Microbiological Sampling Protocol for Bathing Beaches

1. Choose a fixed sampling location and use this location consistently throughout your program.
2. The sampling location must be located in the bathing / swimming area.
3. Establish the correct number of locations as determined by a public health official.
4. Collect samples where the water is 1 to 1.5 meters deep (3 to 4 feet).  This can be done by hand or with a sampling rod. 
5. When positioned at the sampling site, uncap a new, sterile sampling container – be careful to not touch the inside of the cap.
6. Holding the bottle near its base, turn the bottle over and plunge it neck down into the water to the depth of 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches – up to about your elbow).  It is not a concern if the sodium thiosulfate powder or pellets falls out or is rinsed out of the bottles. 
7. The bottle should then be turned until the neck points slightly upwards, the mouth being directed toward the current. If no current exists, push the bottle horizontally forward in a direction away from the hand.  Samples must not be contaminated by allowing the water to pass over the hand and then into the bottle.
    
   When the depth of water is less than 1 metre, samples should be obtained as far off shore as possible but within the swimming area
    
   
8. Immediately recap the bottle.
9. Complete the laboratory submission form.  Note the weather on your form - particularly any recent rainfall event, wind & wave action.
10. Keep the sample cold (between 2 and 10 oC -- do not freeze).  Ice packs must be used during warmer seasons.
11. Transport samples to the lab in a rigid walled sealed box or cooler.  Transport to the lab within 24 hours (ideally the same day).  Samples expire after 48 hours.

Excerpt from 'Beach Management Protocol - Safe Water
Ontario Mandatory Health Programs and Services
Public Health Branch  January 1, 1998'

Sampling Site Location

During routine beach surveillance, samples are collected from the bathing beach area only. The location of sampling sites must be fixed permanently and should be representative of the bathing beach area.  A minimum of 5 sampling sites per beach should be established. The following guideline can be used to establish the number of sampling sites for extensive beach areas:
Length of Beach Number of Sampling Sites
1000 metres or less 5 sites
1 kilometre or more 1 site per 200 metres

Meteorological Conditions

Elevated bacterial counts at bathing beaches following periods of rainfall have been noted. Winds can also affect beach areas by driving contaminated water, sediment, or foreign materials toward beach areas. Collection of data using the Field Data Report (Appendix B) allows a comparison of meteorological conditions with bacteriological reports. Assessment of the historical data on the factors influencing a particular beach may allow the MOH to predict water quality deterioration.

Depth of Sampling

Where the depth of water is appropriate, samples for bacteriological analysis must be obtained at about 15 to 30 cm below the water surface, at a point where the depth of water is 1 to 1.5 metre. When the depth of water is less than 1 metre, samples should be obtained as far off shore as possible but within the swimming area.

Sampling Techniques & Sample Containers

Samples for bacteriological analysis must be collected in sterile bottles which may or may not contain sodium thiosulphate. Bottles for sampling purposes are approved by and available through the Ontario Ministry of Health regional laboratories. When obtaining samples for chemical analysis, refer to the Ministry of the Environment's Guide for the Collection and Submission of Samples for Laboratory Analysis.

Sample Collection

The sampling bottle shall be kept unopened until the moment at which it is required for filling. The cap shall be removed and protected from contamination until replaced on the bottle. The bottle shall be held near the base, filled at least to the fill line, and the cap replaced immediately. The sample bottle can be held by hand or by a sampling rod when filling. To fill the bottle, hold it near its base and plunge it neck downward to a depth of 15 to 30 cm below the surface. The bottle should then be turned until the neck points slightly upwards, the mouth being directed toward the current. If no current exists, push the bottle horizontally forward in a direction away from the hand.  Samples must be collected in a manner that ensures that they are representative of the water to be tested, and have not been contaminated during collection.

Sample Preservation and Transport to Laboratory

Immediately after it is collected, the sample should be stored in an ice chest or refrigerated chest for immediate delivery to the nearest regional laboratory on the day of collection. During transport, sample temperature should be maintained below 10 degrees C. and preferably at or near 4 degrees C.  Samples must reach the laboratory and be analyzed within 24 hours of sample collection. Samples received later than 24 hours after collection or improperly preserved will not be analyzed.