SATL Water Collection Guide 2024

The following guide is a step-by-step procedure to collecting your water samples for routine mineral analysis and bacteria testing for water quality. You may skip the sections of this guide that are not relevant to your testing needs.

Please note that some tests require materials provided by the laboratory.

If you have questions, contact SATL at (210) 229 - 9920, Mon - Fri 8:00 - 5:00.

SATL is TCEQ NELAP Certified and a part of TCEQ Drinking Water Lead and Copper Program.

Collect in the following order if sampling for all:

1. PFAS 2. Minerals & Metals 3. Bacterias

Sampling Guide Print Version

Sampling Supplies

1000mL Sterile Container - Lab Provided
Labels - Lab Provided
Ice Chest - Lab Provided
Sharpie or other marker
Ice

Return Time

Samples for Nitrate and Nitrite must be returned to the laboratory before 48 hours have passed since collection. Please time sample collection accordingly.

Sampling Instructions

Prepare materials: Fill provided ice chest with ice and gather required materials. You will be collecting water within the first 1 minute after the tap is opened.

Open the faucet and adjust flow to avoid splashing of water. Place the container lid facing up to prevent contamination and collect water in the container provided up to the neck of the bottle (1000mLs).

Close the bottle and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the label provided along with the initials of the sample collector.
Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place all filled containers into the ice chest with ice to maintain the temperature between 0 - 6 degrees celsius.

Return the ice chest with the containers back to the laboratory within one to two days to ensure holding time requirements for analysis (with the exception of Nitrate and Nitrite which need to be brought in before 48 hours).

PFAS can be found in a vast array of everyday items and thus chances for cross-contamination during sampling is high. In order to obtain accurate results, it is imperative to take enhanced precautions both while sampling and when preparing to sample. Preparation begins with awareness of the clothes that you plan to wear, the lotions you have applied, the food you eat during breaks, and the sampling supplies themselves. Read on for our in-depth guidelines on PFAS sampling.

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New and unwashed clothing
Fabric softener laundered clothing
Dry cleaned clothing
Chemically treated to be waterproof, water resistant or stain resistant clothing
UV ray protective clothing
Teflon® (PTFE), Gore-TEX™, Tyvek®, Carhartt® waterproof products (Rain Defender, DWR, Rugged Flex, & more)
Anti-fog protection from wipes or sprays

Lotions, moisturizers, & hand creams
Most sunscreens & insect repellents (please confirm with the approved list)
Perfumes, deodorants, & antiperspirants

Chemically treated or recycled paper towels
Chemical ice packs
Aluminum foil
Fast food packaging or wrappers
Food should not be eaten in or near the sampling area
Unwashed hands

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New & unused sample bottles obtained from the laboratory & specified for the purpose of PFAS Testing
Polyproplylene or HDPE container (without a Teflon®-lined cap or lid)
Container lid that is unlined polyproplylene or HDPE

Latex or vinyl gloves
Chemical ice packs
Plastic clipboards, binders, or folders
Paper that has been treated with chemicals
Waterproof or spiral bound notebooks
Sharpies® or other permanant markers
Post-Its® or other products with adhesive
Any item containing or made from Teflon® (PFTE)
Chemically treated or recycled paper towels
Non-stick, stain-resistant, or waterproof items
Aluminum foil
Dawn® Dish detergent
Decon 90

New powderless nitrile gloves or sterile gloves provided by lab
Untreated paper towels or cotton cloths
Regular Ice
A cooler to transport PFAS samples only
Plain paper
Metal Clipboards
Ballpoint pens
Regular Ice
PFAS-free water
Alconox® and Liquinox® cleaners

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Indoor Water Sample

Sampling Supplies

250 mL Sterile HDPE Sample Container preserved with Ammonium Acetate for 533 Method Analysis -Lab Provided
250 mL Sterile HDPE Sample Container preserved with TRIZMA for 537.1 Method (Drinking Water/Liquids) Analysis -Lab Provided
250 mL Sterile, Empty, HDPE Field Blank Container preserved with Ammonium Acetate-Lab Provided
Container with PFAS-free Water -Lab Provided
Powderless nitrile gloves -Lab can provide, inquire if needed
Ice Chest to transport PFAS Samples ONLY -Lab can provide, inquire if needed
Labels -Lab Provided
Ballpoint Pen
Ice

Return Time

Samples must be returned within 24 hours of collection.
Please time sample collection accordingly.

