ASTM D7069-24

Standard Guide for Field Quality Assurance in a Groundwater Sampling Event

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Field QA demonstrates the effectiveness of field quality control procedures. Effective QA facilitates the collection of statistically significant data that is defendable scientifically and in a court of law. QA also involves the use of consistent procedures, increasing the validity of data comparison among sampling locations and events.  
4.2 This guide should be used by a professional or technician who has training or experience in groundwater sampling.
Note 1: The quality of the results produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the quality assurance (QA) methods that may be used to assure the validity of data obtained during the sampling of a groundwater monitoring well. QA is any action taken to ensure that performance requirements are met by following standards and procedures. Following QA practices becomes even more critical if the data must be validated in a court of law. Under certain conditions, it may be necessary to follow additional or different QA practices from those listed in this guide. QA practices should be based upon data quality objectives, site-specific conditions, and regulatory requirements.  
1.2 This standard addresses QA procedures used in the field and does not refer to laboratory QA procedures.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This standard provides guidance for selecting and performing various field QA procedures. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgement. Not all of the procedures are applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Mar-2024
• ICS: 13.060.45 - Examination of water in general
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.21 - Groundwater and Vadose Zone Investigations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7069-04(2015) - Standard Guide for Field Quality Assurance in a Groundwater Sampling Event
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM D6771-21 - Standard Practice for Low-Flow Purging and Sampling Used for Groundwater Monitoring
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM D7929-20 - Standard Guide for Selection of Passive Techniques for Sampling Groundwater Monitoring Wells
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2024

Overview

ASTM D7069-24: Standard Guide for Field Quality Assurance in a Groundwater Sampling Event provides essential guidance for ensuring high-quality, scientifically robust groundwater data during sampling events. Developed by ASTM International, this standard focuses on field quality assurance (QA) procedures rather than laboratory QA, emphasizing the importance of consistent, defendable, and comparable data collection. Its proper application is critical for environmental professionals and technicians tasked with groundwater monitoring, and especially important when data validity is required for regulatory or legal purposes.

Key Topics

• Field Quality Assurance (QA): Provides methods to verify that sampling activities meet performance and data quality objectives, making outcomes defensible and statistically significant.
• QA Sample Types: Discusses essential QA samples, such as:
  • Field duplicates
  • Field split samples
  • Equipment (rinsate) blanks
  • Field (ambient) blanks
  • Trip/travel blanks
  • Microbiological blanks
  • Temperature blanks
  • Matrix spikes
• Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP): Recommends development and adherence to a SAP to detail data quality objectives, types and number of QA samples, field procedures, documentation protocols, and decontamination requirements.
• Consistent Procedures: Stresses uniformity across sampling locations and events, ensuring data comparability and reliability over time.
• Personnel Competence & Safety: Emphasizes the need for trained personnel and the establishment of appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices during sampling.
• Documentation: Highlights real-time documentation of field activities, calibration records, and chain of custody forms to track sample integrity and workflow.

Applications

Implementing ASTM D7069-24 in groundwater sampling fieldwork serves a variety of environmental monitoring and compliance purposes, including:

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures sampling protocols align with federal, state, or local groundwater monitoring requirements, including hazardous waste site investigations and remediation projects.
• Litigation and Defensibility: Provides methodologies to support the scientific and legal defensibility of groundwater data.
• Environmental Assessment: Supports accurate assessment of groundwater quality changes over time by minimizing cross-contamination and data variability.
• Quality Control for Environmental Labs: While focused on field activities, it interfaces with laboratory QA requirements, supporting effective data chain-of-custody and sample handling.
• Site-Specific Adaptability: Offers a foundation for customizing QA practices based on project objectives and unique site conditions, such as varying contamination levels or regulatory needs.

Related Standards

ASTM D7069-24 is designed to work alongside several other ASTM standards that address specific aspects of groundwater sampling and quality assurance, including:

• ASTM D3740 - Practice for Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and Inspection of Soil and Rock.
• ASTM D653 - Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids.
• ASTM D5088/D5608 - Decontamination of Field Equipment at Waste and Low-Level Radioactive Waste Sites.
• ASTM D5903 - Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event.
• ASTM D6089 - Guide for Documenting a Groundwater Sampling Event.
• ASTM D6452/D6771 - Guides for Purging and Low-Flow Sampling Methods.
• ASTM D6517 - Guide for Field Preservation of Groundwater Samples.
• ASTM D6564 - Guide for Field Filtration of Groundwater Samples.
• ASTM D7929 - Guide for Passive Sampling Techniques in Groundwater Monitoring.

