From page 38
If you use a private laboratory
check that it is SANAS 17025
accredited and that it is a
member of Agri-Laboratory
Association of Southern Africa
(AgriLASA).
Ask beforehand how they
want the sample collected
and delivered, but here are
general guidelines. Both the
sample container and the lid
must be scrupulously clean. A
500 ml plastic soft drink bottle
with screw top is mostly
acceptable. If samples are not
dispatched via courier, a 750
ml glass bottle is preferred.
Rinse the container three
times with the source before
taking the sample. In instances
where the sample needs to be
analysed for micro-organisms,
rinse the container and lid
three times with hot water at
o
a minimum 70 C.
Then rinse the container three
times with the source to be
sampled. Fill the container to
the brim.
It is imperative that a decent,
representative sample be
taken and the following
guidelines are to be followed:
K Boreholes: stagnant water
in the system should be
removed first/pumped out, to
ensure that a fresh sample
from the hole is taken .
K Dams: take the sample as
closely to the centre as
possible - at least 2m from the
edge of the dam. Sample at
25 cm to 50 cm depth.
WATER USE
Label sample containers
clearly by using a permanent
marker or by putting the label
in a plastic bag and securing it
on to the bottle with an elastic
band. Store the sample at
room temperature, but
dispatch to the laboratory as
soon as possible. If microorganisms are to be tested for,
o
cool the sample to 4 C and
submit to the laboratory
within 24 hours. Special
containers are available from
laboratories for water samples
to be tested for heavy metals.
Leaks often appear on the surface some distance from the broken pipe.
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