ASTM D5408-93(2010)e1
(Guide)Standard Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a Groundwater Site;
Part OneAdditional Identification Descriptors (Withdrawn 2019)
Standard Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a Groundwater Site;<br> Part One<char: emdash>Additional Identification Descriptors (Withdrawn 2019)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Data at groundwater sites are gathered for many purposes, each of which generally requires a specific set of data elements. For example, when groundwater quality is a concern, not only are the minimum set of data elements required for the site, but information concerning the sample collection depth interval, method of collection, and date and time of collection are needed to fully qualify the data. Another group of elements are recommended for each use of the data, such as aquifer characteristics or water-level records. Normally the more information that is gathered about a site by field personnel, the easier it is to understand the groundwater conditions and to reach valid conclusions and interpretations regarding the site.
The data elements listed in this guide and Guides D5409 and D5410 should assist in planning what information can be gathered for a groundwater site and how to document these data.
Note 6—Some important data elements may change during the existence of a site. For example, the elevation of the measuring point used for the measurement of water levels may be modified because of repair or replacement of equipment. This frequently occurs when the measuring point is an opening in the pump and the pump is modified or replaced. Because changes cannot always be anticipated, it is preferable to reference the height of the measuring point to a nearby, permanent altitude datum. The measuring point is referenced by being the same altitude (zero correction) or above (negative correction) or below (plus correction) the altitude datum. All appropriate measurements should be corrected in reference to the altitude datum before entry into the permanent record. Care must be exercised to keep the relationship of these data elements consistent throughout the duration of the site.
Some data elements have an extensive list of components. For example, the aquifer identification list described in Guide D5409, has over 5000 components. Lengthy lists of possible comp...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers Part One of three guides to be used in conjunction with Practice D5254 that delineates the data desirable to describe a groundwater data collection or sampling site. This guide describes additional information beyond the minimum set of data elements that may be needed to identify a groundwater site. Part Two identifies physical descriptors, such as construction, for a site, while Part Three identifies usage descriptors, such as monitoring, for an individual groundwater site.
Note 1—A groundwater site is defined as 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—Part Two (Guide D5409) includes individual site characteristic descriptors (7 data elements), construction descriptors (56 data elements), lift descriptors (16 data elements), geologic descriptors (26 data elements), hydraulic descriptors (20 data elements), and spring descriptors (11 data elements). Part Three (Guide D5410) includes monitoring descriptors (77 data elements), irrigation descriptors (4 data elements), waste site descriptors (9 data elements), and decommissioning descriptors (8 data elements). For a list of descriptors in this guide, see Section 4.
1.2 These data elements are described in terms used by groundwater hydrologists. Standard references, such as the Glossary of Geology and various hydrogeologic professional publications, are used to determine these definitions. Many of the suggested elements and their representative codes are those established by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological...
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Designation: D5408 − 93 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Guide for
Set of Data Elements to Describe a Groundwater Site;
Part One—Additional Identification Descriptors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5408; 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.
ε NOTE—The units statement in 1.4 was revised and inch-pound units were deleted throughout editorially in August
2010.
NOTE 3—The purpose of this guide is to suggest data elements that can
1. Scope
be collected for groundwater sites. This does not uniquely imply a
1.1 This guide covers Part One of three guides to be used in
computer data base, but rather data elements for entry into any type of
conjunction with Practice D5254 that delineates the data permanent file.
NOTE 4—Component and code lists given with some of the data
desirabletodescribeagroundwaterdatacollectionorsampling
elements, for example “Format of Other Data,” are only suggestions.
site. This guide describes additional information beyond the
Theselistscanbemodified,expanded,orreducedforthepurposeintended
minimum set of data elements that may be needed to identify
by the company or agency maintaining the groundwater data file.
a groundwater site. Part Two identifies physical descriptors,
NOTE 5—Use of trade names in this guide is for identification purposes
such as construction, for a site, while Part Three identifies
only and does not constitute endorsement by ASTM.
usage descriptors, such as monitoring, for an individual
1.3 This guide includes the data elements desirable to
groundwater site.
identify a groundwater site beyond those given in the “Mini-
mum Set of Data Elements.” Some examples of the data
NOTE 1—A groundwater site is defined as any source, location, or
sampling station capable of producing water or hydrologic data from a
elements are map identification, permitting facts, and support-
natural stratum from below the surface of the earth. A source or facility
ing information. No single site will need every data element,
can include a well, spring or seep, and drain or tunnel (nearly horizontal
for example, many groundwater sites do not need the data
in orientation). Other sources, such as excavations, driven devices, bore
elements described in the legal record group. Each record
holes, ponds, lakes, and sinkholes, that can be shown to be hydraulically
(group of related data elements) for a site has mandatory data
connected to the groundwater, are appropriate for the use intended.
