ISO 5667-5-2006 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 5667-5:2006 — Water quality — Sampling — Part 5: Guidance on sampling of drinking water from treatment works and piped distribution systems. Provides guidance on principles and techniques for sampling water intended for human consumption from municipal and similar distribution systems, including considerations for sampling in large buildings and in investigations of system defects or emergencies.

Abstract

Establishes principles to be applied to techniques for sampling drinking (potable) water in continuous supply from treatment works and piped distribution systems. The document is confined to distribution-system sampling (up to and including the point of consumption) and excludes sampling of source waters, non-continuous supplies, bottled beverages and bulk storage on transport. It also covers sampling situations arising from system investigations or emergencies where operative safety is not compromised.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed).
• Publication date: April 2006.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.060.20, 13.060.45.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2006).
• Number of pages: 17 pages.

These bibliographic and lifecycle details are recorded on the ISO catalogue entry for ISO 5667-5:2006. The publication was reviewed and confirmed in 2025 and therefore the 2006 version remains current.

Scope

Applies to sampling of water intended for human consumption drawn from treatment works and piped distribution systems in continuous supply, covering sampling up to the point of consumption (including within large buildings). Not intended for sampling of source waters (groundwater, surface impoundments), non-continuous supplies (for example road tankers), bottled beverages or bulk storage on transport, nor for sampling products produced using drinking water. Also not intended for sampling of vending-machine dispensed unsealed cups. Guidance may also be applied to sampling during investigations of system faults or emergencies provided safety is ensured.

Key topics and requirements

• Selection of representative sampling points in treatment works and distribution networks.
• Procedures for obtaining samples at the point of consumption and within buildings (including considerations for stagnant or intermittent flows).
• Instructions on sample volumes, containers and immediate handling to avoid contamination or change in analyte concentrations.
• Guidance on documentation, labelling, chain of custody and recording of site conditions (date/time, flow, temperature, residual disinfectant, etc.).
• Health and safety considerations for sampling operatives and equipment decontamination.
• Guidance on sampling during investigations, system defects and emergency situations (with attention to operative safety and representativeness).

Typical use and users

Used by water utility sampling teams, environmental laboratories, public health authorities, consultants and building facility managers for planning and performing representative drinking-water sampling from treatment works and distribution systems. Also referenced in regulatory compliance checks, incident investigations and in setting internal sampling procedures.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 5667 series (Water quality — Sampling). Commonly used alongside other parts of the series such as Part 1 (sampling programme design), Part 3 (preservation and handling), Part 4 (lakes), Part 6 (rivers and streams) and other domain-specific parts covering sludges, sediments and quality assurance. National adoptions and related EN/BS adoptions exist for many parts of the series.

Keywords

water quality; sampling; drinking water; potable water; distribution systems; treatment works; sample handling; sampling programme; chain of custody; sampling safety.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 5667-5:2006 is an International Standard that gives guidance on sampling drinking (potable) water from treatment works and piped distribution systems for the purposes of quality assessment and investigation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers selection of sampling points in distribution systems, procedures for taking representative samples up to the point of consumption (including within buildings), sample handling and documentation, and sampling during investigations or emergencies (when safe). It explicitly excludes source-water sampling, bottled beverages and bulk transport storage.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Water utilities, environmental and public-health laboratories, regulatory bodies, consultants and facility managers responsible for drinking-water monitoring, incident investigation and sampling programme design.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The edition is ISO 5667-5:2006 (Edition 2, April 2006). The ISO catalogue entry indicates the 2006 publication was reviewed and confirmed in 2025 and therefore remains current. Users should verify national adoptions or newer revisions before application.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 5667 is a multi-part series on water-quality sampling; Part 5 is the drinking-water/distribution-systems guidance. Other parts address programme design, preservation and handling, sampling of lakes, rivers, groundwaters, wastes, sludges and related topics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Drinking water, potable water, sampling, distribution system, treatment works, sample handling, sampling programme, water quality.