Katahdin Analytical Services

Preservation Guide

**DRINKING WATER & SOURCE WATER ANALYSIS (SDWA)**
INORGANICS
Parameter	Typical Method(s)	Sample Container/ Preservative	Preferred Volume (mL)	EPA Holding Time
Bacteria, Total Coliform	Standard Method 909A	P, G/4°C	200	6 hours
Color	EPA 110.3	P, G/4°C	100	48 hours
Cyanide (CN)	EPA 335.2	P, G/4°C, NaOH to pH > 12	500	14 days
Fluoride, Total	Standard Method 413A	P/4°C	500	28 days
Fluoride, Electrode	EPA 340.2	P/4°C	200	28 days
Fluoride, (SPADNS)	EPA 340.1	P/4°C	500	28 days
Nitrogen, (NO₃)	EPA 352.1/353.2	P, G/4°C	100	48 hours
Nitrogen, (NO₂)	EPA 354.1/353.2	P, G/4°C	100	48 hours
Odor	EPA 140.1	G/4°C	1000	24 hours
pH	EPA 150.1	P, G	100	Immediately
SDWA Metals	EPA 200/7000	P, G/HNO₃ to pH < 2	500	6 Months/ Hg 28 Days
Sulfate (SO₄)	EPA 375.4/300.0	P, G/4°C	100	28 Days
Surfactants	EPA 425.1	P, G/4°C	250	48 hours
TDS	EPA 160.1	P, G/4°C	250	7 days
Turbidity	EPA 180.1	P, G/4°C	100	48 hours

Sample Containers:
- G = Glass
- A = Amber
- P = Plastic, polyethylene bottle with a polypropylene cap
- GA = Glass amber bottle with a Teflon lined cap
- VOA = Volatile organic 40 ml vial with a Teflon lined cap
Preservatives:
- HCl = Hydrochloride Acid
- H₂SO₄ = Sulfuric Acid
- NHO₃ = Nitric Acid
- NaOH = Sodium Hydroxide
- Zn + Acetate = Zinc + Acetate
  * Preserve soil samples to 4° C; contact laboratory for proper sample container.
Regulations:
- SDWA = Safe Drinking Water Act
- NPDES = National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
- RCRA = Resource Conservation Recovery Act
Note:
- The methods shown are those commonly employed in performing environmental analyses. It is not intended to be inclusive of all possible EPA analytical methods or to indicate that Katahdin Analytical Services routinely provides the methods or parameters shown. The information provide is current as of March 1996.