Water sampling

Water
sampling is the process of collecting proportion of water for examining the
physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water routine examination
or suspected purposes.

Water
sampling can also be described as the process of collecting water sample randomly
on regular basis at various sources of examination for the purpose of
determines its quality and safety.

Importance of water sampling

i.
To
ascertain the fitness of the water to make sure is portable for human
consumption.

ii.
To
prevent water borne disease.

iii.
To
ascertain the efficiency of the water treatment.

iv.
To
identify indicator organism.

v.
To
ascertain the presence and level of pollutant in water.

Materials required for water sampling

i.
Water
sampling kit.

ii.
Water
sampling bottles.

iii.
Tin
foil.

iv.
Matches/lighter

v.
Mentholated
spirit.

vi.
Cotton
wool.

vii.
Soap

viii.
Handkerchief/small
towel.

To
take water samples, some precautionary measures need to be taken depending on
the sources of the water sampling.

Procedure for taking water samples from
tap

i.
Wash
your hand thoroughly with soap and water to discourage fresh contamination at
the collection point.

ii.
Sterilize
the mouth of the tap with mentholated spirit soaked in cotton wool.

iii.
Light
the mentholated spirit and heat the mouth of the tap to ensure complete
sterilization of the tap.

iv.
Turn
on the tap allow the water to run for few minutes. This will give room for the
collection of cool water rather hot water.

v.
Rinse
the bottle with the water to be sampled.

vi.
Gently
collect the water sample 2cm below the mouth of the tap and it with the tin
foil.

vii.
Place
the bottle back into the kit after labeling and forward it to the laboratory
immediately for the analysis.

viii.
Label
the sample before sending to the lab with source, date, time and your
designation.

ix.
Four
copies of record is required, two for the chemist or analyst one for the chief
environmental health officer and one the officer taking samples.

Sampling
of well water

i.
Wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water.

ii.
Tie
the wire loop or string around round the neck of the bottle.

iii.
Sterilize
the string and the neck of neck of bottle with menthylated spirit by using
cotton wool.

iv.
Lower
the sterilized bottle and string carefully into the well without allowing it to
touch the sides of well to avoid water sampling contamination.

v.
Fill
the bottle to the brim and bring it out carefully without allowing it to touch
either sides of the well.

vi.
Cover
the bottle with the tin foil.

vii.
Label
the sample and send to the laboratory for analysis, taking into note the date,
time and others.

Sampling from stream

i.
Wash
your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

ii.
Tie
a string or wire loop round the neck of the bottle.

iii.
Sterilized
the string and the neck of the bottle with mentholated spirit by using cotton
wool.

iv.
Move
to the middle of the stream to take the water sample as taking sample very
close to the bank of the stream might lead to misleading result.

v.
Bend
the bottle while collecting the sample, and lift out the bottle with the wire
loop.

vi.
Cover
the bottle carefully with the tin foil.

vii.
Label
the sample and send to the laboratory for analysis.