Working Report, 11/2006 – Radioactive isotopes in Danish drinking water

Radioactive isotopes in Danish drinking water

5 Sampling

Drinking water samples for total alpha and beta measurements were collected in two-litre plastic bottles. Before filling the bottles, the water was allowed to flush for some time. Once returned to the laboratory, the water samples were treated as soon as practically possible. The time between sampling and evaporation ranged from 2 to 14 days.

Larger water samples of 25-50 litres were collected at selected water works and individual borings and used for analyses of uranium and radium.

Samples for radon analysis (10 ml) were taken at water works before and after treatment (aeration/oxidation) and transferred directly into counting vials ready for analysis.