ASTM D5851-95(2021)

Standard Guide for Planning and Implementing a Water Monitoring Program

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The user of this guide is not assumed to be a technical practitioner in the water field. This guide is an assembly of the components common to all aspects of water monitoring and fulfills a need in the development of a common framework for a better coordinated and more unified approach to monitoring water.  
4.2 Limitations—This guide does not establish a standard procedure to follow in all cases and it does not cover the details necessary to meet a particular monitoring objective.
SCOPE
1.1 Purpose—This guide is generic in its application to surface or ground water, rivers, lakes, or estuaries (quantity and quality). It proposes a series of options that offer direction without recommending a definite course of action and discusses the major elements that are common to all purposes of water monitoring.  
1.2 The elements described are applicable whether the monitoring is only for one location or integrates multiple measurement sites for the purpose of assessing a whole watershed, estuary, or aquifer system.  
1.3 This guide is intended to outline for planners and administrators the components, process, and procedures which should be considered when proposing, planning, or implementing a monitoring program. The guide is not a substitute for obtaining specific technical advice. The reader is not assumed to be a technical practitioner in the water field; however, practitioners will find it a good summary of practice and a handy checklist. Other standard guides have or will be prepared that address the necessary detail.  
1.4 Monitoring Components—A water monitoring program is composed of a set of activities, practices, and procedures designed to collect reliable information of known accuracy and precision concerning a particular water resource in order to achieve a specific goal or purpose. The purposes may range in scope from tracking status and trends on a regional or national basis to gathering data to determine the effects of a specific management practice or pollution incident such as a spill. This guide suggests and discusses the following process and components:  
1.4.1 Establishment of program goals and objectives and recording of decisions in a written plan (see 6.1),  
1.4.2 Developing background data and a conceptual model (see 6.1.12),  
1.4.3 Establishment of data (quality, quantity, type) objectives (see 6.2),  
1.4.4 Design of field measurement and sampling strategies and specification of laboratory analyses and data acceptance criteria (see 6.3),  
1.4.5 Data storage and transfer (see 6.6),  
1.4.6 Implementation of sampling and analysis strategies (see 6.4),  
1.4.7 Data quality assessment (see 6.5),  
1.4.8 Assessment of data (see 6.7),  
1.4.9 Program evaluation (see 6.8), and  
1.4.10 Reporting (see 6.9). See also Fig. X1.1 in Appendix X1 and the condensed list of headings in Appendix X2.  
1.5 Monitoring Purposes—Establishing goals defines the purpose for monitoring. Each purpose has some monitoring design needs specific to itself. There are six major purposes for water monitoring. They are as follows:  
1.5.1 Determining the Status and Trends of Water Conditions—This can require long term, regular monitoring to determine how parameters change over time.  
1.5.2 Detecting Existing and Emerging Problems—Determining if, how, or where a substance may move through an aquatic system, or if water quantities are changing.  
1.5.3 Developing and Implementing Management and Regulatory Programs—Includes baseline and reconnaissance monitoring to characterize existing conditions such as to identify critical areas or hot spots; implementation monitoring to assess whether activities were carried out as planned; and compliance monitoring to determine if specific water quality or water use criteria were met.  
1.5.4 Responding to an Emergency—Performed to provide information in the near term.  
1.5.5 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Water Monitoring Programs—Is the ...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2021
• ICS: 13.060.10 - Water of natural resources
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.02 - Quality Systems, Specification, and Statistics

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1129-13(2020)e2 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1129-10 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2010
• Refers: ASTM D1129-06a - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1129-06ae1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1129-06 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1129-04 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2004
• Refers: ASTM D1129-04e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2004
• Refers: ASTM D1129-03a - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2003
• Refers: ASTM D1129-03 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Refers: ASTM D1129-02a - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2002
• Refers: ASTM D1129-01 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2002
• Refers: ASTM D1129-02 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Refers: ASTM D1129-99a - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002

Overview

ASTM D5851-95(2021): Standard Guide for Planning and Implementing a Water Monitoring Program provides a comprehensive framework for the development, planning, and implementation of water monitoring efforts for various water resources. Developed by ASTM International, this guide is designed for planners, administrators, and other stakeholders who may not be technical experts in the water sector, ensuring accessibility while offering a structured approach to reliable water data collection.

