What Comes in an ETR Water Test Kit: A Full Breakdown

When your ETR Lab’s water test kit arrives, the first question is usually simple: what’s in the box, and what do you need to do before collecting your sample?

Our kits include the collection materials and instructions for the specific test you ordered. Exact contents can vary because different analyses may require different bottles or handling steps. A bacteria test, for example, may not arrive with the same setup as a broader panel covering several groups of contaminants.

Here’s what you can expect to find in the box, what each item is for, and what to check before you start.

What’s Inside the Box

ETR Lab’s current water test kits include four core components:

• Sampling instructions for your specific test
• Pre-labeled collection bottle or bottles
• A sample information form
• A prepaid return shipping label

The exact number and type of bottles can vary by test, so treat everything in the box as part of the same set. The instructions tell you how to collect your sample, the bottles are selected for the analyses being performed, the form gives ETR Labs the information needed to process the sample, and the return label gets it back to the lab.

Sample Bottles and Labels

The number, size, sterility, and other requirements of your sample containers depend on what ETR Lab is testing for.

That’s why it’s important to use the bottles that come with your kit rather than substituting your own container. Different analyses can have different requirements, and using the wrong bottle can affect whether the sample can be tested as intended.

Check each label against the instructions before collecting anything, especially if your kit contains more than one bottle.

Instructions and the Sample Information Form

The included instructions walk you through how to collect and return the sample for the test you ordered. Read them before opening or filling any bottle because collection steps can vary between analyses.

The sample information form gives us the details we need to identify and process your sample once it reaches the lab. Complete it according to the instructions that came with your kit.

A few minutes spent reading everything first can save you from having to recollect a sample later.

Prepaid Return Shipping

ETR Labs includes a prepaid return shipping label with its water test kits, so you don’t have to arrange return postage separately.

Some analyses may have specific timing, temperature, packaging, or other handling requirements. Follow the instructions that came with your particular kit rather than assuming every sample should be returned the same way.

If you want to see what happens from the time you order a kit through shipping and receiving your report, read our guide to mail-in water testing.

What Should You Check Before Collecting Your Sample?

Before you collect anything, take a few minutes to make sure you’re ready.

• Read the instructions for your specific test.
• Confirm which tap or sampling point you should use.
• Check that the expected bottles, sample form, and return label are present.
• Look for any test-specific collection, handling, timing, or shipping requirements.

If something appears to be missing or doesn’t match the test you ordered, contact ETR before collecting your sample rather than trying to work around it.

How to Use What’s in the Kit

At a high level, the process is straightforward:

1. Read the instructions.
2. Collect your sample using the supplied bottle or bottles.
3. Complete the required sample information.
4. Package the sample according to the instructions.
5. Return it using the provided shipping method.

The exact collection procedure may differ depending on the test, which is why the instructions in your kit should always take priority over general advice.

Our guidance for private well owners covers general sample collection principles if you want additional background.

Once your sample reaches ETR Lab, it moves into the laboratory testing process, from intake and preparation through analysis and reporting. You can read more about how ETR Laboratories tests your water step by step.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if something is missing from my kit?

Contact ETR Labs before collecting your sample. If a bottle, form, label, or another required item is missing, it’s better to confirm what you need first than risk collecting a sample that has to be repeated.

Can I use my own container instead of the one provided?

Use the supplied container instead. Container type, size, sterility, preservation, and other requirements can vary depending on the analysis being performed.

A household bottle or container from another test may not meet those requirements.

How long can I keep the kit before using it?

That can depend on the particular test and the containers or materials supplied with it, so there isn’t one shelf-life figure that applies to every ETR kit.

Check the instructions that came with your test or contact ETR if your kit has been sitting unused for a while.

Order Your Kit and See for Yourself

Our water test kits include the collection materials and instructions for the test you order, so you know what to use and how to return your sample.

If you’re not sure which test fits your water source or concern, reach out to us before ordering rather than choosing a panel at random.

Browse ETR Lab’s water test options to find the right one and get your kit on its way.