Instructions for Sample Submission

(Analytical services are for internal USGS customers only)

1.  Notification requirement and shipping deadlines

·         Notify the OWML by phone or e-mail at least one week in advance of analytical needs. (See contacts).

·         Explain the services needed.  Obtain the proper request form. (See analytical request form.) Order or obtain any supplies needed.

·         Be aware of what days of the week you are sampling.  Samples may require weekend laboratory work if they are received late in the week.  Special arrangements need to be made for weekend work.

·         In order to avoid making special arrangements for weekend work, heed the following deadlines:

-        For total coliforms and E. coli, Colilert Quantitray, Clostridium perfringens, and somatic and F-specific coliphage by single-agar layer (quantitative), samples need to arrive by Thursday.  Special arrangements need to be made for samples that arrive on Friday because they require weekend work. A surcharge is applies when samples arrive on Friday.

-        For somatic and F-specific coliphage by presence/absence, samples need to arrive by Wednesday.  Special arrangements need to be made for samples that arrive on Thursday or Friday.  A surcharge is applied when samples arrive on Friday.  

-        DO NOT SEND SAMPLES ON FRIDAY TO ARRIVE ON SATURDAY. 
Any samples sent on Friday will not be delivered until Monday. In most cases, the holding time will be exceeded and the samples will arrive warm.
   

2.  Sampling storage and holding times

·         Collect samples in clean, sterile containers.  One or 3-liter polypropylene bottles, sterilized by autoclaving, work fine. 

·         For all microbiological samples, leave at least 1" of headspace in the bottle.

·         Once samples are collected, seal them tightly and keep them on ice. 

·         When packing the cooler for shipping, be certain that the sample will be kept cold and dry; that is, prevent possible contamination by not allowing the sample to float in melted ice.  We recommend double bagging the sample in watertight bags.

·         Holding times are as follows:

-        Total coliforms and E. coli, Colilert Quantitray—24 hours for noncompliance purposes only

-        Clostridium perfringens—48 hours

-        Somatic and F-specific coliphage, single-agar layer or presence absence—48 hours

3.   Sample volume requirements

-        Total coliforms and E. coli, Colilert Quantitray—Send a 500-mL or 1-L sterile bottle at least half full.  

-        Clostridium perfringens— Send a 500-mL or 1-L sterile bottle at least half full.

-        Somatic and F-specific coliphage, presence/absence P/A—Send a full 3-L sterile bottle, leaving a small amount of headspace for mixing and aeration.

-        Matrix spikes for somatic and F-specific coliphage, presence/absence P/A—Send two full 3-L sterile bottles (in addition to the 3-L environmental sample), leaving at least 1" of headspace for mixing and aeration. BE SURE TO PROVIDE THE LABORATORY WITH AT LEAST 2-DAYS ADVANCE NOTICE THAT YOU ARE SENDING A MATRIX SPIKE FOR COLIPHAGE.

-        Somatic and F-specific coliphage, single-agar layer— Send a 500-mL or 1-L sterile bottle at least half full.

-        Matrix spikes for somatic and F-specific coliphage, single-agar layer—Send a 500-mL or 1-L sterile bottles (in addition to the 500-mL environmental sample), leaving at least 1" of headspace for mixing and aeration. BE SURE TO PROVIDE THE LABORATORY WITH AT LEAST 2-DAYS ADVANCE NOTICE THAT YOU ARE SENDING A MATRIX SPIKE FOR COLIPHAGE.

4.  Availability of analytical results

·         Analytical results will be sent out every two weeks. Please notify the OWML if you would like the results sooner. 

Privacy Statement || Disclaimer || Accessibility

Last update: October 2003