The guide addresses both surface water (including rivers, lakes, estuaries) and groundwater monitoring, focusing on both water quality and quantity. Rather than prescribing rigid procedures, this standard outlines key components and best practices applicable across many monitoring programs, supporting unified and coordinated approaches in water resource assessment and management.

Key Topics

• Establishing Program Goals
  Begin with clear objectives, utilizing multidisciplinary teams and reviewing existing data to define the scope and purpose of the monitoring program.

• Developing Background Data & Conceptual Models
  Gather all relevant environmental, hydrological, and land-use information and summarize them in a conceptual model to inform monitoring strategy.

• Defining Data Objectives
  Specify the required quality, quantity, type, and limits for data collection based on program goals.

• Designing Field Measurements & Sampling Strategies
  Select locations, timing, and frequency of sampling considering accessibility, representativeness, and environmental variables. Document standard or performance-based methods, and select appropriate analytical protocols.

• Implementing Sampling & Analysis
  Execute plans, adhere to field and lab quality protocols, and document all deviations to ensure reliability and reproducibility.

• Data Management
  Employ standardized protocols for data storage, transfer, archival, and security. Include robust metadata for transparency.

• Assessing Data Quality
  Use quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes, custody records, and statistical protocols to verify data accuracy.

• Interpreting and Assessing Data
  Analyze results for statistical and operational significance, quantify trends, and relate findings to project objectives.

• Program Evaluation & Reporting
  Continuously review program effectiveness, address issues, and communicate findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Applications

The ASTM D5851-95(2021) guide is applicable in diverse contexts where water monitoring is needed:

• Government and Regulatory Agencies:
  Planning monitoring programs to meet compliance and regulatory requirements for water quality and quantity.

• Watershed Management:
  Assessing and managing entire watersheds, estuaries, or aquifer systems through integrated multi-site data collection.

• Pollution Assessment & Incident Response:
  Gathering data to determine the impact of specific pollution events, such as chemical spills or nonpoint source contamination.

• Resource Management and Planning:
  Developing baseline, status, trend, or reconnaissance monitoring to inform management of surface or groundwater resources.

• Research and Model Validation:
  Supporting research objectives, including validating simulation models and management program effectiveness.

• Public and Industrial Stakeholders:
  Providing a structured checklist and summary of best practices for administrators, industrial entities, and community organizations participating in or overseeing water monitoring projects.

Related Standards

For comprehensive implementation of water monitoring programs, refer to these related standards and resources:

• ASTM D1129 - Terminology Relating to Water
• U.S. EPA Guidelines - Definitions for Minimum Set of Data Elements for Ground Water Quality; Monitoring Guidelines to Evaluate Effects of Forestry Activities (EPA 813/B and 910/9)
• National Handbook of Recommended Methods for Water Data Acquisition
• ASTM Guides on Groundwater and Vadose Zone Investigations
• WHO Study Reports - Water Quality Surveys

Using these standards in conjunction ensures consistency, enhances data interoperability, and supports robust water management strategies at local, regional, and national levels.

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Keywords: Water monitoring, water quality, water quantity, water resource management, planning water monitoring programs, ASTM D5851, surface water, groundwater, data quality, sampling strategy, water monitoring standard.