Sampling Instructions

Wash hands then put on powderless nitrile gloves. First, prepare to sample the Field Blank. The Field Blank ensures that the samples have not been contaminated prior to or during sampling.

Locate the 250 mL Field Blank Container provided by the Lab, which will be empty except for the preservative. Also locate the Container with PFAS-free Water provided by the Lab.

Open both the containers, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid or bottle, and place the lids face up to prevent contamination. Carefully pour the contents of the Container with PFAS-free Water into the Field Blank Container; it should fill up to the neck of the container.

Close both containers, taking care not to touch the inside of the lids, and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the Field Blank Container label provided along with the initials of the sample collector.
Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place the full Field Blank Container in a Ziploc® bag and seal.
Place the now empty Container with PFAS-free Water in a separate Ziploc® bag and seal. Then, place both sealed containers into the PFAS only designated ice chest along with ice. This completes the Field Blank Sampling.

Next, the on-site samples will be collected. Locate the remaining unused Sample Containers with the PFAS analysis preservatives. Open the container, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid or bottle, and place the lid face up to prevent contamination.

Unscrew the screen and aerator from the faucet head and allow water to flow for 5 minutes. Then adjust water flow to prevent water from splashing. Carefully fill the Sample Container with the water from the faucet up to the neck of the bottle, taking care to avoid overfilling. If overfilled, some of the preservative may spill out and the sample results will be inaccurate.

Close the container, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid, and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the Sample Container label provided along with the initials of the sample collector.
Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place the Sample Container in a Ziploc® bag, seal, then place into the PFAS only designated ice chest. Repeat steps 6 - 9 for any remaining samples that need to be collected.

Once all samples have been collected and gathered into the PFAS designated ice chest, ensure that the temperature of the samples will be maintained between 2º - 6º Celsius. It is crucial that the samples do not exceed 10º Celsius. Return the ice chest with the containers back to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Faucet Type

Metal faucets and non-metal faucets require different sterilizing techniques.
Select which you would like instructions for below.

Sampling Supplies

120mL Sterile Container with Sodium thiosulfate preservative -Lab Provided
Labels -Lab Provided
Sharpie or other marker
Ice Chest -Lab can provide, inquire if needed
Ice
Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
A long-tipped lighter

Return Time

Samples must be returned within 24 hours of collection or 30 hours for State compliant samples.
The lab does not accept bacterias on Fridays or the day before holidays.
Please time sample collection accordingly.

CAUTION

ALCOHOL IS A FLAMMABLE LIQUID. TO AVOID BURNS: DO NOT BEND OVER THE SINK/FAUCET WHILE PERFORMING STEPS WITH LIGHTER.
For safety, please read all instructions before performing.

Sampling Instructions

Unscrew the screen and aerator from the faucet head and allow water to flow for 3 - 5 minutes, then turn water off.

Pour a tablespoon of Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol available in grocery stores) from the bottle onto the faucet. Allow excess to drip off.

Using the lighter, carefully apply flame to the faucet where alcohol was applied. Please remember to be careful as alcohol is FLAMMABLE and this will produce an almost invisible blue-colored flame. Do not try to put out the flame by any means, including blowing on it.

Wait 20-30 seconds for the flame to burn out on its own. Once the flame has burned out, turn on the faucet and adjust to avoid splashing water.

Open the container and place lid face up to prevent contamination.Fill the container over the 100mL mark on the container but under the 120mL mark, taking care to avoid overfilling. The preservative will only work for the first 100mL of water. If overfilled, the sample is invalid and the results will be inaccurate.

Close the container and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the label provided along with the initials of the sample collector.
Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place samples in the ice chest with ice, maintaining the temperature between 0 - 6 degrees celsius. Return the ice chest with the containers back to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection (or 30 hours for State compliant samples), but not on Fridays or the day before holidays.

Sampling Supplies

120mL Sterile Container with Sodium thiosulfate preservative -Lab Provided
Labels -Lab Provided
Sharpie or other marker
Ice Chest -Lab can provide, inquire if needed
Ice
Container that can fit faucet head
Gloves -Lab can provide, inquire if needed
Bleach

Return Time

Samples must be returned within 24 hours of collection or 30 hours for State compliant samples.
The lab does not accept bacterias on Fridays or the day before holidays.
Please time sample collection accordingly.

Sampling Instructions

Unscrew the screen and aerator from the faucet head and allow water to flow for 3 - 5 minutes, then turn water off.

