Best Practices for Collecting a Water Sample

Please follow these instructions for the proper collection and handling of a water sample.

Note: These instructions are based on using the materials provided to you from the CanWest Environmental sampling kit.

Collect water samples in sterile water containers supplied by CanWest Environmental Laboratory.

Fill the bottle to the shoulder (this is 1,000mL, the required sample size).

Both standing and flushed samples are to be taken from the same fixture, in that order.

Collect this sample first.There should be a minimum of 6 hours since last use of tap from where the sample is collected.
If using a tap as opposed to drinking water fountain, please use cold water.
Fill out chain of custody form with all contact information, information describing the facility, and who will be doing the sampling.
When you’re ready to take your first sample and have bottle in hand, write the barcode number found on the sample bottle in the first column. After that, peel off the bottom barcode sticker of the three stickers found on the sample bottle and place it in the first column, on top of the written number.
In the second column, describe the location of the fixture.
In the third column under sample type, indicate ‘S' for standing.
Fill bottle directly using the first water that comes out. Do no pre-rinse. Aerators and filters should remain in place during sampling.
Screw the lid into place, taking care not to contact the inside surfaces of the lid or bottle. Mark down the sample time on the chain of custody.

You are now ready to flush the fixture.

Leave tap or fountain running for approximately 5 minutes.
Let the water stand for 30-35 minutes before taking the ‘Flushed Sample’. Do not use the water from this fixture in between the flushing and collecting time.
Follow the same instructions from above for taking the flushed sample. However, this time you will use an ‘F’ on the form to indicate flushed. You can also use quotation marks to indicate that the sample location is the same as its’ partnering standing sample

Keep water samples cool, but do not freeze (between 3-10 C) after collection and during transit to the laboratory.
Deliver samples to the laboratory as soon as possible to ensure MOECC deadlines are met.

For more information, contact:
CanWest Environmental
(519) 835-5857
info@canwestenvironmental.com