TIAER can test tap drinking water for fecal indicator bacteria (total coliforms and E. Coli). These bacteria serve as indicators of the presence of potentially harmful pathogens resulting from contamination with fecal bacteria. Follow the instructions on this page to ensure that your sample is collected correctly and that the results will be valid.
- Collect bottles from the TIAER Lab
- Call or e-mail in advance to schedule pick-up (254-968-9333, jhunter@tarleton.edu)
- Collect bottles from Stephenville Lab (201 N. Felix St., Stephenville, TX, 76401; see map below)
- Verify that bottles have a white powder (chlorine neutralizer) and are not expired.
- Choose Collection Site
- Collect directly from an outdoor faucet – without a hose or other attachment
- Do not collect from kitchen or bathroom sink, fire hydrants, dirty areas, or near bushes
- Do not sample during rain or high winds
- Collect Sample
- Do not open bottle until ready to collect
- Sterilize faucet with a disinfecting wipe
- Open the faucet to full flow and let water flow for 3 minutes to clear the line
- Reduce the flow to a slow stream – about 1/4-inch diameter (the thickness of a pencil)
- Carefully open the bottle without touching the inside of the bottle
- Fill the container without splashing – fill to the shoulder of the bottle. Do not rinse the container out or empty and refill.
- Close and seal the container tightly
- Record Sample Collection Time
- Store sample on ice
- Return Sample to TIAER lab
- Keep sample on ice until delivery to lab
- Return to TIAER lab within 6 hours of collection.
Analysis costs: $20 per sample for presence/absence or $45.06 per sample for enumeration. Discount available for large (10+) sample volumes.
