Haloacetic Acids – Drinking Water

Laboratory Fee Schedule
Procedure: EZZ0088A

Synonym(s): Haloacetic acids (HAA) in Water
Requisition Form G-22
Test Description Haloacetic acids, EPA method 552.2
Pre-Approval Needed N/A
Supplemental Information Required N/A
Supplemental Form(s) N/A
Performed on Specimens from (sources) Environmental
Sample/Specimen Type for Testing Drinking Water
Minimum Volume/Size Required Two 60 mL Amber glass vials with Teflon (PTFE) lined screw-caps, NO head space allowed
Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping
  • Add 6 mg ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) to an empty vial (to dechlorinate).
  • Open the tap and allow the system to flush until the water temperature stabilizes, at least 5 minutes. Turn flow down to a smooth, pencil thin stream.
  • Remove cap from the bottle, tilt, and place under stream.
  • Fill the bottle with sample water gently, until the meniscus is level with the bottle top.
  • Carefully place the cap on the bottle, eliminating any air.
  • Mix gently by hand for 1 minute. 
  • DO NOT SHAKE. 
  • Store at 4°C.
  • Store samples in the dark.
Transport Medium N/A
Specimen Labeling
  • Label each bottle with a water proof marker.
  • Pre-printing labels is acceptable. 
  • Sample identification must match submission form.
Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements
  • Ship according to Dangerous Goods Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49.
  • Ship on ice (4°C).
  • Store samples in the dark.
Method EPA 552.2
Turn-around Time Samples must be extracted by the lab within 14 days of collection.
Interferences/Limitations
  • Be careful not to add too much dechlorinating agent to the sample because this may cause interference in the analysis.
  • Matrix interferences may be caused by contaminants that are coextracted from the sample. The extent of matrix interferences may vary considerably from sample to sample.
Common Causes for Rejection Insufficient quantity, unacceptable specimen type or source, improper shipping conditions, expired media or collection container, discrepancies between specimen label and submission form, and/or incomplete or missing submission form
Additional Information

If the chlorine residual is >5 mg/L, additional dechlorinating agent is required. For every 5 mg/L of chlorine above the initial 5 mg/L add an additional 6 mg of NH4Cl.

For example: a sample with 10 mg/L chlorine would require 12 mg (6+6) of NH4Cl.

Contact the laboratory at (512) 776-7587 for currently supported analyte list.