What precautions should be taken to protect a potable water sample during testing?

To ensure the accuracy and reliability of a potable water sample during testing, it is essential to keep the sample agitated. Keeping the sample agitated helps maintain a uniform distribution of all components within the water, preventing sedimentation and ensuring that any microbial life or chemical constituents are evenly suspended. This uniformity is crucial for obtaining consistent and representative measurements when the sample is analyzed.

Agitation also helps prevent changes that can occur due to settling or stratification, which can cause variations in test results. By maintaining continuous movement, the sample can better represent the original characteristics of the water source at the time of sampling.

Other methods, such as mixing with other samples, can introduce contamination or alter the composition of the sample, thereby compromising the integrity needed for accurate testing. Exposing the sample to sunlight can lead to photodegradation of certain chemicals or microorganisms, adversely affecting the results. Freezing, while it may preserve some aspects of the sample, can also alter physical and chemical properties, which may not reflect the true conditions of the water when originally sampled.