Total Nitrates Sampling Procedures. The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended...

Total NitratesTotal Nitrates Sampling Procedures Sampling Procedures

The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended sampling techniques. This recommended sampling techniques. This presentation includes:presentation includes: supplies neededsupplies needed sample tap selectionsample tap selection collection; and collection; and shipping. shipping.

Sampling for Total NitratesSampling for Total Nitrates

We know and recognize that there are numerous We know and recognize that there are numerous techniques and methods for collecting drinking techniques and methods for collecting drinking water samples. The idea of this presentation is to water samples. The idea of this presentation is to demonstrate the general method used while demonstrate the general method used while providing some helpful suggestions for sample providing some helpful suggestions for sample collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or trainee.trainee. This presentation is in no way to be This presentation is in no way to be considered a substitute for the federal Safe considered a substitute for the federal Safe

Drinking Water Act and amendments.Drinking Water Act and amendments.

Sampling for Total NitratesSampling for Total Nitrates

What is Nitrate and why do we What is Nitrate and why do we

sample for it?sample for it?

Nitrate (NO3) is a form of nitrogen combined with oxygen. It can be converted in the body to nitrite

(NO2).

What is Nitrate and why do we sample for it?What is Nitrate and why do we sample for it?

Food, not water, is the major source Food, not water, is the major source

of nitrate for adults,of nitrate for adults,


But sometimes excessive amounts of nitrate can get into drinking water.

High concentrations of nitrate can cause serious High concentrations of nitrate can cause serious illness in infants under six months of age.illness in infants under six months of age.


What is Nitrate and why do we sample for What is Nitrate and why do we sample for it?it?

Nitrate, one of the Nitrate, one of the most widespread of most widespread of contaminants, can get contaminants, can get into water if a well is into water if a well is improperly improperly constructed or located constructed or located where it is subject to where it is subject to sources of sources of contamination.contamination.

wastes from livestock operationswastes from livestock operations


Typical sources of nitrate include:Typical sources of nitrate include:

septic tank/drainfield effluentseptic tank/drainfield effluent


Crop and lawn fertilizersCrop and lawn fertilizers


Improperly applied municipal wastewater sludge


And natural geologic nitrogen


Typically, shallow water wells in sandy Typically, shallow water wells in sandy unconfined aquifers are more vulnerable to nitrate unconfined aquifers are more vulnerable to nitrate

contamination contamination


Than deeper wells which are normally Than deeper wells which are normally protected by an overlying layer of clay. protected by an overlying layer of clay.



The U.S. Environmental The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has Protection Agency has established a maximum established a maximum contaminant level contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate (as (MCL) for nitrate (as nitrogen) at 10 nitrogen) at 10 milligrams per liter milligrams per liter (mg/L) and nitrite at 1 (mg/L) and nitrite at 1 mg/L .mg/L .

State Guidelines – Rules – Sample State Guidelines – Rules – Sample

RequirementsRequirements

Be sure to check with Be sure to check with your state or tribal your state or tribal drinking water program drinking water program office for additional office for additional guidelines, rules and/or guidelines, rules and/or sample requirements sample requirements since they may be more since they may be more stringent than those stringent than those required by the federal required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Safe Drinking Water Act.

Total Nitrate Sampling SuppliesTotal Nitrate Sampling Supplies

Before you begin sampling, it is important to have Before you begin sampling, it is important to have all of your supplies on hand. Here is a list of the all of your supplies on hand. Here is a list of the

suggested supplies you may need:suggested supplies you may need:

Cooler for shipping and storage of your sampleCooler for shipping and storage of your samplewhile in transit between collection point and lab.while in transit between collection point and lab.


Bagged Ice for your shipping cooler. Bagged Ice for your shipping cooler.


PVC or unsupported Neoprene gloves which are PVC or unsupported Neoprene gloves which are necessary to keep your hands safe from sample necessary to keep your hands safe from sample

container preservative chemicals.container preservative chemicals.


Safety Goggles which are necessary to keep Safety Goggles which are necessary to keep your hands and eyes safe from sample your hands and eyes safe from sample

container preservative chemicals.container preservative chemicals.


Sample ContainerSample Container


Lab slips, labels, and markers for sample containerLab slips, labels, and markers for sample containeridentificationidentification


Additional Recommended Items are:Additional Recommended Items are:

Paper towels for drying off the outside of your sample Paper towels for drying off the outside of your sample container after sampling.container after sampling.


Plastic storage baggies for ice andPlastic storage baggies for ice and

sample container sample container


Sampling ContainersSampling Containers

Although different Although different sizes and types of sizes and types of sample containers sample containers can be used for can be used for Nitrate sampling, Nitrate sampling, most laboratories most laboratories supply 80mL sample supply 80mL sample bottles with bottles with concentrated Sulfuric concentrated Sulfuric Acid as a Acid as a preservativepreservative

As a general rule, As a general rule, proper washing of proper washing of hands is highly hands is highly recommended for recommended for the sample the sample collector.collector.


Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette smoke should never come into contact with the smoke should never come into contact with the sample or its containers. These foreign objects sample or its containers. These foreign objects have been suspected of causing false results in have been suspected of causing false results in

samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample collection procedures.collection procedures.


Do not sample with Do not sample with any containers that any containers that appear to have been appear to have been tampered with since tampered with since this may cause an this may cause an undesirable sample undesirable sample result.result.


