Where should routine bacteriological samples be taken from?

Routine bacteriological samples should be taken from the customer's tap to ensure that the water quality is safe and meets health standards at the point of use. Collecting samples directly from the tap allows for the assessment of the water that consumers actually receive and drink. This is critical because contamination could occur during the distribution process, and sampling at this endpoint helps to identify any issues that might affect public health.

Testing water from the customer's tap reveals the overall effectiveness of the water treatment and distribution processes, ensuring that the water remains free from harmful microorganisms once it leaves treatment and reaches the end-users. This method assesses the water's safety in the environment where it is commonly used and consumed.

In contrast, sampling from the control room, main supply line, or treatment facility could miss localized contamination that may occur in the network of pipes or at the customer level, which is why those locations are not ideal for routine bacteriological sampling.