ASTM D5474-93(2006)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selection of Data Elements for Groundwater Investigations
Standard Guide for Selection of Data Elements for Groundwater Investigations
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Data are gathered at groundwater sites for many purposes. Each purpose requires a different combination of data elements. However, it is mandatory that every groundwater site include a minimum set of data elements to uniquely identify that site by precisely locating with coordinates and political regimes, absolutely identifying the owner and data source, and clearly defining the basic site characteristics. This information is described in Practice D5254.
As a part of a groundwater project, each site requires additional data elements, beyond the minimum set, to assist in the interpretation of the local and areal hydrology. As an example, for a hydrologic reconnaissance study of a groundwater basin, each well or spring site requires basic information concerning construction, water level, yield, geology, and water chemistry. Additional information is needed if the project is a waste facility investigation, usually to satisfy local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the selection of data elements for the documentation of groundwater sites. The data elements are described in four ASTM standards outlining information that may be collected at groundwater sites. Examples of specific investigations are given with the logic of why to select individual and combinations of data elements to meet the requirements of the studies.
Note 1—A groundwater site is any source, location, or sampling station capable of producing water or hydrologic data from a natural stratum from below the surface of the earth. A source or facility can include a well, spring or seep, and drain or tunnel (nearly horizontal in orientation). Other sources, such as excavations, driven devices, bore holes, ponds, lakes, and sinkholes, that can be shown to be hydraulically connected to the groundwater, are appropriate for the use intended.
Note 2—The four ASTM standards that describe the data elements for groundwater are Practice D5254 and Guides D5408, D5409, and D5410.
1.2 Systematic and consistent data collection are necessary for the investigation of the availability and the protection or restoration of groundwater resources. The level of detail, precision and bias, and the type of data that need to be collected depend on the objective of the study, the expected complexity of the system, and the resources available for the investigation. This guide presents ideas on what information should be collected for specific studies, why certain data elements are mandatory, and the importance to current and future investigations of maintaining quality control on the collection and retention of these data. This guide focuses on those data elements that are gathered at the field-site location and are used to assist in interpreting the hydrology of the groundwater source and to meet regulatory requirements. Other analytical and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) considerations are addressed in other standards and beyond the scope of this guide.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be 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 throug...
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Designation: D5474 − 93(Reapproved 2006)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Data Elements for Groundwater Investigations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5474; 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 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This guide covers the selection of data elements for the
1.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information
documentation of groundwater sites. The data elements are
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
described in four ASTM standards outlining information that
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
may be collected at groundwater sites. Examples of specific
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
investigations are given with the logic of why to select
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
individual and combinations of data elements to meet the
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
requirements of the studies.
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
NOTE1—Agroundwatersiteisanysource,location,orsamplingstation
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
capableofproducingwaterorhydrologicdatafromanaturalstratumfrom
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
below the surface of the earth. A source or facility can include a well,
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
springorseep,anddrainortunnel(nearlyhorizontalinorientation).Other
sources, such as excavations, driven devices, bore holes, ponds, lakes, and
document means only that the document has been approved
sinkholes, that can be shown to be hydraulically connected to the
through the ASTM consensus process.
groundwater, are appropriate for the use intended.
NOTE 2—The fourASTM standards that describe the data elements for
2. Referenced Documents
groundwater are Practice D5254 and Guides D5408, D5409, and D5410.
1.2 Systematic and consistent data collection are necessary
2.1 ASTM Standards:
for the investigation of the availability and the protection or
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
restoration of groundwater resources. The level of detail,
Fluids
precision and bias, and the type of data that need to be
D5254 Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to
collected depend on the objective of the study, the expected
Identify a Ground-Water Site
complexity of the system, and the resources available for the
D5408 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
investigation. This guide presents ideas on what information
Groundwater Site; Part One—Additional Identification
should be collected for specific studies, why certain data
Descriptors
elements are mandatory, and the importance to current and
D5409 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
future investigations of maintaining quality control on the
Ground-Water Site; Part Two—Physical Descriptors
collection and retention of these data. This guide focuses on
D5410 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
those data elements that are gathered at the field-site location
Ground-Water Site;Part Three—Usage Descriptors
and are used to assist in interpreting the hydrology of the
groundwater source and to meet regulatory requirements.
3. Terminology
Other analytical and quality assurance/quality control (QA/
3.1 Definitions:
QC) considerations are addressed in other standards and
3.1.1 Except as listed as follows, all definitions are in
beyond the scope of this guide.
accordance with Terminology D653.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.2 code—a suggested abbreviation for a component, for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
example, “G” is the code suggested for the galvanized iron
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
component of data element casing material. The data element
is in the “casing record” record.
