R-Card supplies will be provided by KYWW as funding allows. 

 
Where Support Hubs are established, the cards and pipettes will be available for pickup.  Otherwise, they will be mailed to samplers prior to each of the three annual sampling events.

Samplers also have the option to purchase supplies using the links to the left. If you purchase your own R-cards, please note the storage guidance from Roth Bioscience.

• R-CARDS© E. coli (3 cards/site needed)

• 1 mL pipette 

• Incubator

KYWW incubators for samples will be housed at Support Hubs, where available. Volunteers also have the option to purchase or make their own.

• Most egg incubators will work and can be purchased at farm supply stores. Watershed Watch is purchasing the Hova-Bator incubator.

• Homemade incubator also acceptable with proper temperature control (small cooler, light bulb, thermometer, e.g. 4W bulb in 1 cu. ft. cooler)

Instructions for DIY Incubator:  (SEE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON LEFT)

A small cooler or other type of insulated container with a lid may be used as an incubator. Uniform temperatures may be maintained using a small light bulb, such as a night light attached to an extension cord. Use a piece of cardboard or plastic to shield the sample plates from direct light. A thermostat is not needed. The number and/or wattage of bulbs may be adjusted to maintain the proper temperatures, depending on the ambient room temperature and size of incubator. For example, a 4-watt bulb in a 1 cubic-foot container usually makes a good incubator. A thermometer is needed to determine ambient incubator temperature. This can be obtained from the AWW water chemistry test kit or a dial thermometer found in garden centers and hardware stores. The thermometer should be placed within the incubator away from the heat source or inserted through the lid so temperature may be read without opening the container.