Arkansas Department of Health
Center for Local Public Health - Environmental Health Branch - Engineering Section

The ADH provides precise guidelines for taking the samples, to ensure that they provide an accurate picture of water quality. The bacteriological samples are taken monthly by the water system operator from the water distribution system. The number of bacteriological samples and their locations are determined by ADH based upon the population served by the water system and the layout of the distribution system. The water samples for pesticides, industrial chemicals, radioactive elements, nitrates, and other inorganic chemicals are collected from "finished" water by ADH personnel.