampling bottle from the flow stream maintaining a meniscus (a slight protrusion of the water) above the bottle brim. An alternative procedure is to gently fill a larger container and then immerse the sampling bottle under the water and screw on the cap; do this at the lowermost position of the container. Three samples are recommended, two samples are to perform a duplicate radon in water measurement, and the third sample bottle is in case the measurement has to be repeated for any reason.
- Immediately screw the cap tightly on the sampling bottle, being careful to avoid trapping any air bubbles. The bottle is made of glass and has a screw cap with a Teflon®-faced compression seal at the top.
- Record the location where the sample was taken and the date and time when the water sample was taken.
- Pack the bottles carefully to ensure no damage in transit. Keep the delay between the collection time and the analysis time as short as possible to minimize measurement errors.
- If the sample is to be mailed, use express service. To ensure accuracy, no more than 2 days should elapse between the time of sample collection and the beginning of the analysis.
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