What might happen if a water sample is not delivered to the lab within the required time frame?

When a water sample is not delivered to the laboratory within the required time frame, the results may be compromised due to various factors. Water samples can undergo physical, chemical, and biological changes over time, which can alter the composition of the sample. For example, certain contaminants might degrade, or microbial growth may occur, leading to inaccurate test results.

Each type of analysis has specific holding times that are critical for ensuring accuracy—delays can result in a sample that no longer reflects the original conditions or concentrations of substances at the time of collection. Consequently, the integrity of the data collected may be questioned, and decisions made based on such compromised results could be flawed, potentially leading to health and safety risks or regulatory issues.

While there may be procedures in place for rejecting samples that arrive too late (which would align with what another option suggests), the primary concern is that even if accepted, delayed samples could yield results that do not truly represent the water quality at the time of sampling. Thus, the emphasis on the potential for compromised results highlights the importance of timely delivery in maintaining data integrity.