A system for acquiring a fluid sample from a flow pipe, comprising a sampling probe placed within the flow pipe, a curved separating pipe in fluid communication with the sampling probe, the separating pipe having formed therein an inwardly-opening lengthwise channel along the outside curve thereof, the separating pipe terminating in a sample area, and a lengthwise inwardly-opening sample passage in fluid communication between at least a portion of the sample area and a sample port, the sample passage being formed substantially opposite the channel, whereby inertial effects induced in the separating pipe cause relatively higher density inorganic and dead organic material to funnel into the channel and out a non-sample drain formed in the sample area substantially opposite the separating pipe while allowing live organisms to navigate the sample passage and out the sample port.