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Well Water Sampling Instructions

Bacteriological examinations of water are made to determine its suitability for drinking and general domestic use. The presence of certain bacteria (Coliform organisms), which are found in feces and excreta of man and other animals indicates dangerous pollution (Interpretation: UNSAFE). These bacteria (Coliform organisms) are present in all surface water. The presence of these bacteria in well water shows that unfiltered, or poorly filtered, surface water has found its way into the well at the opening at the top or some other way. This indicates that the water is potentially dangerous, being polluted with excreta of man or animals from the surface and therefore presumably containing disease producing germs.

When sampling for bacteriological quality of well water it is important to take various precautions to avoid contamination of your sample. Please follow these directions carefully.

1. There should be a small amount of white flakes in your sample container. DO NOT wash them out. They will dissolve in your water.
2. When taking a sample for well water testing, it is best to take a sample as close to the well as possible. A very good location is at the well's pressure tank. If that is not possible, go to hard water tap nearest the well. Avoid taking the sample from a softened tap, as this may produce inaccurate results.
3. Run the water through the faucet for at least 15 minutes. If the property is unoccupied, run the water for at least 2 hours. This will ensure that fresh water from the well is being obtained.
4. Sterilize the faucet by cleaning with alcohol or by burning with a lighter.
5. Run the water for 1 minute to remove any debris from the tap.
6. When filling the bottle, it is important that you; fill the sample bottle as the water is running not turning the water on and off as you fill the bottle. Do not touch the lip of the bottle or the inside of the cap. Do not lay the cap down. Do not rinse the bottle. Do not dump out the white granular material in the bottle. Do fill the bottle to its shoulder and carefully return the cap to the bottle.
7. Complete the form. Please fill out the top and left side of the form. Well Construction Date is only needed if well was constructed after January 1, 1988.
8. Return the sample and form to S F Analytical Laboratories no later than 12-18 hours after sampling. Older samples can give inaccurate results. If you are not returning the sample immediately, be sure to keep it refrigerated. Samples older than 24 hours may be tested, but we will not be responsible for results.
9. If the well has been chlorinated, it is best to wait 7 to 10 days before retesting.
10. Your sample will be processed the same day as it is received, provided that it is received at the lab no later than 4:00 PM. The test that we run requires 24 hours for completion. Results will not be available until 3:00 PM on the day after the sample is received.
11. All records are maintained for 5 years, and then destroyed.

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