TITLE: Wastewater Sample Collection - Moore Swab and Grab Sample Methods 
AUTHORS: Jamie  VanTassell, Julia    Raymond, Marlene K Wolfe, Pengbo   Liu, Christine  Moe

[DESCRIPTION]
This protocol describes  materials and methods that can be employed in the field to collect Moore swabs and/or grab samples for wastewater sample collection. The materials and methods described herein are meant to provide guidelines, examples, and tips for various methods of wastewater collection; however, these techniques can be adapted and modified depending on the setting and goals of the particular project or program.

This protocol makes note of composite sampling instructions but is focused on situations where installation and operation of a composite sampler is not feasible. 

[STEPS]
SECTION: Moore Swab Assembly
1. Cut pieces of cotton gauze approximately 120 cm long by 15 cm wide.

SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 1
4. Remove the manhole cover using a manhole cover hook or magnetic manhole lifter.


 

SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 1
5. Tie fishing line around a clean Moore swab. 
 

SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 1
6. Lower the Moore swab into the open manhole until it is submerged in the wastewater stream.
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 1
7.  
Secure the other end of the fishing line so that it is easy and safe to retrieve during the next visit when the swab will be collected. 


 

 

SECTION: Moore Swab Assembly
2. Push the ends of the rectangle into an accordion shape.
SECTION: Moore Swab Assembly
3. Firmly tie the center with a segment of fishing line to form a butterfly shape.

  

SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 2
11. Remove the manhole cover.
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 2
12. Retrieve the Moore swab by pulling up the fishing line. 
 

SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 2
10. Using the permanent marker, label the collection bag with appropriate identifying information (e.g., manhole ID, address, nearby landmark, etc.) and collection date to ensure the sample is matched with the correct site and collection date.
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 2
13. Place the swab inside the labeled collection bag.
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 2
14. Cut the fishing line from the swab.
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 2
15. Seal the collection bag.
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 2
16. Place the collection bag in a cooler with ice or ice pack(s).
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 2
17. Return the manhole cover to its original closed position.
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 2
18. Store all the samples in a cooler throughout the collection day and during transport to the laboratory.
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 1
8. Return the manhole cover to its original closed position to prevent accidents or injuries from occurring.
SECTION: Moore Swab Sample Collection - Day 1
9. Leave the Moore swab in the wastewater stream for 1440 min +/- 6 hours.
 




SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
19. Label the collection bottle using a permanent marker and removable tape with appropriate identifying information (e.g., manhole ID, address, nearby landmark, etc.) and collection date to ensure the sample is matched with the correct site and collection date.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
20. Remove the manhole cover using a manhole cover hook or magnetic manhole lifter.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
21. The actual sample collection process will depend on the sampling apparatus that the group decides to use. Three different methods are provided herein for groups in different settings and with various resources: Step 22) Metal bucket and rope; Step 23) Long-handled water sample dipper; and 24) Composite sampler or peristaltic pump.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
25. Place the labeled 1-L bottle in a cooler with ice or ice pack(s).
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
26. Return the manhole cover to its original closed position.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
27. Store all the samples in a cooler throughout the collection day and during transport to the laboratory.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
22. Metal bucket and rope method:        
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23. Long-handled water sample dipper or a painter’s pole rigged with a “seat” for the 1-L bottle to sit in:

SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
24. Composite sampler or peristaltic pump
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
24.1. Secure clean tubing in the tubing housing of the composite sampler or peristaltic pump. Note: there should be one long end of tubing that will be lowered into the wastewater stream and one short end that will pump wastewater into the 1-L bottle.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
24.2. Lower the long end of the tubing down into the wastewater stream.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
24.3. 
Begin pumping the wastewater using the controls on the composite sampler or peristaltic pump.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
24.4. Place the short end of the tubing in the 1-L bottle.


SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
24.5. Pump until the 1-L bottle is full.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
24.7. Dispose of the tubing in a biohazard bag or safely seal the tubing in a bag and store until the next sample collection event at that particular site. Note: do not use the same tubing for a different site due to cross-contamination.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
24.6. Turn off the pump using the controls.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23.1. Place the 1-L bottle into the seat attached to the painter’s pole.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23.3. Holding the painter’s pole securely, lower the bottle into the wastewater stream until it is full.

SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23.2. Unscrew the lid of the 1-L bottle and set aside in a safe location where it will not accidentally fall into the manhole.

SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23.8. Disinfect the seat attached to the painter’s pole with disinfectant wipes.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23.7. Remove 1-L bottle from the seat attachment.

SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23.6. Wipe the outside of the 1-L bottle with disinfectant wipes.

SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23.5. Screw the lid onto the 1-L bottle until it is fully closed.

SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23.4. Slowly lift the painter’s pole up out of the manhole.

SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
23.9. Tie a bag around the end of the painter’s pole to prevent drippage during transport until it is time to collect the next grab sample.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
22.1. Lower the metal bucket into the manhole until it is submerged in the wastewater stream. 
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
22.6. Place the metal bucket in a clean bag until it is time to collect the next grab sample.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
22.5. Wipe the inside and outside of the metal bucket with disinfectant wipes, bleach, and 70% ethanol.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
22.4. Repeat until the 1-L bottle is full.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
22.3. Pour wastewater into a clean, autoclaved 1-L bottle.
SECTION: Grab Sample Collection
22.2. Slowly raise the bucket until it is out of the manhole.