Water PT scheme sample instruction sheet
Drinking

The final date for return of results is indicated on the accompanying request/report form

Contact details:
The Organisers - FEPTU
UK Health Security Agency
61 Colindale Avenue,
London, NW9 5EQ, UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8327 7119
e-mail: foodeqa@ukhsa.gov.uk
Results should be returned on-line using the web-based reporting system. Go to: www.phe-eqa.org.uk. You will need your log-in details for this process. Please contact us if you experience problems with the on-line system.

Drinking Scheme – Instruction Sheet

Each distribution consists of two LENTICULE ® discs in screw-cap plastic vials (with a desiccant). Each LENTICULE discs rests on the filter support containing the desiccant. The
desiccant should be orange in colour. Please contact us if this is not the case.

Important information to note:
You can now analyse and report up to three sets of results for any of the tests for the Drinking Water Scheme you participate in.

Refer also to the Safety Data Sheet: Safety Data Sheet - LENTICULE
For a video on sample processing: Processing samples - Drinking Water

Storage:

  • Store the samples at –20 ± 5ºC on receipt.
  • Allow the LENTICULE discs to reach ambient temperature (5 - 10 minutes) before reconstituting in diluent.

Reconstitution:

  • Open the sample container and transfer the LENTICULE disc into 3.5mL 0.1% peptone saline (maximum recovery diluent (MRD)) that has been allowed to reach ambient temperature.
  • Leave to stand at ambient temperature for 10 -12 minutes to rehydrate.
  • Tighten the cap of the bottle and shake to disperse the micro-organisms.
  • Transfer 1mL of the rehydrated sample to 1L of sterile deionised or distilled water at ambient temperature. This is equivalent to 1L of drinking water. If more than one result is being submitted repeat this step.
  • Disperse the inoculum by inverting approximately 30 times.

Examination:

  • Undertake sample examination between 30 - 45 minutes after reconstitution.
  • Examine in accordance with routine procedures.

Return of Results:

  • Return your results on-line using the web-based reporting system.
  • The distribution will be closed on the deadline date for return of results.
  • Results cannot be accepted after the distribution has closed.