Water PT scheme sample instruction sheet
Recreational and Surface: Marine (Bathing Beach)

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.

Recreational and Surface: Marine (Bathing Beach) Scheme – Instruction Sheet

Each distribution consists four LENTICULE® discs, two for the ‘A’ sample and two for the ‘B’ sample. This is to allow:
1. 1 Litre of reconstituted sample to be examined for the presence of salmonella
2. 1 Litre of reconstituted sample to be used to enumerate the indicator organisms as listed on the request/report form. Note that dilutions may be required for the enumerations

The LENTICULE discs are provided in screw-cap plastic vials (with a desiccant). Each LENTICULE disc rests on the filter support containing the desiccant. The desiccant should be orange in colour. Please contact us if this is not the case. Each LENTICULE discs requires reconstitution by a process of rehydration and dispersion prior to examination, as described below.

Refer also to the Safety Data Sheet: Safety Data Sheet - LENTICULE
For a video on sample processing: Processing samples - Recreational and Surface 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 approximately 9mL 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 all the inoculated MRD to a sample bottle containing 1L sterile deionised or distilled water at ambient temperature.
  • Rinse with approximately 2mL from the sample bottle, ensuring all liquid is transferred back to the 1L sample.
  • Disperse the inoculum by inverting approximately 30 times.

Examination:

  • Each reconstituted sample is equivalent to 1L water. For each sample, examine one reconstituted LENTICULE disc to examine for Salmonella spp. and use the other to enumerate the organisms stipulated on the request form. Note that dilutions may be required for all enumerations.
  • Undertake the sample examinations between 30 - 45 minutes after reconstitution.
  • Examine in accordance with your 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.