274 WATER HYGIENE 
STATE WATER SURVEY 
Department of Chemistry, University of Ilinois 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING WATER FOR BACTERIAL EXAMINATION 
THE SAMPLE OF WATER SHOULD BE COL- 
LECTED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SHIPPING BY 
EXPRESS, SO THAT THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE 
TIME SHALL INTERVENE BETWEEN THE COL~ 
LECTION OF SAMPLE AND ITS EXAMINATION, 
The accompanving ‘Certificate’ must be filled out carefully and enclosed 
in envelope shipping tag. 
The bottle for bacterial sample is packed in cotton in the small tin can. 
The bottle has been carefully cleaned and sterilized in the laboratory and is in 
perfect condition for the collection. The rubber cloth cap must not be removed 
from the bottle until you are actually at the spot and ready to take the sample. 
Then remove the rubber cap, being exceedingly careful not to touch the inside 
of the cap or lay it in a place where it will come in contact with anything. 
From a Stream, Pond or Reservoir. Immerse the bottle to a depth of about 
1 ft , then remove the stopper and allow the water to run in until the bottle is 
about two-thirds full. With the bottle still in the water, replace the stopper 
and do not again touch it, in or out of the water. Withdraw the bottle, replace 
the rubber cap, carefully avoiding contact with the inside of the cap, the stopper, 
or the mouth of the bottle. Next, put the bottle with proper certificate in enve- 
lope attached inside the tin can, put the cotton about it, and put the lid in place 
tightly. In order to keep the sample in good condition until it is actually 
delivered at the laboratory, it will be necessary to place the small can upright 
in the large galvanized iron box and fill the galvanized box with ice. 
From a Pump or Tap. The water is allowed to flow freely for from five to 
ten minutes, then diminish the stream. Remove the stopper from the bottle, 
always careful that the part which is inserted in the mouth of the bottle does 
not come in contact with anything. Allow the water to flow into the bottle 
until it is from two-thirds to three-fourths full. Replace the stopper and pro- 
ceed as directed above. 
ImporRTANT To Note CAREFULLY 
First. Do not wash or rinse the bottle or in any way attempt to clean it. 
Seconp. Do not handle or touch the stopper to anything except the mouth 
of the bottle, only as it is necessary to do so to remove the stopper as directed 
above. 
Tuirp. Replace the rubber cap with the same side next to the botile as 
when it was removed. 
FourtuH. The sample for Bacterial Examination must be accompanied by 
a gallon sample for chemical analysis. 