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM 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 July 1, 2006. Published August 2006. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D5474 – 93 (2000). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D5474-93R06. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5474 − 93 (2006)
3.1.3 component—a subdivision of a data element, for what data elements may be selected for a comprehensive
example, galvanized iron is one of 30 components suggested groundwater data file (Tables 1-4). When designing a ground-
for data element casing material. The data element is in the water data file, data elements from all four ASTM guides
casing record record. should be considered (see Note 2).Agencies or companies that
engage in widely diverse projects involving groundwater
3.1.4 data element—an individual segment of information
resources may require nearly all of the data elements described
about a groundwater site, for example, casing material. The
in the four standards. Those organizations should design a
data element is in the casing record record.
permanent file system to their specifications that includes these
3.1.5 record—denotes a set of related data elements that
data.
may need to be repeated to fully describe a groundwater site.
NOTE 3—A groundwater data file can be stored as various media such
For example, a well that consists of several diameters of casing
as flat files in cabinets or as digital records on a computer. No matter
from the top end to the bottom will need more than one casing
whichsystemisused,thedataelementsretainedarethesameinformation.
record record (the record includes data elements depth to top,
An advantage of using a computerized file is that the data base containing
depth to bottom, diameter, casing material, and casing thick-
the groundwater information can be easily displayed, duplicated, and
ness) to fully describe the construction of the well. However, if
transferred to another computer.Advantages of paper flat files include low
cost, easy access without equipment, and transportability to field locations
only a single size of casing is used in the well, the record is
and meetings.
utilized once.
NOTE 4—For the explanation of groundwater investigations in this
3.1.6 record group—a set of related records. For example,
guide, the term “well” is used to mean any test or finished hole (that is,
casing,screen,pump,etc.)thatpenetratesthesurfaceoftheearthtoaccess
the lift record group includes the lift record, power record, and
the groundwater source. These include drilled, bored, driven, and dug
standbyrecord.Somerecordgroupsconsistofonlyonerecord,
holes.
for example, the spring record group includes only the spring
6.1.2 Some agencies or companies may be very specialized
record.
in the objective of their projects and require only a finite
4. Summary of Guide
number of data elements beyond the minimum data set.
However, a limited data file may be expanded at a later date by
4.1 This guide describes four representative categories of
adding additional data elements to satisfy the requirements of
investigations to demonstrate the logic of selecting data ele-
more extensive projects.
ments for the documentation of groundwater data. Included in
6.1.3 The minimum set of data elements (see Practice
this guide is a series of four tables that list the records (groups
D5254) is mandatory to uniquely locate, identify, and describe
of data elements) used for the examples. The tables cross-
each individual groundwater site. In addition, photographs,
reference the sections in this guide where specific explanations
for data elements are found. A complete list of the individual
data elements for each record is included in the text of this
guide. The minimum set of data elements is standard and
A
TABLE 1 General Resource Appraisal Investigation of an Area
mandatory with all types of groundwater investigations and is
Minimum Set of Data Elements (see 6.1.3):
presented in 6.1.3.
Geographic Location (see 6.1.3.1)
Political Regimes (see 6.1.3.2)
5. Significance and Use
Source Identifiers (see 6.1.3.3)
5.1 Data are gathered at groundwater sites for many pur- Individual Site Characteristics (see 6.1.3.4)
Additional Data Elements (see X1.6):
poses. Each purpose requires a different combination of data
Geographic Location Record (see X1.6.1)
elements.However,itismandatorythateverygroundwatersite
Owner Record (see X1.6.2)
include a minimum set of data elements to uniquely identify Site Visits Record (see X1.6.3)
Other Identification Record (see X1.6.4)
that site by precisely locating with coordinates and political
Remarks Record (see X1.6.5)
regimes, absolutely identifying the owner and data source, and
Individual Site Characteristics Record (see X1.6.6)
clearly defining the basic site characteristics. This information Construction Record (see X1.6.7)
Casing Record (see X1.6.8)
is described in Practice D5254.
Opening/Screen Record (see X1.6.9)
Lift Record (see X1.6.10)
5.2 As a part of a groundwater project, each site requires
Power Record (see X1.6.11)
additional data elements, beyond the minimum set, to assist in
Geophysical Log Record (see X1.6.12)
the interpretation of the local and areal hydrology. As an
Geohydrologic Unit Record (see X1.6.13)
Hydraulics Record (see X1.6.14)
example, for a hydrologic reconnaissance study of a ground-
Aquifer Parameters Record (see X1.6.15)
water basin, each well or spring site requires basic information
Well Clusters Record (see X1.6.16)
concerning construction, water level, yield, geology, and water
Collector Well/Laterals Record (see X1.6.17)
Ponds Record (see X1.6.18)
chemistry. Additional information is needed if the project is a
Tunnel or Drain Record (see X1.6.19)
waste facility investigation, usually to satisfy local, state, and
Spring Record (see X1.6.20)
federal environmental regulations.
