POOL AND/OR SPA COLLECTION and HANDLING 

• Bottles needed:
• Pool water: one bottle needed for total coliform testing
• Spa water: two bottles needed for total coliform testing and Pseudomonas aeruginosa testing

• Collect samples in area of, or during the time of, maximum bather density.  Two samples are recommended for swimming pools (shallow and deep), but only one is required.

• Carefully remove cap of bottle and hold the bottle near its base at an angle of 45º.

• Fill the bottle (to within 1 inch from the top) in one slow sweep below the surface of the water.  Make sure the mouth is always ahead of the hand.

• Caution: the inside of the bottle sterile and contains a chemical that neutralizes chlorine.  Avoid touching the inside of the bottle and do not rinse out the bottle.
• Do not set the cap down.

• Tighten the cap to avoid leakage in transit, but don’t over tighten or the cap could crack.

• Fill out the sample collection form provided.

The sample should be received in the lab within 48 hours of collection.

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