Waterra eDNA Filters for water sampling

There is interest in querying some surface water bodies as to the presence of certain organisms. Surface water bodies such a ponds, streams and lakes can be sampled using Waterra eDNA filters by pumping water from that body through the filter. DNA in the water is captured by the filter and can be preserved for extraction in a laboratory setting.

Waterra eDNA Filters are manufactured in our clean room facility in Alberta, Canada. An advantage of using Waterra eDNA filters is that the large surface area of the filter allows large volumes of water to be run through. Samples up to 100 liters or more, depending on the turbidity of the water increase the odds of capturing eDNA of the target species.

Sample collection techniques:

Simply plug a Waterra eDNA filter into your suction pump tubing and place the filter inlet end into the water body to be sampled. Run the designated volume of water through the inline disposable filter capturing particulate matter including eDNA in the filter.

Waterra offers battery-operated peristaltic pumps which were designed for field use. We recommend that the peristaltic tubing be connected to another length of LDPE or HDPE tubing which in turn has a filter installed at the end. By connecting the filter at the intake end, the length of PE tubing and the peristaltic tubing itself do not contact the captured eDNA. This mitigates the need to change out the tubing for each sample.

If this is impractical, then the filter can be inserted between the peristaltic tubing and a disposable length of tubing.

Once the desired volume is processed, the filter is carefully drained from the outlet side so as not to lose particulate captured in the filter. A buffer solution is typically added to preserve the eDNA although freezing and drying are alternate preservation methods. Fit on a Buffer end cap tightly on the inlet side. Fill the filter with the desired buffer to preserve the DNA and fit the second Buffer end cap to trap the Buffer in the filter. The Waterra end plugs retain the buffer and eDNA for further processing.

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