How to prepare a pool water sample

Overview

A sample from the surface, a return jet or a contaminated container may not represent the pool. Good testing starts with clean collection, prompt delivery and notes about recent dosing, rain, top-ups and equipment operation.

Check first

• Use a clean sample bottle reserved for pool water. Rinse it several times with pool water before collection.
• Take the sample away from return jets, skimmers, steps and recently treated areas.
• Reach about an arm's length below the surface where it is safe to do so, with the opening facing away from surface debris.
• Leave only the headspace needed to close the bottle securely and label the pool if carrying more than one sample.
• Bring the sample to the Abbotsford shop promptly and keep it cool and out of direct sunlight.

Stop and call a technician

• The water is cloudy enough to obscure the floor or safe sample access.
• A chemical spill, unknown contamination or faecal incident has occurred.
• Products may have been mixed or labels are missing.
• The pool is green and circulation is not operating.
• The sample is for a commercial or regulated aquatic facility requiring its own procedure.

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