Fill the container almost to the top, leaving about an inch of air (so the bacteria have room to breathe—they’re rude guests, but we’re not monsters). Screw the cap on immediately. Yes, immediately. That calm, floating dust particle you see? It’s probably not a ninja, but treat it like one.
How to Test Water for Bacteria
Here’s the kicker: you need to get that sample to a lab within 24 to 30 hours, and keep it cold—like, “this is a fancy cheese” cold. If you leave it in a hot car, the bacteria will multiply faster than rumors at a family reunion. Your water will then test positive for everything including loyalty to the Roman Empire.
