If a water sample is delayed for analysis regarding chlorine residual, what is the maximum allowable delay for testing?

The maximum allowable delay for testing a water sample regarding chlorine residual is 15 minutes. This timeframe is important because chlorine is a highly reactive disinfectant that can dissipate quickly when exposed to air and light. If the sample is not analyzed within this short window, the chlorine level may decrease, leading to inaccurate readings and potentially misleading conclusions about the water's treatment efficacy.

Maintaining the integrity of chlorine levels in water samples is essential for ensuring safe drinking water and effective disinfection practices. Testing beyond this timeframe could fail to accurately reflect the actual chlorine residual present in the water supply at the time of sampling. Therefore, adherence to the 15-minute requirement is critical for obtaining reliable data in water quality assessments.