How To Collect A Water Sample

How to Collect a Drinking Water Sample (Australia Guide)

Testing your drinking water is easy with My Water Score, and collecting a sample is one of the most important steps for accurate results. Whether you’re checking for PFAS, heavy metals, or other common Australian contaminants, following these simple instructions will help ensure your results are reliable and representative of your tap water quality.

We’ve made the process simple, with straightforward kits designed for Aussie households—whether you’re on town water, tank water, or bore water.

What's Included in Your My Water Score Test Kit?

Each test kit includes:

• Sterile sample collection bottles (specific to the tests you've selected)
• A detailed instruction card
• Chain of custody form
• Return mailer with prepaid label
• A QR code for online information guides and support

Our labs are NATA-accredited and based in Australia, so your sample never leaves the country and we're only a phone call or email away on support@mywaterscore.com.au

Before You Collect Your Sample

Here’s how to prep:

• Choose a regular-use tap (typically kitchen or bathroom)
• Remove any aerators or filters before sampling
• Don’t collect from outdoor or garden taps unless testing irrigation water
• Avoid collecting immediately after heavy rain if you're on tank or rainwater systems
• READ "WHEN TO COLLECT & SEND YOUR SAMPLE" FIRST 

For first-draw testing (e.g. lead or copper from plumbing), you’ll need to leave the water sitting stagnant for at least 6 hours beforehand—typically first thing in the morning is best.

When to Send Your Sample

Our tests are time and heat sensitive, so we provide you with cooler boxes and express shipping satchel so your samples are in the right condition when they arrive at the lab. To ensure your sample arrives at the lab within 24-48hrs, we request that you do the following:

• Send the collected sample on Monday. This way, it's most likely going to arrive within the quoted time period. If it's sent on Thursday, there's a chance it will not arrive until Monday the following weekend. Please try and send your sample on Monday. Let us know if this is not going to be possible. 
• Based on sending the sample on Monday, aim to collect your sample on Monday, just before you take the collected samples to the post office. That way, it's a recent test and you will get the most accurate results. 
• If you do not follow these instructions, we can not guarantee your results will be accurate. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding this. 

We recommend avoiding weekend collection so your sample doesn’t sit in transit too long. Monday through Wednesday mornings are best for most areas in Australia.

How to Collect Your Water Sample

Follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before opening the kit.
2. Turn on the tap and let the water run for about 1-2 minutes (unless you’re doing a first-draw test).
3. Fill the sample bottle to the indicated line. Be careful not to touch the inside of the lid or bottle.
4. Seal the bottle tightly
5. Chill the sample (inside esky provided, ice bricks are preferred to ice)
6. Date and sign your chain of custody card.
7. Pack the sample and the completed card in the return express post satchel provided and drop off at your local post office.

Samples not meeting these requirements may deem the sample unsuitable and therefore accuracy of results cannot be guaranteed.

Special Notes for Australian Households

• If you’re on tank or bore water, note any recent maintenance, pump use, or chlorine treatments.
• PFAS testing in Australia follows drinking water guideline limits (check our blog for the latest from the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines).
• Water chemistry can vary seasonally, especially in regional and bushfire-affected areas—so make sure you record the date and location

Q: Can I take a sample from two different taps?

No! Even if one test kit comes with two separate bottles, it's vital to know these bottles are used for different analyses. You need to sample from the same faucet in order to get a complete picture of the water quality at that faucet.

Q: Why does it matter to have no air space when you collect samples?

This applies mainly to the measurement of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which involves the release of the gasses from the collected water sample to be prepped for analysis in the instrument. The VOCs are trapped within the water sample and are constantly trying to escape the water, in other words trying to get out into the air. 

 When you collect a VOC sample, you are trying to fill the vial (sampling container) as full as possible to trap the VOCs in the water until they can be extracted at the laboratory. The air in the vial, called headspace, is where the VOCs will escape into the vial between the cap of the vial and the water in the vial. If you have too much headspace in the vial then when the lab goes to open the vial the VOCs will escape before they can be collected for analysis. This will mean your results might not be representative of the actual VOCs present in the sample. This is why having no air space is so important.

What Happens Next?

Once your sample reaches the lab, it is analysed and you will be notified by email when your personalised Water Score Report is complete and ready for viewing. This will include a breakdown of any detected contaminants, how your water compares to national health guidelines, and non-biased filter recommendations if required. 

Important Disclaimer:

While all advice and recommendations are made in good faith, My Water Score or associated laboratories do not accept any liability or responsibility for the actions taken by an individual as a result of information provided. You should satisfy yourself that any information you rely on from any source is appropriate for your own particular circumstances.

The suggested lab tests are just common tests available to give you a very basic idea of your water quality – please be aware there are hundreds of other tests that can be done on your water.

Results Interpretation:

The results of the analysis of water intended for human consumption are compared to the Australian Drinking Water Guideline values. Some chemical parameters however, may not be regulated by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

Still Have Questions?

We’re here to help. My Water Score offers local support from our team, so if you’re unsure about how to collect your sample—or what kit is right for you—just reach out.

Contact support@mywaterscore.com.au