Water Samples

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is GRU collecting samples?

Every three years, GRU is required to conduct water quality sampling inside homes of a specific age to ensure that the water quality is satisfactory.
This is required of all public water systems by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
The homes that are sampled during this study have the highest risk of lead/copper detections due to the age of the home and household plumbing materials used during the time of construction.
GRU has been conducting lead and copper sampling on these homes for 25 years and has continued to meet drinking water quality standards with each sampling round.

Why are some homes being sampled for a second time?

During Round One, GRU had some customers report that they had minimal water use during the stagnation period. GRU is asking customers to resample and to please ensure no water is used (including flushing toilets and watering yards) for six hours before the sample is collected.
GRU has some concerns with how the samples were preserved during the Round One sample collection. For this reason, GRU is resampling to ensure that the sample collection and preservation methods are strictly followed to ensure accurate and representative results.
GRU apologizes for the inconvenience, but appreciates your help in this important monitoring effort.

GRU appreciates your help in this important monitoring effort to demonstrate the safety of the water inside homes.
This is a required sampling for GRU, and we would like to show you our appreciation for your help with this important monitoring effort.
If you collect your sample and notify GRU that it is ready for pick up by Sept. 6, GRU will credit you $50 on your utility bill.
If you collect your sample and notify GRU that it is ready for pick-up by Sept. 13, GRU will credit you $25 on your utility bill.

What does the customer need to do?

Locate your sample kit that GRU left on the front door (call us at 352-393-1635 if you didn’t receive one). The kit includes:

Using the sample container provided, collect a “first draw” (see below) sample of cold water from the kitchen sink.
Use the Sharpie to label the bottle with your address and date and time of sample.
Notify GRU that the sample has been collected (call 352-393-1602, leave a message, if needed).Place bottle into Ziploc bag and leave on front porch for GRU to pick up

How do I collect a “first draw” sample?

The “first draw” is the first volume of water used after a specified period of no water use.
For this sampling effort, the water must be unused for six to 18 hours before the sample is collected.
No water can be used during the stagnation period – including no toilet flushing or lawn watering.
Examples of first draws:

Example 1: Let water sit while everyone is at work/school and first person home fills container with cold water from the kitchen sink.
Example 2: Let water sit overnight and first person up fills container with cold water from the kitchen sink.