How to Collect Your Water Sample

Accurate results start with a clean sample. Follow these steps exactly as written — the whole process takes about 15 minutes, and most of that is just letting the water run.

Part 1 — Prepare Your Collection Point

About 10 minutes

Where and how you collect your sample matters as much as the water itself. A few minutes of prep keeps stray bacteria and debris out of your results.

Choose your faucet

Pick the faucet you want to test — most customers use the kitchen sink. Avoid outdoor spigots and faucets with filters, hoses, or attachments.

Remove the aerator

Unscrew the aerator (the small mesh screen at the tip of the faucet) and the rubber gasket, if your faucet has them. They trap debris and bacteria that can throw off your results.

Check the flow

Run the cold water for a few seconds to confirm a steady, even flow.

Disinfect the spigot

Wipe the spigot inside and out with rubbing alcohol. This kills surface bacteria, so you're testing your water — not your faucet.

Let the cold water run for 5–10 minutes

This flushes out water that has been sitting in your pipes, so your sample reflects the fresh water coming into your home.

Part 2 — Collect Your Sample

About 5 minutes

Your kit contains one small sterile bacteria bottle and one tall bottle. The small one is the picky one — handle it with care.

Open the small bacteria bottle

Remove the seal from the small sterile bottle.

Do not touch the inside of the lid or the neck of the bottle — your hands carry bacteria that will contaminate the sample.

Leave the powder inside the bottle

You may notice a white dusting inside the bottle. That's a preservative — it belongs there. Don't rinse, wipe, or shake it out.

Fill to the 120 mL line — in one go

Fill the bottle to the 120 mL line in a single, continuous fill, then firmly reseal it.

Never pour water out of the bottle or let it overflow. Overfilling washes away the preservative and the lab may not be able to process your sample.

Fill the tall bottle

Fill the tall bottle with cold water and seal it tightly.

Pack everything back in the bag

Place both bottles — along with the seal, wipes, and any other packaging — back into the kit bag.

You're done — time to ship it

Attach the prepaid return label and drop the package in the mail the same day you collect your sample. You'll receive your results by email within 3–5 business days of the lab receiving it.