NOTE 2—Part Two (Guide D5409) includes individual site characteris-
elements, such as the date for the ownership record. However,
tic descriptors (7 data elements), construction descriptors (56 data
these elements are considered necessary only when that spe-
elements),liftdescriptors(16dataelements),geologicdescriptors(26data
cific record is gathered for the site.
elements),hydraulicdescriptors(20dataelements),andspringdescriptors
(11 data elements). Part Three (Guide D5410) includes monitoring
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
descriptors (77 data elements), irrigation descriptors (4 data elements),
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
waste site descriptors (9 data elements), and decommissioning descriptors
standard.
(8 data elements). For a list of descriptors in this guide, see Section 4.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2 These data elements are described in terms used by
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
groundwater hydrologists. Standard references, such as the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Glossary of Geology and various hydrogeologic professional
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
publications, are used to determine these definitions. Many of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the suggested elements and their representative codes are those
1.6 This guide offers an organized collection of information
established by the Water Resources Division of the U.S.
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
Geological Survey and used in the National Water Information
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
Systems computerized data base (1-9).
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
Rockand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
Vadose Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D5408–93(2004).
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
DOI: 10.1520/D5408-93R10E01.
document means only that the document has been approved
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the text. through the ASTM consensus process.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D5408 − 93 (2010)
2. Referenced Documents
Land-Net Location
Location Map
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Map Scale
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Method Altitude Determined
Political Regimes
Fluids
Congressional District
D5254 Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to
Source Identifiers:
Mean Greenwich Time Offset
Identify a Ground-Water Site
Site Reference in Report
D5409 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
Site in a Computer Data Base
Ground-Water Site; Part Two—Physical Descriptors
Photography/Sketch Available of Site
Repeated Elements
D5410 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
Legal Record Group:
Ground-Water Site;Part Three—Usage Descriptors
Legal Record:
Permitting Agency
3. Terminology
Priority Date
Application Number
3.1 Definitions:
Application Date
3.1.1 For definitions of terms applicable to this guide, see Certification Number
Certification Date
Terminology D653.
Permit Number
Permit Date
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Water Allocation
3.2.1 code—a suggested abbreviation for a component, for
Supporting Information Record Group
example, “F” is the code suggested for the “Files (Raw Data)”
Owner Record:
Date of Ownership
component of data element “Format of Other Data.”
Owner’s Name
3.2.2 component—a subdivision of a data element, for
Site Visits Record:
Date of Visit
example, “Files (Raw Data)” is one of four components
Person Who Made Visit
suggested for data element “Format of Other Data.”
Purpose of Visit
Other Identification Record:
3.2.3 data element—an individual segment of information
Other Name, Number, or Identification
aboutagroundwatersite,forexample,“FormatofOtherData.”
Assigner
The data element is in the “Other Data Record” record. Other Data Record:
Other Data Type
3.2.4 record—asetofrelateddataelementsthatmayneedto
Other Data Location
be repeated to fully describe a groundwater site. For example, Format of Other Data
Remarks Record:
a groundwater site that has a series of separate data files will
Remark Date
need more than one “Other Data Record” record (the record
Remark
includesdataelements,otherdatatype,otherdatalocation,and Remark Source
format of other data) to fully document the history of the site.
5. Significance and Use
However, if only a single separate data file exists for the well,
the record is utilized once. 5.1 Data at groundwater sites are gathered for many
purposes,eachofwhichgenerallyrequiresaspecificsetofdata
3.2.5 record group—a set of related records. For example,
elements.Forexample,whengroundwaterqualityisaconcern,
the “Supporting Information Record Group” includes the
not only are the minimum set of data elements required for the
owner record, site visits record, other identification record,
site, but information concerning the sample collection depth
other data record, and remarks record. Some record groups
interval, method of collection, and date and time of collection
consist of only one record, for example, the “Legal Record
are needed to fully qualify the data.Another group of elements
Group” includes only the legal record.
are recommended for each use of the data, such as aquifer
characteristics or water-level records. Normally the more
4. Summary of Guide
information that is gathered about a site by field personnel, the
4.1 This guide includes the following additional identifica-
easier it is to understand the groundwater conditions and to
tion descriptor data elements to describe a groundwater site.
reach valid conclusions and interpretations regarding the site.
