WRRC - Water Resources Research Center

Field Manual for Water Quality Sampling
ENGLISH and SPANISH

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreward & Acknowledgements

PHASE I. Planning

STEP 1. Select Potential Water-Quality Sampling Stations

A. Reviewing Existing Information

B. Permission to Inspect, Construct and Survey

C. Establishing a Sampling Station

STEP 2. Plan for Sampling Across the U.S./Mexico Border

STEP 3. Prepare a Sample Plan

PHASE II. Preparation

STEP 4. Obtain Containers and Preservatives

STEP 5. Assemble and Check Field Sampling Equipment

STEP 6. Clean Sampling Equipment

STEP 7. Calibrate Field Equipment

STEP 8. Locate and Describe the Sampling Station

A. Physical Positioning

B. Determining Station Coordinates

C. Photographing the Station

PHASE III. Sampling

STEP 9. Follow Health and Safety Guidelines

STEP 10. Keep Complete Records

A. Recording Minimum Set of Data Elements

B. Keeping Field Notes

STEP 11. Collect Samples for Water Quality

A. Chain of Custody Procedures

B. Collection of Surface Water Samples

1. River and Stream Sampling

a. Field Parameters

b. Streamflow Measurement

c. Composite Sampling

d. Grab Sampling

2. Pond and Lake Sampling

a. Field Parameters

b. Onshore Sampling

c. Offshore Sampling

C. Collection of Ground Water Samples

1. Sampling Monitoring Wells

a. Open and Measure the Well

b. Check for Trapped Vapors

c. Measure Water Level

d. Plumb Well Depth

e. Measure and Sample the Oil/Solvent Interface

f. Purge and Sample the Monitoring Well

2. Sampling Production Wells

3. Sampling Domestic Wells

D. Measuring Total Alkalinity, Bicarbonate and Carbonate

E. Handling Samples for Water-Quality Analysis

1. Recommended Order for Obtaining Samples

2. Sampling Procedures for Common Contaminants

a. Radon ; b. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) ; c. Semi-Volatile Organics ; d. Pesticides/PCBs ; e. Phenols ; f. Oil and Grease ; g. Metals (Except Mercury) ; h. Mercury ; i. Cyanide ; j. Gross Alpha and Gross Beta ; k. Uranium, Radium ; l. Bacteria ; m. Viruses

STEP 12. Obtain Quality Control Samples
STEP 13. Pack and Ship Samples
STEP 14. Dispose of Purge and Decontamination Waters

Foreward & Acknowledgements

References

Glossary of Acronyms

Contact List

Units, Abbreviations and Conversion Factors