What should you do if a collected sample is contaminated?

Get ready for the New Mexico Water Sampling Certification Test. Access comprehensive flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for success!

When a collected water sample is found to be contaminated, the appropriate action is to discard it and recollect the sample according to established protocols. This ensures the integrity and reliability of the water quality data, which is crucial for accurate analysis and subsequent decision-making.

Contamination can arise from various sources, including improper handling, or environmental factors, and can significantly skew results. By discarding the contaminated sample and following proper sampling procedures, you maintain the validity of the testing process. This includes adhering to specific protocols that may involve decontaminating equipment, using appropriate preservative techniques, and ensuring that the new sample is collected under controlled conditions to avoid the same issues.

Other choices, such as storing the contaminated sample for future analysis, ignoring the contamination, or mixing it with a clean sample, compromise the data integrity and could lead to false conclusions. Effective water sampling relies on obtaining uncontaminated samples to ensure accurate assessments of water quality.

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