Keywords: Groundwater sampling, field quality assurance, environmental monitoring, QA/QC, sampling and analysis plan, compliance, ASTM D7069, groundwater data validation, environmental data defensibility.

By following ASTM D7069-24, practitioners can achieve reliable, consistent groundwater data collection essential for regulatory compliance, site characterization, and long-term environmental monitoring.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D7069 − 24
Standard Guide for
Field Quality Assurance in a Groundwater Sampling Event
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7069; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide covers the quality assurance (QA) methods 2.1 ASTM Standards:
that may be used to assure the validity of data obtained during D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
the sampling of a groundwater monitoring well. QA is any Fluids
action taken to ensure that performance requirements are met D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
by following standards and procedures. Following QA prac- Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
tices becomes even more critical if the data must be validated Used in Engineering Design and Construction
in a court of law. Under certain conditions, it may be necessary D5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
to follow additional or different QA practices from those listed Used at Waste Sites
in this guide. QA practices should be based upon data quality D5608 Practices for Decontamination of Sampling and Non
objectives, site-specific conditions, and regulatory require- Sample Contacting Equipment Used at Low Level Radio-
ments. active Waste Sites
D5903 Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater
1.2 This standard addresses QA procedures used in the field
Sampling Event
and does not refer to laboratory QA procedures.
D6089 Guide for Documenting a Groundwater Sampling
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Event
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D6452 Guide for Purging Methods for Wells Used for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Ground Water Quality Investigations
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
D6517 Guide for Field Preservation of Ground Water
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Samples
1.4 This standard provides guidance for selecting and
D6564 Guide for Field Filtration of Groundwater Samples
performing various field QA procedures. This document cannot
D6771 Practice for Low-Flow Purging and Sampling Used
replace education or experience and should be used in con-
for Groundwater Monitoring
junction with professional judgement. Not all of the procedures
D7929 Guide for Selection of Passive Techniques for Sam-
are applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
pling Groundwater Monitoring Wells
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, 3. Terminology
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “standard” in the
specification, refer to Terminology D653.
title of this document means only that the document has been
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
3.2.1 Information on the purposes of the various QA
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
samples is provided in Section 5.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.2 equipment blank or rinsate blank, n—deionized water
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
that is passed sequentially through each component of the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
equipment system used for collecting and processing the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
environmental samples.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.2.3 field blank or ambient blank, n—laboratory water that
is exposed to the same environmental conditions as the
samples.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
Vadose Zone Investigations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 15, 2024. Published March 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D7069–04 (2015). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D7069-24. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7069 − 24
3.2.3.1 Discussion—Both terms are used by different enti- collected should be specified in the Sampling and Analysis
ties and are included here for completeness. Plan (SAP). QA samples that are collected from monitoring
wells should be obtained using the same method of collection
3.2.4 field duplicates, n—a set of samples that are collected
as the other samples. The same preservatives should be used
close in time and space and in a manner so that the samples are
for both the groundwater samples and the associated QA
thought to be representative of the ambient water composition
groundwater samples.
at the time of collection.
5.1.1 Field Duplicate—The field duplicate is an indepen-
3.2.5 field split samples, n—samples obtained by dividing
dent sample collected as close as possible to the location of a
one sample into two or more subsamples either before or after
sample that is part of the sampling scheme at approximately the
sample preservation and are subject to identical handling and
same time as the sampling scheme sample. It is a widely
analysis.
accepted practice to collect one set of field duplicates for every
3.2.6 matrix spike, n—a groundwater sample to which a
ten samples or at least one set per sampling event if less than
spike solution of known concentrations of selected analytes is
ten samples are collected. The field duplicate is analyzed for
added either in the field or in the laboratory.
