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WSLH Environmental Health Division

Collecting Samples for Inorganic Testing
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

If you have questions, call the State Laboratory of Hygiene (608) 224-6277

1. Complete the DNR test request form (# 3300-219) as accurately as possible. Write the sample location & PWSID # on the sample bottle. Please print with a ball-point pen.

 [Person Filling Out Labels]

2. Collect and mail samples on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Fill each bottle with the watert sample. Fill bottles to the shoulder.

 [Person Filling Bottle]

3. Seal the sample bottles in the provided bags.

 [Person Bagging Bottle]

4. Fill Ziplock bag about 3/4 full with ice. Close (seal) ziplock bag and place it in the styrofoam shipper on top of both sample bottles. Caution: It is extremely important to seal the Zip-lock to prevent leakage. Test seal by inverting bag and squeezing. If air escapes, run finger full length of bag to re-real. Recheck seal before shipping.

 [Person Adding Ice]

5. Enclose the test request form in the remaining whirl-pak bag and place in the shipper on top of the ice bag.

 [Person Adding Form]

6. Place cover on styrofoam cantainer. Close exterior cardboard box and secure it with tape. Attach the return address label to shipping container. Ship by priority rate* mail on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday only.

 [Sealed Box]

* Nitrate must be analyzed within 48 hours of collection. In most cases, shipping by priority rate mail will meet this requirement. However, there may be areas of the state where a higher shipping rate is needed to meet this time requirement. Check with your local post office for the proper delivery rate or use a different carrier that can meet this time requirement.

Contents of Kits:

  • 2 bottles (1 miscellaneous test & 1 metals test)
  • 1 whirl-pak bag (for test request form), 2 twist tie bags with ties (for sample bottles), 1 Zip-lock bag (for ice)
  • 1 styrofoam shipper with cardboard box