JUMP TO: SAMPLE ACCEPTANCE RULES for DRINKING WATER

>>PRINTABLE VERSION HERE (3 pg. pdf)<<

The following acceptance rules are for NPDES, RCRA and SDWA regulatory compliance only.

Sample Acceptance Rules for Drinking Water – Maine ONLY! (NH preservation rules are different)
Container1 Preservation2 Holding Time3 Notes
Metals & Hardness (except Hg) P, G – 250 mL Preserved within 14 days HNO3 to pH<2 6 months
Uranium P, G – 125 mL Preserved within 14 days HNO3 to pH<2 6 months Separate container.
Mercury P, G – 125 mL Preserved within 14 days HNO3 to pH<2 28 days
Copper & Lead (first draw) P, G – 1 L Preserved within 14 days HNO3 to pH<2 6 months Let water sit in pipes overnight.   Take draw first thing in AM.
Coliform, E. coli P – sterile bottle Sodium thiosulfate.                           ≤10°C recommended for DW,           ≤10°C required for NPDES. 30 hours -DW         8 hours – NPDES Need just over 100mL.
Nitrate-N P – 60mL ≤6°C 48 hours
Nitrite-N P – 60mL ≤6°C 48 hours
Fluoride P – 60mL ≤6°C 28 days Plastic container ONLY!
Chloride P – 60mL ≤6°C 28 days
pH P, G – 60mL None required. 15 minutes Report will be flagged as out of hold.
Radon 40 mL vial, septi-top Fill to top7; NO BUBBLES! 4 days
PLEASE NOTE:  WE CANNOT ACCEPT FROZEN SAMPLES!