The universal element accompanies any data element requiring
5.2 ThedataelementslistedinthisguideandGuidesD5409
a confidence classification. Single elements usually need one
and D5410 should assist in planning what information can be
entry for a site, while repeated elements commonly require
gathered for a groundwater site and how to document these
several records to fully describe the conditions and history of
data.
the site:
Universal Element
NOTE 6—Some important data elements may change during the
Data Confidence Classification
existence of a site. For example, the elevation of the measuring point used
Single Elements
for the measurement of water levels may be modified because of repair or
Geographic Location:
replacement of equipment. This frequently occurs when the measuring
point is an opening in the pump and the pump is modified or replaced.
Becausechangescannotalwaysbeanticipated,itispreferabletoreference
the height of the measuring point to a nearby, permanent altitude datum.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
The measuring point is referenced by being the same altitude (zero
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on correction) or above (negative correction) or below (plus correction) the
the ASTM website. altitude datum. All appropriate measurements should be corrected in
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D5408 − 93 (2010)
reference to the altitude datum before entry into the permanent record.
many parts of the United States to subdivide the land into
Care must be exercised to keep the relationship of these data elements
sections, townships, and ranges for the purpose of governmen-
consistent throughout the duration of the site.
tal administration and originally was used (beginning in 1786)
5.3 Some data elements have an extensive list of compo-
as a systematic method for the disposal of unoccupied land
nents. For example, the aquifer identification list described in
(10). An abbreviated form of this description is used by many
Guide D5409, has over 5000 components. Lengthy lists of
wateragencies,inthemanypartsofthecountry,astheprimary
possible components are not included in this guide, however,
method of systematically cataloging groundwater sites. The
information on where to obtain these components is included
method allows for the location of sites to a minimum of a one
with the specific data element.
hectare tract ( ⁄256 th of a section) within a specified section,
township, range, and meridian. The meridian designation must
NOTE 7—This guide identifies many sources, lists, etc., of information
beincludedtodenotewherethetownshipandrangearelocated
required to completely document information about any groundwater site.
in the National grid system. An example of a one hectare
6. Documentation of Universal Element
1 1
location is “Northeast ⁄4 of the Southeast ⁄4 of the Northwest
1 1
6.1 For any element that requires a Confidence
⁄4 of the Southwest ⁄4, Section 22, Township 45 South, Range
Classification, document the data confidence classification for
87 West, Boise meridian.” This location is usually abbreviated
that specified critical data element for the groundwater site. to a form similar to “NESENWSW Sec. 22, T45S, R87W B.”
Field-measured or laboratory-determined values have varying
A number of formats comparable to this abbreviation have
degrees of accuracy depending upon the methods used to been established by the various agencies that use the system,
obtain the information. This subjective or judged confidence
however, they basically communicate the same results (5, 6,
should be documented for each measured data element by the 11, 12).
agency or company that gathered or recorded the information,
NOTE 10—The accuracy of this location method for the minimum one
or both. Suggested components for the data confidence classi-
hectare area is about 70.104 m, that corresponds to between 2 and3sof
fication and representative codes are as follows:
latitude or longitude. Surveying errors are common in the original
measurements. See FIPS PUB 70-1.
A—Value is accurate to within the tolerance of the
NOTE 11—To supplement the description of the location of a ground-
measurement instrument.
water site, a common method used is to draw a sketch showing the
I—Value is judged to be inaccurate due to improper
instrumentation or bias instrumentation or laboratory methods.
relationship of the site to other features in the immediate area, such as
N—Not verified, value was obtained from another source
roads,buildings,etc.Inaddition,asketchofthemeasuringpointcanassist
and due to the mature of the data, cannot be verified.
in defining its exact location at the site. Photographs of the site and
measuring point commonly are used as a part of the description.
NOTE 8—At a minimum, it is important, and often sufficient, that data
be classified subjectively by experienced professionals. It is not always
7.2.2 Location Map—The location map name that is docu-
possible or necessary to objectively quantify the confidence that a data
mented is that or the best available map of the area where the
user might have in a data value, but a professional classification can be
site is located. Much of the United States is covered by U.S.
useful. For the purposes of the three guides, the word confidence refers to
Geological Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangles.
a subjective professional judgment on data accuracy as represented by the
three data confidence classification components, and does not imply the However, for those areas without USGS map
...
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