How to collect a surface water sample?

-  Place your thumb over the mouth of the empty collection bottle, place the bottle 6 to 24 inches below the surface of the water, and remove your thumb allowing water to fill the sample bottle.

-  Make sure all the air has been removed from the bottle and then place the cap on the bottle before removing from the water.

- Check the sample to determine that no air is trapped inside the bottle.

-  If air is trapped inside the bottle, empty the bottle and repeat the process again.

Advantages of surface water sampling:

-  Evaluate changes in water quality as poor water quality can cause fish kills and is often a major factor contributing to fish disease.

-  Boats can be used in obtaining clean surface samples away from the water’s edge.

-  Aids in diagnosis.

-  Provide better water quality.

-  prevention of disease.

Disadvantages/limitations:

-  The sample can only be taken from near the surface and close to shore.

- The person remains in an uncomfortable position until the bottle is filled. 

- The water near the pond edge often is stagnant, and may contain debris.

- Submerging the bottle in shallow water often disturbs the bottom, and water entering the bottle can be contaminated with sediment.

-  Must be taken in deeper water, wading usually is unsatisfactory, for it disturbs sediments around the person doing the sampling.

Trouble shooting

-  Long-handled dippers facilitate the collection of water samples from pond or banks in a comfortable position and the sample can be transferred to a plastic bottle for transport to the laboratory.

-  Water column sampling provides a better representation of water quality than can be obtained with surface water samples.

Water samples from ponds, lakes, and aquaculture facilities

Provide as much information as possible about the condition of the tank (flow through or recirculation) or pond.

-  When samples are taken from salt-water systems or ponds where fresh water may be added, gather water from both the top and bottom of the pond. If freshwater is running into the tank or pond, collect the sample in the area least affected by the fresh water.

- Dissolved oxygen or free carbon dioxide must be tested on-site, using commercially available kits.

      Well Water

-  Let the pump operate ten minutes to an hour before taking the sample. Take the sample as close to the pump as possible.