Where is the best place to collect the sample?
A. If you can safely enter the stream, you should obtain your sample where the main current is flowing. As you are wading into the water, try to disturb as little sediment as possible so that the sample is not contaminated by bacteria attached to the substrate. You should position yourself downstream of the sampling point (i.e. hold the whirlpak bag upstream of your body) so that if sediments are stirred up they won’t affect your sample. If a stream site is curved, sample near the outside of the curve. Before entering the water, make sure your whirlpak is labeled correctly. If possible, do not take the sample at the stream bank’s edge since the water may be stagnant or not well mixed with the rest of the water. Try to sample where there is no debris on the surface, or clear the debris with a sweeping motion of your hand.
