Sampling instructions for specific analyses are listed at the bottom of this page.  

Click these links for video instructions on sampling or shipping samples.

Specific sampling instructions are provided below:

CAUTION:
Some sample bottles contain chemical preservatives. These substances may cause injury if spilled in the eyes or on the skin or ingested. In case of a spill, rinse the affected area with large amounts of water and see a doctor immediately. Use of gloves is strongly recommended.

• Vials: 40 mL clear or amber glass
• Fill the vial under a slow stream of water until it overflows.  The water should be domed at the top.  
• Gently replace the cap and tighten securely.
  There must be no air bubbles in the vial.  
• Samples may be rejected if air bubbles are entrapped in the vial.
• Bottles: 250 mL, 500 mL, or 1L amber glass
• Fill the bottle to the neck.  Cap tightly.

• Bottles: 125 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL or 1L HDPE plastic
• Collect the sample from a kitchen or bathroom cold water faucet.  Remove all screens, strainers or aerators before taking the sample.  Using the cold water tap only, fill the sample bottle completely to the neck.  Cap tightly.
• Lead/Copper:  Allow the water to stand undisturbed in the pipes for at least 6 hours before collecting the sample.  Click here for more guidance on lead/copper sampling. You will also need to fill out a Chain of Custody to accompany your samples. Select the correct Lead/Copper (Pb/Cu) form for your state on our Chains of Custody page.
• Nitrate:  Samples must be submitted to the lab within 36 hours of collection.

• Containers:  Soil and sludge samples are typically collected in two 4-oz. glass jars with Teflon-lined caps.  
  Some solid samples may require specialized containers.
• Fill the jars completely to eliminate head space.  Cap tightly.  
• Immediately place sample containers in a refrigerator or cooler with ice until delivered to the lab.

(Click here to view these instructions as a PDF) (Click here to see video sampling instructions)

Contact us with any questions before sampling.  Samples will be rejected if improperly submitted.

• Clearly label each sample container. Use a permanent marker (Sharpie or similar) to indicate the sampling location and the date and time collected.
• Use the proper container to collect your sample and do not rinse out any preservatives present. Specific sample containers are required for all UCMR4 analyses. Samples will be rejected if collected in the incorrect container and will require re-sampling. If you have any questions, please contact us before sampling (1-208-883-2839).
• Refrigerate samples or place samples on ice immediately after sampling prior to shipping to lab. Samples must be submitted to the lab within 48 hours of sampling.  UCMR4 protocols have strict preservation and temperature requirements thus samples must arrive at the laboratory cold (<10^oC) and in the correct containers or samples will be rejected.
• Before submitting your samples to the lab, complete a chain of custody form for each point (EP), distribution system (DS), and water source (SR) .  The additional ‘two bottles per water system’ noted on some tests are collected to allow the laboratory to run matrix spike samples required by UCMR4.

• EPA 200.8 Metals in Drinking Water
  

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  Bottles:  250 mL HDPE plastic (one bottle for each Entry Point)
  Fill the bottle under a slow stream of water until the bottle is filled up to the neck.

• EPA 525.3 Pesticides
  

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  Bottles:  1 L amber glass (three bottles for each Entry Point)
  Fill the bottle under a slow stream of water until it is filled up to the neck. Gently replace the cap, tighten securely, and invert the sample a few times to dissolve the preservative.

• EPA 530 Semivolatiles
  

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  Bottles:  1L amber glass (two bottles for each Entry Point, plus an additional two bottles per water system)
  Fill the bottle under a slow stream of water until it is filled up to the neck. Gently replace the cap, tighten securely, and invert the sample a few times to dissolve the preservative.

• EPA 541 Alcohols
  

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  Bottles:  60 mL amber glass vials (two per each Entry Point, plus an additional two bottles per water system)
  Fill the bottle under a slow stream of water until it is filled up to the neck. Gently replace the cap, tighten securely, and invert the sample a few times to dissolve the preservative.

• EPA 552.3:  Haloacetic Acids
  

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  Bottles:  60 mL amber glass vials (two for each Distribution System, plus an additional two bottles per water system)
  Fill the bottle under a slow stream of water until it is filled up to the neck. Gently replace the cap, tighten securely, and invert the sample a few times to dissolve the preservative.
  
  
• SM 5310C: Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
  

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  Bottles:  125 mL amber glass (one for each Water Source, plus an additional two bottles per water system)
  
  
• EPA 300.0: Bromide
  

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  Bottles:  125 mL amber glass (one for each Water Source)
  
  
• EPA 544:  Microcystins & Nodularin
  

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  Bottles:  550 mL amber glass (three bottles for each Entry Point)
  Fill the bottle under a slow stream of water until it is filled up to the neck. Gently replace the cap, tighten securely, and invert the sample a few times to dissolve the preservative.
  
  
• EPA 545:  Cylindrospermopsin & Anatoxin-a
  

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  Bottles:  125 mL amber glass (one bottle for each Entry Point)
  Fill the bottle under a slow stream of water until it is filled up to the neck. Gently replace the cap, tighten securely, and invert the sample a few times to dissolve the preservative.
  
  
• EPA 546 (ELISA):  Total Microcystins
  

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  Bottles:  125 mL amber glass (one bottle for each Entry Point)
  Fill the bottle under a slow stream of water until it is filled up to the neck. Gently replace the cap, tighten securely, and invert the sample a few times to dissolve the preservative.

 (Click here to view these instructions as a PDF)

• Clearly label each sample container. Use a permanent marker (Sharpie or similar) to indicate the sampling location and the date and time collected.
• Use the proper container to collect your sample and do not rinse out any preservatives present. Specific sample containers are required for all EPA 537 analyses. Samples will be rejected if collected in the incorrect container and will require re-sampling. If you have any questions, please contact us before sampling (208-883-2839 [Moscow] or 509-838-3999 [Spokane]).
• Refrigerate samples or place samples on ice immediately after sampling prior to shipping to lab. Samples must be submitted to the lab within 48 hours of sampling.  EPA 537 protocols have strict preservation and temperature requirements thus samples must arrive at the laboratory cold (< 10^oC) and in the correct containers or samples will be rejected.
• Before submitting your samples to the lab, complete a chain of custody form for each entry point (EP).
• Contact us with any questions before sampling.  Samples will be rejected if improperly submitted.

EPA 537 requires field blanks to be prepared while collecting samples at each sampling site.

EPA 537:  Perfluorinated Alkyl Acids in Drinking Water 

• Bottles: 250 mL polypropylene plastic (two bottles for each entry point)
• Fill the bottle under a slow stream of water until the bottle is filled up to the neck. Gently replace the cap, tighten securely, and invert the sample a few times to dissolve the preservative.
• Field Blanks (required for each entry point):
• You will have one sealed 250 mL plastic bottle that contains preserved, reagent water (labeled Reagent Water) and one plastic bottle that is empty (labeled Field Blank).  At the sampling site, open the bottle containing reagent water and pour it into the empty bottle, replace the cap securely and ship it with the samples.