What is the first step in the water sampling procedure?

The first step in the water sampling procedure is to open the faucet. This action is crucial as it helps to ensure that the water being sampled reflects the current water quality from the source. By opening the faucet, you allow water to flow, which can help to flush out any stagnant water that may have been sitting in the pipes before the sampling occurred. This is important because stagnant water can contain higher concentrations of certain contaminants, leading to inaccurate readings of water quality.

During water sampling, the objective is to collect a sample that is representative of the water in the distribution system. Opening the faucet and allowing the system to purge ensures that you are getting water that has not been influenced by any stagnant conditions, thereby providing a more accurate assessment of the water's quality. Following this step, the process would typically include flushing stagnant water, labeling the bottle, and eventually collecting the sample.