Water PT scheme sample instruction sheet
Wastewater (offered as a non-accredited scheme)

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.

Wastewater (offered as a non-accredited scheme) Scheme – Instruction Sheet

The distribution consists of two freeze dried vials containing mixtures of micro-organisms. The vial contents require reconstitution prior to examination.

Refer also to the Safety Data Sheet: Freeze dried safety data sheet

Storage:

Store the samples at 2 - 8ºC on receipt.

Opening Vials:

Remove the plastic tear-off seal by positioning the vial with the arrow on the plastic flip-top pointing away from you, flip the top up then carefully but deliberately pull downwards and to the right (or the left if you are left handed) until the seal separates; then still holding onto the plastic top, gently remove altogether and discard into a sharps container

Reconstitution:

  • Open the freeze dried vial
  • Aseptically remove the rubber stopper from the vial of the freeze-dried sample.
  • Transfer 3.5 mL of 0.1% peptone saline (maximum recovery diluent (MRD)) hat has been allowed to reach ambient temperature and allow to stand for 2 - 5 minutes. Mix the contents thoroughly.

Enumeration testing

  • Transfer 1 mL of the reconstituted vial into 1 L distilled water.

Salmonella testing

  • Transfer 1 mL of the reconstituted vial into 1 L distilled water.

SARS-CoV-2 testing

  • Transfer 1 mL of the reconstituted vial to 200 mL distilled water.

Processing:

  • Undertake the examinations listed on the request/report form between 30 - 45 minutes of reconstitution.
  • Examine in accordance with routine procedures.

Return of Results:

  • Return your results by submitting results using a link sent to your laboratory.
  • The distribution will be closed on the deadline date for return of results.
  • Results cannot be accepted after the distribution has closed.