Sample: potable water collected in a sterile container; for chlorinated water use a container with sodium thiosulfate neutralizer.
- Colilerts are processed Monday – Thursday (8 am – 3 pm) and only until noon on Fridays.
- Colilerts cannot be processed Saturday or the day prior to a holiday.
Method: qualitative colorimetric detection of E. coli and coliforms; this method can detect a single viable coliform or E. coli in the presence of up to 2 million CFU/mL of heterotrophic bacteria.
Collection: Sterile screw-top containers for water collection are available free of charge from U.S. Micro-Solutions, call 724-853-4047.
Potable Water -Distribution System without attachments:
- Select a tap that is supplying water from a service pipe directly connected with the main, and is not, for example, served from a cistern or storage tank.
- Open tap fully and let water run for 2 minutes or for a time sufficient to permit clearing of the service line.
- Reduce water flow to permit filling the sample container without splashing. Collect 100 mL of water.
- Label the sample container with the sample number.
- Maintain sample at 2-8°C (refrigerator) after collection.
- Samples must be received within 24 hours of collection.
Potable Water -Well fitted with a hand pump:
- Pump water for about 5-10 minutes or until water temperature has stabilized then fill the sample container without splashing.Collect 100 mL of water.
- If no pumping machinery is available, collect a sample directly from the well by means of a sterilized bottle fitted with a weight at the base. Take care to avoid contaminating samples.Collect 100 ml of water.
- Label the sample container with the sample number.
- Maintain sample at 2-8°C (refrigerator) after collection.
- Samples must be received within 24 hours of collection.
Shipping:
- Clearly label each sample with a Sample Number and complete the Chain of Custody (COC).
- Place sample in a Ziploc bag and then in a box with an insulated foam liner and ice pack.
- Insert the completed COC form into a plastic sleeve or Ziploc bag and place in box.
- Ship samples Priority Overnight Monday through Thursday for receipt within 24 hours of collection.