Measuring-Point Record (see X1.6.21)
Water-level Record (see X1.6.22)
6. Documentation Discharge Record (see X1.6.23)
Water-Quality Record (see X1.6.24)
6.1 Introduction:
Field Water-Quality Record (see X1.6.25)
6.1.1 Four representative hydrologic projects with very A
See Appendix X1.
different objectives are provided as examples to demonstrate
D5474 − 93 (2006)
A A
TABLE 2 Monitoring Project for a Waste-Disposal Facility TABLE 3 Contamination Assessment and Remediation
Minimum Set of Data Elements (see 6.1.3): Minimum Set of Data Elements (see 6.1.3):
Geographic Location (see 6.1.3.1) Geographic Location (see 6.1.3.1)
Political Regimes (see 6.1.3.2) Political Regimes (see 6.1.3.2)
Source Identifiers (see 6.1.3.3) Source Identifiers (see 6.1.3.3)
Individual Site Characteristics (see 6.1.3.4) Individual Site Characteristics (see 6.1.3.4)
Additional Data Elements (see X2.5): Additional Data Elements (see X3.5):
Geographic Location Record (see X2.5.1) Geographic Location Record (see X3.5.1)
Political Regime Record (see X2.5.2) Political Regime Record (see X3.5.2)
Source Identifiers Record (see X2.5.3) Remarks Record (see X3.5.3)
Owner Record (see X2.5.4) Individual Site Characteristics Record (see X3.5.4)
Site Visits Record (see X2.5.5) Construction Record (see X3.5.5)
Other Identification Record (see X2.5.6) Casing Record (see X3.5.6)
Remarks Record (see X2.5.7) Opening/Screen Record (see X3.5.7)
Individual Site Characteristics Record (see X2.5.8) Lift Record (see X3.5.8)
Construction Record (see X2.5.9) Geophysical Log Record (see X3.5.9)
Casing Record (see X2.5.10) Geohydrologic Unit Record (see X3.5.10)
Opening/Screen Record (see X2.5.11) Sample/Unconsolidated Material Record (see X3.5.11)
Lift Record (see X2.5.12) Sample/Consolidated Material Record (see X3.5.12)
Geophysical Log Record (see X2.5.13) Hydraulics Record (see X3.5.13)
Geohydrologic Unit Record (see X2.5.14) Aquifer Parameters Record (see X3.5.14)
Sample/Unconsolidated Material Record (see X2.5.15) Ponds Record (see X3.5.15)
Sample/Consolidated Material Record (see X2.5.16) Measuring-Point Record (see X3.5.16)
Hydraulics Record (see X2.5.17) Water-level Record (see X3.5.17)
Aquifer Parameters Record (see X2.5.18) Discharge Record (see X3.5.18)
Measuring-Point Record (see X2.5.19) Water-Quality Record (see X3.5.19)
Network Record (see X2.5.20) Field Water-Quality Record (see X3.5.20)
Water-level Record (see X2.5.21) Decommissioning Record (see X3.5.21)
Discharge Record (see X2.5.22)
A
See Appendix X3.
Water-Quality Record (see X2.5.23)
Field Water-Quality Record (see X2.5.24)
Monitoring Site/Waste-Facility Record (see X2.5.25)
Decommissioning Record (see X2.5.26)
6.1.3.3 Source Identifiers—Owner’sname,sourceagencyor
A
See Appendix X2.
company and address, unique identification, and date of first
record for the site.
6.1.3.4 Individual Site Characteristics—Hydrologic unit,
sketches, and maps of the site and associated facility, including setting, type of groundwater site, use of site, use of water from
site, and reason for data collection.
the measuring point, are valuable pictorial material to enhance
the site description.
7. Keywords
6.1.3.1 GeographicLocation—Includinglatitude,longitude,
latitude-longitude coordinate accuracy, altitude, and altitude 7.1 contamination assessment; data base; data elements;
accuracy. documentation; groundwater; monitoring network; record; re-
6.1.3.2 Political Regimes—State or country identification, source appraisal; site characterization; underground storage
and county or county equivalent.
tank; waste disposal facility
D5474 − 93 (2006)
TABLE 4 Underground Storage Tank GroundWater
A
Assessment
Minimum Set of Data Elements (see 6.1.3):
Geographic Location (see 6.1.3.1)
Political Regimes (see 6.1.3.2)
Source Identifiers (see 6.1.3.3)
Individual Site Characteristics (see 6.1.3.4)
Additional Data Elements (see X4.6):
Geographic Location Record (see X4.6.1)
Owner Record (see X4.6.2)
Site Visits Record (see X4.6.3)
Remarks Record (see X4.6.4)
Individual Site Characteristics Record (see X4.6.5)
Construction Record (see X4.6.6)
Casing Record (see X4.6.7)
Opening/S
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