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Total Alkalinity
SAMPLE COLLECTION PROCEDURE
Reference Method SM 2320B
Read instructions carefully.
Samples may be rejected if ALL instructions are not followed.
▪ Sample bottle:
▪ 125-mL plastic General bottle, Unpreserved
▪ Shipping:
▪ Ship as soon as possible. The sample must arrive at the laboratory within 3 days of
collection.
▪ Sampling locations:
▪ State-approved or State-accepted location. If one of your locations is not in use, contact
your compliance officer for direction.
▪ Prior to collection:
▪ At least 48 hours before sampling, remove ice packs from the sampling kit and freeze
them.
Sample collection procedure:
1. Attach the pre-printed label to the bottle. If you do not have a pre-printed label, write the
following information, using a ballpoint or permanent pen, on the generic bottle label:
PWSID, PWS Name, and Location ID.
2. Remove any attachments from the sample tap.
3. Turn on the cold water tap and run for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the water temperature has
stabilized, whichever is longer.
a. If there is only one faucet handle, make sure it is in the cold water position.
4. Reduce the flow of the water so the stream is steady and the width of a pencil.
5. Remove bottle cap and hold in hand. Do not touch the underside of the cap or the inside of
the bottle.
6. Fill bottle to the shoulder. DO NOT overfill the container.
7. Screw the cap back on the bottle. Make sure the cap is on securely. Turn the bottle upside
down to make sure the water does not leak.
8. Replace any attachments that were removed from the faucet or sample tap.
TOTAL ALKALINITY
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9. Note: water quality parameters testing under the Lead and Copper Rule requires a field pH.
Write the pH value on the Chain-of-Custody for each sample. See PH (Field) (PDF)
(https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/docs/sampproc/phsp.pdf).
10. Upon completion of sampling, immediately (within 15 minutes) place sample in cooler with
frozen cooling material.
Complete Chain-of-Custody form using a ballpoint or permanent pen:
1. Name of the sample collector and phone number.
2. Date and Time collected (include a.m. or p.m.).
3. Put your signature on the “Relinquished By” line, including date and time. The date and
time are when the sample is put in the return mailer and sealed. If samples pass hands prior
to packaging, both parties must sign, date, and time. The first party would put down the
date and time of the transfer, and the second party would put down the date and time the
sample is packaged.
Shipping and handling:
1. All sample containers must have cooling material present without evidence of sample
freezing.
2. Sample temperature requirements depend on when the lab receives the sample:
a. Received 0 - 24 hours after collection: frozen or partially frozen (i.e. containing some
solids) cooling material must be present. The temperature of the cooling material must
be less than the temperature of the sample(s).
b. Received more than 24 hours after collection: frozen or partially frozen cooling
material must be present. The temperature of the samples must be between 0.0 and
6.0° C.
3. Dropping off samples in person:
a. Frozen or partially frozen cooling material must be present. Laboratory staff must
confirm the state of the cooling material. The temperature of the cooling material
must be less than the temperature of the sample(s). Temperature requirements listed
above must be followed.
b. Physically hand cooler/container containing samples and cooling material to
laboratory sample receiving staff. Do not leave sample containers at the sample dock
unattended.
4. Shipping samples:
a. Make sure the completed Chain-of-Custody is in the shipping container.
b. Add enough fresh, frozen cooling material to the mailing container to maintain
appropriate sample temperature as indicated above, with no evidence of freezing.
c. Ship to the Public Health Laboratory using the applicable address. Because of the
temperature requirement, it is recommended to ship using guaranteed overnight
shipping.
TOTAL ALKALINITY
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Courier Service (Spee-Dee, UPS, FedEx,
etc.)
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Laboratory
Environmental Sample Receiving
601 Robert Street North
Saint Paul, MN 55155-2531
U.S. Postal Service – 1st Class
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Laboratory
Environmental Sample Receiving
P.O. Box 64899
Saint Paul, MN 55164-0899
If you have questions, call 651-201-4700, or email health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us.
Minnesota Department of Health
Drinking Water Protection
651-201-4700
health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us
www.health.state.mn.us
July 2021
To obtain this information in a different format, call 651-201-4700.
