In the context of water sampling, what does chain of custody refer to?

Chain of custody refers to the handling and documentation of a sample from its collection to its testing. This concept is crucial in ensuring the integrity of water samples and maintaining their reliability for analysis. The process includes detailed records that track who collected the sample, when it was collected, where it was collected, how it was transported, and who handled it at each step.

Documentation is key to legal and regulatory compliance, especially in situations where the results may be used in enforcement actions or litigation. Having a clear chain of custody helps to establish the authenticity of the sample, ensuring that it has not been tampered with or altered, thus providing credible data for environmental assessments or public health evaluations. This thorough process allows for accountability and traceability throughout the lifecycle of the sample.

While managing sample storage, labeling, and sealing samples are important aspects of sample handling, they do not encompass the full scope and importance of chain of custody, which is specifically focused on the documentation and tracking of samples throughout the entire process.