Using gloves, pour commercially available Bleach into a container big enough to completely dip the faucet head into for 15 minutes.

After soaking for 15 minutes, remove the container and open the faucet and adjust to prevent water from splashing. Allow water to run for another 15 minutes.

Open the container and place lid face up to prevent contamination. Fill the container over the 100mL mark on the container but under the 120mL mark, taking care to avoid overfilling. The preservative will only work for the first 100mL of water. If overfilled, the sample is invalid and the results will be inaccurate.

Close the container and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the label provided along with the initials of the sample collector.
Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place samples in the ice chest with ice, maintaining the temperature between 0 - 6 degrees celsius. Return the ice chest with the containers back to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection (or 30 hours for State compliant samples), but not on Fridays or the day before holidays.

SATL Water Collection Guide 2024

Sampling Supplies

Return Time

Sampling Instructions

Prepare materials: Fill provided ice chest with ice and gather required materials. You will be collecting water within the first 1 minute after the tap is opened.

Open the faucet and adjust flow to avoid splashing of water. Place the container lid facing up to prevent contamination and collect water in the container provided up to the neck of the bottle (1000mLs).

Close the bottle and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the label provided along with the initials of the sample collector. Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place all filled containers into the ice chest with ice to maintain the temperature between 0 - 6 degrees celsius.

Return the ice chest with the containers back to the laboratory within one to two days to ensure holding time requirements for analysis (with the exception of Nitrate and Nitrite which need to be brought in before 48 hours).

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Wash hands then put on powderless nitrile gloves. First, prepare to sample the Field Blank. The Field Blank ensures that the samples have not been contaminated prior to or during sampling.

Locate the 250 mL Field Blank Container provided by the Lab, which will be empty except for the preservative. Also locate the Container with PFAS-free Water provided by the Lab.

Open both the containers, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid or bottle, and place the lids face up to prevent contamination. Carefully pour the contents of the Container with PFAS-free Water into the Field Blank Container; it should fill up to the neck of the container.

Close both containers, taking care not to touch the inside of the lids, and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the Field Blank Container label provided along with the initials of the sample collector. Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place the full Field Blank Container in a Ziploc® bag and seal. Place the now empty Container with PFAS-free Water in a separate Ziploc® bag and seal. Then, place both sealed containers into the PFAS only designated ice chest along with ice. This completes the Field Blank Sampling.

Next, the on-site samples will be collected. Locate the remaining unused Sample Containers with the PFAS analysis preservatives. Open the container, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid or bottle, and place the lid face up to prevent contamination.

Close the container, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid, and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the Sample Container label provided along with the initials of the sample collector. Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place the Sample Container in a Ziploc® bag, seal, then place into the PFAS only designated ice chest. Repeat steps 6 - 9 for any remaining samples that need to be collected.

Sampling Instructions

Unscrew the screen and aerator from the faucet head and allow water to flow for 3 - 5 minutes, then turn water off.

Pour a tablespoon of Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol available in grocery stores) from the bottle onto the faucet. Allow excess to drip off.

Using the lighter, carefully apply flame to the faucet where alcohol was applied. Please remember to be careful as alcohol is FLAMMABLE and this will produce an almost invisible blue-colored flame. Do not try to put out the flame by any means, including blowing on it.

Wait 20-30 seconds for the flame to burn out on its own. Once the flame has burned out, turn on the faucet and adjust to avoid splashing water.

Close the container and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the label provided along with the initials of the sample collector. Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place samples in the ice chest with ice, maintaining the temperature between 0 - 6 degrees celsius. Return the ice chest with the containers back to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection (or 30 hours for State compliant samples), but not on Fridays or the day before holidays.

©2024 by San Antonio Testing Laboratory LLC

Close the bottle and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the label provided along with the initials of the sample collector.
Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Close both containers, taking care not to touch the inside of the lids, and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the Field Blank Container label provided along with the initials of the sample collector.
Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Place the full Field Blank Container in a Ziploc® bag and seal.
Place the now empty Container with PFAS-free Water in a separate Ziploc® bag and seal. Then, place both sealed containers into the PFAS only designated ice chest along with ice. This completes the Field Blank Sampling.

Close the container, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid, and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the Sample Container label provided along with the initials of the sample collector.
Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH

Close the container and record the date, time, and location of sampling on the label provided along with the initials of the sample collector.
Example: 11/01/23, 3:45 pm, Kitchen Sink, MH