Water

Introduction Tests Available Sampling Shipping Sample Volumes & Holding Times Terminology Personnel Certification Contact Us

Sampling points and method (grab or composite) should be the same as that specified in the client's NPDES discharge permit or recommended by the regulatory agency. The choice of bioassay test should also be outlined in your permit. It may be helpful to supply us with a copy of the permit to ensure proper testing. Samples should be collected in clean, new, glass/plastic bottles or "cubitainers" and must be cooled immediately to 4oC. Samples should also be cooled during compositing if at all possible. Please fill containers completely leaving no air space to help reduce the loss of volatile components. See table on following page for the amount of sample required for each test. Please be aware that some static-renewal chronic bioassays require 3 separate samples to be sent per test. Clients typically ship these on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (for Saturday delivery) for the test renewals. Please consult permit to see if this applies. All samples should be labelled using waterproof ink and include: sample ID, date and time sampled, company name, name of sampler, and whether a grab or composite sample. Chain of Custody forms should be completed, signed by the sampler and submitted with the samples. Chain of Custody forms and labels will be provided by the laboratory if needed. We recommend enclosing all paperwork in a large ziplock freezer bag to ensure dryness. Samples should be packed in coolers with "blue ice" and transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. NPDES testing must begin within 36 hours of sample collection. There is no "holding time" for hazardous waste samples, however, we recommend testing within two weeks of sample collection. As a general rule, try to ship the sample within 2 hours of sample collection to allow adequate time for arrival at the lab. SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS: For local clients: samples may be delivered to our sample receiving counter weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Maps are available for those unfamiliar with the Ventura area. Saturday and Sunday deliveries must be arranged in advance. Please notify the lab of the airbill number and expected arrival time when shipping. For additional information, please contact us at Aquatic Testing Laboratories. Our phone number is (805) 650-0546; our FAX number is (805) 650-0756. Test Container Volume Holding Time Hazardous Waste Glass Jar 100 gm (25 gm min. for screen) none Acute - NPDES Percent Survival Static plastic cubitainer One gallon for most tests 2 gallons for trout 5 gallons for stickleback 36 hours Static-renewal plastic cubitainer One gallon for most tests 5 gallons for trout 10 gallons for stickleback 36 hours LC50 Static plastic cubitainer One gallon for most tests 5 gallons for trout 10 gallons for stickleback 36 hours Static-renewal plastic cubitainer 2 gallons for most tests 10 gallons for trout 20 gallons for stickleback 36 hours Chronic - NPDES Freshwater Fathead minnow plastic cubitainer Continuous Discharges: 2.5 gallons three times within one week (Mon, Wed, & Fri) Intermittent Discharges: 5 gallons (single sample) 36 hours Ceriodaphnia plastic cubitainer Continuous Discharges: One gallon three times within one week (Mon, Wed, & Fri) Intermittent Discharges: One gallon (single sample) 36 hours Selenastrum plastic/glass bottle one liter 36 hours 3 Species Screen plastic cubitainer Continuous Discharges: 2.5 gallons three times within one week (Mon, Wed, & Fri) Intermittent Discharges: 5 gallons (single sample) 36 hours Marine Menidia plastic cubitainer Continuous Discharges: 2.5 gallons three times within one week (Mon, Wed, & Fri) Intermittent Discharges: 7 gallons (single sample) 36 hours Topsmelt plastic cubitainer Continuous Discharges: 2.5 gallons three times within one week (Mon, Wed, & Fri) Intermittent Discharges: 5 gallons (single sample) 36 hours Abalone plastic/glass bottle one liter 36 hours Giant Kelp plastic/glass bottle one liter 36 hours 3 Species Screen plastic cubitainer Continuous Discharges: 2.5 gallons three times within one week (Mon, Wed, & Fri) Intermittent Discharges: 7 gallons (single sample) 36 hours