Sample collection and storage

  Site Survey

Please record all sampling information on the attached   sampling sheet

FWA and PCR analysis

If FWA and PCR analysis are both requested then the same 500 ml water sample will be sufficient for all PCR and FWA analyses.

Water samples can be collected in 500 ml PET bottles obtainable from

"Stowers Containment Solutions"
Head Office 268 Neilson St, Onehunga
PO Box 13 377
Auckland.
www.stowers.co.nz

Store locations in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

500ml ribbed bottle clear code# 0093PTCL; HC white cap code# 0095WH.

Samples need to be sent on ice to the ESR lab for processing within 24 hours of collection. FWAs are not detected following storage at room temperature in ambient light after 48 hours. Samples stored at 4°C in the dark or frozen are stable for at least one month.

Faecal sterol analysis

In general, analysis for faecal sterols requires 4 litres of water ie 2 x 2L PET bottles which can be obtained from:

"Stowers Containment Solutions"
Head Office 268 Neilson St, Onehunga
PO Box 13 377
Auckland.
www.stowers.co.nz

Store locations in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

2 Litre rigger (coke bottle) code# 0101PTCL; HC white cap code# 0095WH.

If the water sample is heavily contaminated or turbid then 2 litre samples may be sufficient for testing.

Samples are sent to ESR on ice (ice packs) within 24 hours of sample collection. On arrival at ESR, samples will be filtered and the filters frozen until it is decided that faecal sterol analysis is required.

Alternatively, clients can filter water and send or store frozen filters until a decision has been made about whether faecal sterol analysis is required.

• Filtering requires Whatman Glass Microfibre filters (GF/F 47mm Cat No 1825 047, $160 /box 100).
  Use sterile/clean filtering unit (as for coliform tests - same unit if you like) as long as no rubber parts (rubber may contaminate sample with sterols)
• Filter 4 -10 litres of water OR until 2 filters block up (which might be much less).
  Blocked filters are defined as “no flow through the filter for a continuous period of 2 minutes"
  Generally 4 litres is adequate for surface waters and the sterols adhere to the particulate matter on the filters.
• Put filters into plastic container (specimen container, P30 etc) and store frozen for up to 3 months or in fridge for up to one week.
  Need to wear blue nitrile gloves which are cholesterol free (Cholesterol is a sterol).

Wear gloves that are free of cholesterol as human handling may contaminate the water sample. Blue nitrile gloves which are cholesterol-free can be obtained from Global Sciences (0800 734 100) or Biolab (0800 933 966).

Courier all samples on ice to:

Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Ltd.
Christchurch Science Centre
27 Creyke Rd
Ilam
Christchurch