Well Water Sample Instructions
How to take a well water sample
- Wash your hands.
- Use a faucet as close to the well as possible for making the collection. If an inside faucet is used, remove the aerator on the end of the faucet before making the collection.
- Rinse and dry the exterior of the faucet to prevent exterior contamination of your water sample. If possible, clean with a disinfecting wipe or paper towel and light bleach solution to kill any bacteria present on the faucet. Allow the solution to dry before sampling.
- Turn on the water full force and let it run for 2 minutes.
- Reduce the water flow to a small stream.
- Tear off the protective seal. Unscrew the cap to open the bottle. Do not touch the inside of the bottle or the cap.
- Do not affix any labels to the sample bottle. Do not remove, pour out, or rinse out the powder or pellets in the sample bottle.
- Fill the bottle to the required fill line to ensure that 100 milliliters are collected.
- Screw the cap securely on the bottle to prevent leaking.
Please note: For best results, collect samples immediately before dropping them off but no more than 12 hours before.
Publications
News
POPLARVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service will offer free bacteria screenings for private water well owners in Pearl River County during an upcoming workshop.
HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service will offer free bacteria screenings for private water well owners in Marshall County during an upcoming free program.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service is promoting a free water sampling campaign in seven Mississippi Delta counties.
Success Stories
Turning on a water faucet typically produces a clear and safe product. If that doesn’t happen, there’s trouble.
Not all water is so delicious that people ask for it to be carried across state lines.
Kate Lartigue of Poplarville is particularly pleased to share her water after attending a Mississippi Well Owner Network workshop offered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Private Well Class.
