What is one way to ensure that a water sample remains uncontaminated during collection?

Using sterile containers is crucial in preventing contamination during the collection of water samples. Sterile containers are specifically designed to be free of any microorganisms or chemical residues that could alter the integrity of the sample. When you use sterile containers, you minimize the risk of introducing external contaminants from the container itself, which could lead to inaccurate test results and misinterpretation of water quality.

In contrast, collecting water from a tap, filling multiple samples at once, or using non-sterile equipment can introduce various forms of contamination. Water taken directly from a tap could carry contaminants from the plumbing system or the faucet itself. Collecting multiple samples at once can increase the chance of cross-contamination between the samples if not handled properly. Lastly, using non-sterile equipment can directly introduce bacteria, chemicals, or other unwanted substances into the sample, compromising the analytical results and the overall quality of the sample collected.