What should be done with samples after they are collected for testing?

After samples are collected for testing, it is essential to seal and label them immediately. This practice serves several important purposes. Proper sealing prevents contamination from external sources, which could alter the results of the tests and lead to inaccurate conclusions about the water quality. Labeling is crucial for maintaining accurate records, ensuring that each sample can be correctly identified and traced back to its source, test date, and any other pertinent information required for analysis.

Immediate sealing and labeling also help in ensuring that the integrity of the sample is maintained before it is processed or analyzed. Without this critical step, there is a risk of misidentification or contamination, which could compromise the safety and reliability of the testing process.

While refrigeration and immediate testing play roles in certain scenarios, the priority must always be the immediate sealing and labeling of the samples to preserve their integrity from the moment they are collected.