the same parameters as the original sample and therefore may
3.2.7 microbiological blank or sterile container blank,
comprise a set of sample containers. Duplicates should be
n—deionized water in a sterile container that is taken to the
collected in the same order each time, such as following the
field and opened prior to being shipped to the laboratory with
collection of the original groundwater sample. This QA sample
the other groundwater samples.
is used to assess the analytical precision by comparing the
relative percent difference in values between the sample
3.2.8 quality assurance (QA), n—actions taken to increase
concentration and the sample duplicate concentration. The field
the likelihood that standards and procedures are adhered to and
duplicate sample results are also an indication of the reproduc-
that delivered products or services meet performance require-
ibility of the sampling procedures.
ments (reference 1).
5.1.2 Field Split Samples—Field split samples are collected
3.2.9 temperature blank or temperature control,
into a single container, then split between two or more
n—containerized water that is kept with the samples from the
containers. Splits should not be taken when the action of
time of collection until the samples are refrigerated at the
splitting could affect the concentration of the analyte(s) of
laboratory.
interest. Results of split sample analyses can be used to
3.2.9.1 Discussion—Both terms are used by different enti-
compare the data generated by different laboratories or differ-
ties and are included here for completeness.
ent analytical methods.
3.2.10 trip blank or travel blank, n—laboratory-grade water
5.1.3 Field Blank or Ambient Blank—The field or ambient
that is poured into the sample bottle at the laboratory prior to
blank is a sample consisting of laboratory-supplied water that
the sampling event and remains unopened as is travels with the
is intended to mimic as closely as is practical the sample-
sample containers to the field and is stored and shipped with
collection (see 5.1) and environmental conditions as the actual
the samples.
groundwater samples. Field/ambient blanks are typically col-
3.2.10.1 Discussion—Both terms are used by different enti-
lected by pouring the laboratory-supplied water into the same
ties and are included here for completeness.
types of sample containers used for collecting the groundwater
samples (and with the same preservatives), not maintaining it
4. Significance and Use
in the original laboratory container used for transport of the
4.1 Field QA demonstrates the effectiveness of field quality
water.
control procedures. Effective QA facilitates the collection of
5.1.4 Equipment Blank or Rinsate Blank—This type of QA
statistically significant data that is defendable scientifically and
sample is a container of laboratory-supplied water that is
in a court of law. QA also involves the use of consistent
passed through each piece of sampling equipment after it has
procedures, increasing the validity of data comparison among
been decontaminated and directly placed into sample contain-
sampling locations and events.
ers that are the same as those being used in the monitoring
4.2 This guide should
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7069 − 04 (Reapproved 2015) D7069 − 24
Standard Guide for
Field Quality Assurance in a Groundwater Sampling Event
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7069; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This guide covers the quality assurance (QA) methods that may be used to assure the validity of data obtained during the
sampling of a groundwater monitoring well. QA is any action taken to ensure that performance requirements are met by following
standards and procedures. Following QA practices becomes even more critical if the data must be validated in a court of law. Under
certain conditions, it may be necessary to follow additional or different QA practices from those listed in this guide. QA practices
should be based upon data quality objectives, site-specific conditions, and regulatory requirements.
1.2 This standard addresses QA procedures used in the field and does not refer to laboratory QA procedures.
1.3 This standard also does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to safety, health, and
environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This standard provides guidance for selecting and performing various field QA procedures. This document cannot replace
education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgement. Not all of the procedures are applicable
in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique
aspects. The word “standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM
consensus process.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment Used at Waste Sites
D5608 Practices for Decontamination of Sampling and Non Sample Contacting Equipment Used at Low Level Radioactive
Waste Sites
D5903 Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and Vadose
Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015March 15, 2024. Published January 2015March 2024. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20102015 as
D7069–04 (2010). DOI: 10.1520/D7069-04R15.(2015). DOI: 10.1520/D7069-24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7069 − 24
D6089 Guide for Documenting a Groundwater Sampling Event
D6452 Guide for Purging Methods for Wells Used for Ground Water Quality Investigations
D6517 Guide for Field Preservation of Ground Water Samples
D6564 Guide for Field Filtration of Groundwater Samples
D6771 Practice for Low-Flow Purging and Sampling Used for Groundwater Monitoring
