What action should be taken with strainers and aerators prior to sampling?

Before sampling, it is crucial to remove strainers and aerators to avoid contamination of the water sample. These components can trap debris and impurities that may alter the quality of the sample being taken. If they are left in place, there is a risk that the sample will include materials that do not represent the true condition of the water, leading to inaccurate test results.

The primary goal during water sampling is to obtain a true reflection of the water quality without interference from any added elements or materials. By removing these devices, the sample collected will solely represent the water itself, which is essential for effective testing and subsequent analysis. This practice aligns with standard protocols in water quality assessment, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the data gathered.

Cleaning strainers and aerators, or gathering their specifications, while important tasks in general maintenance and management, do not directly address the immediate concern of sample purity at the time of collection.