Retrieving Water Samples: Lab Equipment for the Treatment Plant or the Field

If you collect environmental water samples for testing for dissolved minerals, chemicals, or miscellaneous contaminants, you will need sampling equipment that meets your specific needs. Two common types of samples are grab samples and composite samples. Whether you are sampling in a treatment plant or out in the field, some of the items below will help you retrieve your samples.

To ensure accurate sampling results, your liquid sampler should be made from inert materials to prevent chemical incompatibility. It's also best to select a liquid sampler in various lengths.

For open water sampling, choose from dipper sampling systems or dippers and bailers with replaceable or removable cups, in either plastic, PTFE, or stainless steel options. For hard-to-reach areas, select portable automatic peristaltic pump sampler systems that can float and be programmed to EPA requirements.

Types of Water Sampling Equipment

Bailers: hollow tube apparatus used to retrieve groundwater samples

Dippers: sampling containers attached to long handles for retrieving liquid samples from a distance

Dredges: tools for sampling sediment from bodies of water  

Flowmeters: instruments used to determine the flow rate of a body of water, such as a river

Ladles: large-mouthed scooping devices for sampling  

Level Loggers: tools for measuring water level

Nets & Skimmers: tools for removing particulates from bodies of water

Precleaned Bottles: bottles cleaned to meet EPA standards for sampling

Pressure Loggers: instruments for measuring the pressure levels of water sources such as fire hydrants

Samplers: tube-like instruments with seals specifically designed for obtaining water samples in hard to reach areas

Sampling Bags: bags made specifically for water testing and collection

Sampling Pumps: portable pumps for collecting water samples

Separation & Settling: tools for measuring and testing solids in water samples

Water Testing: instruments for testing water quality