Sampling ProceduresSampling Procedures

The laboratory that supplies the sampling containers The laboratory that supplies the sampling containers may provide instruction with the kit for the type of may provide instruction with the kit for the type of

monitoring being performed. Be sure to refer to those monitoring being performed. Be sure to refer to those instructions when provided.instructions when provided.

Important Safety PrecautionsImportant Safety Precautions

Safety goggles and Safety goggles and

gloves gloves mustmust be worn. be worn.

Wash hands before and after sampling. Wash hands before and after sampling.

Important Safety PrecautionsImportant Safety Precautions


Caution-Hazard Caution-Hazard

Sample containers may contain liquid Sample containers may contain liquid preservatives. Liquid preservatives will cause preservatives. Liquid preservatives will cause burns. If it comes into contact with the skin or burns. If it comes into contact with the skin or eyes, flush with liberal amounts of water and seek eyes, flush with liberal amounts of water and seek immediate medical attention.immediate medical attention.

Select a state approved sampling location if any Select a state approved sampling location if any have been designated. If none have been have been designated. If none have been designated, contact your state or tribal drinking designated, contact your state or tribal drinking water program office. For a surface water system, water program office. For a surface water system, the plant effluent tap might be an appropriate the plant effluent tap might be an appropriate sampling location. For a well discharging directly sampling location. For a well discharging directly into a distribution system (entry point to the into a distribution system (entry point to the distribution system or EPTDS), a tap on the well’s distribution system or EPTDS), a tap on the well’s discharge piping after any treatment may be discharge piping after any treatment may be appropriate. appropriate.


If possible, use a non-swivel faucet and remove all If possible, use a non-swivel faucet and remove all attachments, including any aerators, strainers and hoses. attachments, including any aerators, strainers and hoses. It is normally recommended not to take a sample at that It is normally recommended not to take a sample at that location if all attachments cannot be removed because location if all attachments cannot be removed because

they may alter the sample results.they may alter the sample results.


Turn on the water tap and Turn on the water tap and run the water until the run the water until the temperature has stabilized temperature has stabilized (use a thermometer if (use a thermometer if possible) This typically possible) This typically takes 2 to 3 minutes. Then takes 2 to 3 minutes. Then reduce the flow so that the reduce the flow so that the stream is approximately ¼ stream is approximately ¼ inch in diameter.inch in diameter. Do not Do not change the flow rate until change the flow rate until after sampling is after sampling is completed.completed.


While the water is running for thoseWhile the water is running for those

2-3 minutes, completely fill out the 2-3 minutes, completely fill out the

labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly

identify the system information, like identify the system information, like

the public water system identification the public water system identification

number, number, exact exact sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name. sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name.

If the sample collection point has a specific coded identification, include it on the label and If the sample collection point has a specific coded identification, include it on the label and sample submission form. Be sure to attach the label prior to sampling. A wet sample sample submission form. Be sure to attach the label prior to sampling. A wet sample container may not allow the label to properly adhere. container may not allow the label to properly adhere.


Hold bottle at an angle and carefully fill it to its Hold bottle at an angle and carefully fill it to its shoulder. Do not touch the interior of the bottle shoulder. Do not touch the interior of the bottle

or the underside of the cap. Do not allow the bottle or the underside of the cap. Do not allow the bottle to touch the faucet, or allow water to splash to touch the faucet, or allow water to splash

up onto the faucet.up onto the faucet.


The sample container should be tightly capped.The sample container should be tightly capped.


Blot the sample container with a paper towel to Blot the sample container with a paper towel to dry it off. dry it off.


It is recommended that you place the sample in It is recommended that you place the sample in a sealable plastic bag before shipping in a a sealable plastic bag before shipping in a

closed chest or box.closed chest or box.


Since Ice is sometimes recommended for use Since Ice is sometimes recommended for use in shipping, it is recommended that it be in shipping, it is recommended that it be

bagged separately to eliminate any bagged separately to eliminate any contamination of the sample.contamination of the sample.


Samples must be delivered to the analytical Samples must be delivered to the analytical laboratory within laboratory within 3 days3 days for proper testing for proper testing



RECOMMENDED:RECOMMENDED:

Taping of the chest prior to shipping is also Taping of the chest prior to shipping is also recommended since the container could be recommended since the container could be mistakenly opened during shipment. mistakenly opened during shipment.

Also be sure to tape the sample forms Also be sure to tape the sample forms and any other sample documentation either and any other sample documentation either inside or the outside of the lid. inside or the outside of the lid.

Sampling Sampling ProceduresProcedures

If the laboratory has any additional If the laboratory has any additional recommendations or requirements, they should recommendations or requirements, they should

be read and followed closely.be read and followed closely.

If you have any additional questions, please If you have any additional questions, please contact your state or tribal drinking water contact your state or tribal drinking water program office for assistance. program office for assistance.

Following the proper drinking water sample Following the proper drinking water sample collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, knowing that the test results truly represent the knowing that the test results truly represent the quality of water your customers are drinking. After quality of water your customers are drinking. After all, isn’t our goal to ensure . . .all, isn’t our goal to ensure . . .


Total Nitrates Sampling Total Nitrates Sampling ProceduresProcedures

““Water Safe to Drink”Water Safe to Drink”

Date post:	29-Jan-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	mariah-bradford
View:	214 times
Download:	0 times

Total Nitrates Sampling Procedures. The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended...

Documents