How to take a water sample for testing
(Kit A - total Coliform bacteria)

For a free water test kit after flooding, contact your nearest Health Department district office or your town health officer.

This water sampling kit should contain:

This kit can be stored at room temperature until needed. Look at the expiration date on the label of the bottle. Do not use an outdated collection bottle. Return outdated kit and paperwork to the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory for free replacement.

• Video: How to Take a Drinking Water Sample – from the Vermont Natural Resources Council

Testing Your Drinking Water

First disinfect your well.
Follow the directions on the information sheet Drinking Water Disinfection.

After your well is disinfected, review the following directions.
Read these directions before taking your water sample. Important: The Health Department Laboratory must have water samples within 30 hours of the sample being taken to start testing in time. If it is Friday, wait until Monday to collect and mail your sample.

Collect your water sample

  1. Print last name and phone number on the side label of the bottle.

  2. Remove the cap, breaking the paper seal. If the seal is broken before opening, call the lab for a replacement bottle.

    Do not touch the mouth of the bottle. This could contaminate your sample.
    Do not rinse the bottle because this would wash away the preservative.

  3. Go to the kitchen faucet and remove the strainer (aerator) using a clean paper towel. Don’t use a leaking faucet because it will let water flow back over the outside of the faucet and this could contaminate the sample.

  4. Let cold water run for 3-5 minutes at full flow before collecting sample.
    NOTE: If you are collecting from a mixing faucet (the type with one handle for both hot and cold water), run hot water for 2 minutes, then cold water for 2-3 minutes before collecting sample.

  5. Slow the water flow and fill the bottle to just above the 100 ml line. This test requires 100 ml of water. Do not let the bottle overflow.

  6. Replace the screw cap on the bottle and close all the way to prevent leaking.

  7. Fill out the Water Sample Collection form.

    Check that you have given all the information needed to test your sample.
    We need all of the following information to test your sample and give accurate results:

    • Date of sample collection
    • Time of sample collection (note a.m. or p.m.)
    • Location of sample collection
      (examples of location: kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and street address)
    • Name of person who collected the sample with daytime telephone number
    • Give name and street address in the ‘Submitters Remarks’ section

  8. Put the sample bottle and completed Water Sample Collection form in the cardboard mailer and screw the cap on tightly. Try to keep the sample cool by keeping out of direct sunlight. Do not freeze.

  9. Mail, ship or deliver to the Health Department Laboratory within 30 hours of collecting the sample.

Get your water sample to the Lab within 30 hours

Make sure that your water sample will get to the Health Department Laboratory within 30 hours of collecting it from your faucet.

If you use the U.S. Postal Service:

Our customers use a variety of methods to get samples to us in time. The Laboratory suggests the following alternatives:

Test results

Samples must be received by 4 p.m. on regular work days for testing to begin the same day. Test results for samples received by 4 p.m. are available after 3 p.m. on the next work day. Test results for samples received Friday will not usually be available until the following Monday. 

Contact Us

If you need assistance, call the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory customer service supervisor at 800-660-9997, extension 7603.

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