# The Private Water Supplies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017, Paragraph 1: Samples: general


The Department must ensure that each sample taken in accordance with a monitoring programme is—
(a) representative of the water at the sampling point at the time of sampling;
(b) not contaminated in the course of being taken;
(c) for the chemical parameters copper, lead and nickel taken without prior flushing and is a random daytime sample of one litre volume;
(d) for chemical parameters in the distribution network be undertaken in accordance with ISO 5667-5, other than where the sample is taken from a consumer's tap;
(e) for microbiological parameters taken and handled according to EN ISO 19458, sampling purpose A and B;
(f) kept at such temperature and in such conditions as will secure that there is no material alteration of a concentration, value or state of any parameter/measurement/observation for which the sample is to be analysed; and
(g) analysed as soon as may be possible after it has been taken—
(i) by a person who is competent to perform that task; and
(ii) with the use of such equipment as is suitable for the purpose.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2017/211/schedule/4/paragraph/1 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/private-water-supplies-regulations-northern-ireland-2017/schedule-4/paragraph-1
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.