D7929 Guide for Selection of Passive Techniques for Sampling Groundwater Monitoring Wells
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this specification, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 Note that these are basic definitions. Information on the purposes of the various QA samples is provided in sectionSection
5.
3.2.2 equipment blank or rinsate blank, n—deionized water that is passed sequentially through each component of the equipment
system used for collecting and processing the environmental samples.
3.2.3 quality assurance (QA)—field blank or ambient blank, n—actions taken to ensure that standards and procedures are adhered
to and that delivered products or services meet performance requirements (reference 1).laboratory water that is exposed to the same
environmental conditions as the samples.
3.2.3.1 Discussion—
Both terms are used by different entities and are included here for completeness.
3.2.4 Field Duplicates—field duplicates, n—a set of samples that are collected close in time and space and in a manner so that
the samples are thought to be representative of the ambient water composition at the time of collection.
3.2.5 Field Split Samplesfield split samples, —n—samples obtained by dividing one sample into two or more subsamples either
before or after sample preservation and are subject to identical handling and analysis.
3.2.6 matrix spike, n—a groundwater sample to which a spike solution of known concentrations of selected analytes is added either
in the field or in the laboratory.
3.2.7 microbiological blank or sterile container blank, n—deionized water in a sterile container that is taken to the field and
opened prior to being shipped to the laboratory with the other groundwater samples.
3.2.8 quality assurance (QA), n—actions taken to increase the likelihood that standards and procedures are adhered to and that
delivered products or services meet performance requirements (reference 1).
3.2.9 Field Blank or Ambient Blank—temperature blank or temperature control, n—laboratorycontainerized water that is exposed
to the same environmental conditions as the samples.kept with the samples from the time of collection until the samples are
refrigerated at the laboratory.
3.2.9.1 Discussion—
Both terms are used by different entities and are included here for completeness.
3.2.6 Equipment Blank or Rinsate Blank—deionized water that is passed sequentially through each component of the equipment
system used for collecting and processing the environmental samples.
3.2.10 Trip Blank or Travel Blank—trip blank or travel blank, n—laboratory-grade water that is poured into the sample bottle at
the laboratory prior to the sampling event and remains unopened as is travels with the sample containers to the field and is stored
and shipped with the samples.
3.2.10.1 Discussion—
Both terms are used by different entities and are included here for completeness.
3.2.8 Microbiological Blank or Sterile Container Blank—deionized water in a sterile container that is taken to the field and opened
prior to being shipped to the laboratory with the other groundwater samples.
D7069 − 24
3.2.9 Temperature Blank or Temperature Control—containerized water that is kept with the samples from the time of collection
until the samples are refrigerated at the laboratory.
3.2.10 Matrix Spike—a groundwater sample to which a spike solution of known concentrations of selected analytes is added either
in the field or in the laboratory.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Field QA demonstrates the effectiveness of field quality control procedures. Effective QA facilitates the collection of
statistically significant data that is defendable scientifically and in a court of law. QA also involves the use of consistent procedures,
increasing the validity of data comparison among sampling locations and events.
4.2 This guide should be used by a professional or technician who has training or experience in groundwater sampling.
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of personnel performing it, and the suitability of the
equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective
testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable
results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
5. Procedure
5.1 Field QA Samples—There are several types of QA samples including duplicates, blanks, temperature controls, and matrix
spikes. The numbers and types of QA samples to be collected should be specified in the Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP). QA
samples that are collected from monitoring wells should be obtained using the same method of collection as the other samples.
The same preservatives should be used for both the groundwater samples and the associated QA groundwater samples.
5.1.1 Field Duplicate—The field duplicate is an independent sample collected as close as possible to the location of a sample that
is part of the sampling scheme at approximately the same time as the sampling scheme sample. It is a widely accepted practice
to collect one set of field duplicates for every ten samples or at least one set per sampling event if less than ten samples are
collected. The field duplicate is analyzed for the same parameters as the original sample and therefore may comprise a set of sample
containers. Duplicates should be collected in the same order each time, such as following the collection of the original groundwater
sample. This QA sample is used to assess the analytical precision by comparing the relative percent difference in values between
the sample concentration and the sample duplicate concentration. The field duplicate sample results are also an indicat
...