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: D5851 − 95 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Guide for
Planning and Implementing a Water Monitoring Program
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5851; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Water resource monitoring has taken place in many forms for scores of years. This monitoring has
been sponsored and performed by a variety of federal, state, and local public agencies; and perhaps
byanevenwidervarietyofprivate,quasi-publicandindustrialentities.Historically,muchoftheearly
datadealtwithquantitiesofflow,anddrinkingwaterqualitywasjudgedbythestandardsoftheperiod.
During the past several years the problems related to point and nonpoint sources of pollution of
water resources have become increasingly apparent. Technology has improved dramatically, as the
need for monitoring data has improved. There is a necessity for information on marine beaches and
estuarine areas, fresh water swamps, ground water, wetlands, streams, and sediment deposits, and to
better understand the entire hydrologic cycle.
The need for more and varied water quality information has expanded as rapidly as our
technological ability to generate the information. Further, it has become increasingly difficult and
sometimes impossible to understand and resolve conflicts among the different data sets available.
Much of the data have been collected at different times, in different geographic areas, and for different
purposes. The data have been collected by persons with varied training, using different methods, and
with vastly different analytical capabilities.As a consequence, we presently are at the stage where we
may know more about a given situation than we understand and workers in the field who receive the
data are unable to integrate the data available into a useful solution. The need for standardization of
monitoring programs is evident. Standardization does not herein mean everyone doing everything
exactly the same way. It does mean the use of methods and procedures, where applicable, that follow
recognized and documented protocols as well as the accurate recording and storage of the data in
accessible formats.
Realizing the difficulties in water monitoring, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the
federal government charged the Water Information Program (WICP), a program of the U.S.
Geological Survey’s Office ofWater Data Coordination, with studying water quality monitoring in the
United States and recommending improvements. The Intergovernmental Task Force on Monitoring
Water Quality (ITFM), a federal, state, and tribal partnership, was established under the WICP’s
Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data to carry out this study. The results of three years of
work by about 200 contributors have been captured in a series of three annual reports (1-3).
The following summarizes the conclusions from those reports:
(1) Monitoring programs shall keep pace with changing water-management programs.
(2) A collaborative strategy is needed to link the many separate monitoring programs.
(3) Agenuineappreciationoftheneedforcooperationcurrentlyexistsamongmonitoringagencies.
(4) Recent advances in technology provide opportunities for interaction and cooperation that
previously were impossible.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5851 − 95 (2021)
Based upon those conclusions, the following recommendations were made:
(1) Implement an integrated, voluntary, nationwide strategy to improve water quality monitoring.
(2) Charter a permanent national body to guide the implementation of ITFM recommendations.
(3) Develop a framework for monitoring water quality that defines the components of a monitoring
program.
(4) Develop criteria with which to select parameters that measure progress in achieving water
quality goals.
(5) Recommend indicators to measure whether water quality uses designated by the state are being
met.
(6) Charter a Methods and Data Comparability Council to foster the development and use of
performance-based methods of collection and analysis.
(7) Use the ecoregions concept, reference conditions, and index calibration.
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.02 on Quality Systems, Specification, and
Statistics.
Current edition approved July 1, 2021. Published July 2021. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D5851 – 95 (2015). DOI:
10.1520/D5851-95R21.
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard.
1. Scope 1.4.4 Design of field measurement and sampling strategies
and specification of laboratory analyses and data acceptance
1.1 Purpose—This guide is generic in its application to
criteria (see 6.3),
surfaceorgroundwater,rivers,lakes,orestuaries(quantityand
1.4.5 Data storage and transfer (see 6.6),
quality). It proposes a series of options that offer direction
1.4.6 Implementation of sampling and analysis strategies
without recommending a definite course of action and dis-
(see 6.4),
cusses the major elements that are common to all purposes of
1.4.7 Data quality assessment (see 6.5),
water monitoring.
1.4.8 Assessment of data (see 6.7),
1.4.9 Program evaluation (see 6.8), and
1.2 The elements described are applicable whether the
1.4.10 Reporting (see 6.9).
monitoring is only for one location or integrates multiple
See also Fig. X1.1 in Appendix X1 and the condensed list of
measurement sites for the purpose of assessing a whole
headings in Appendix X2.
watershed, estuary, or aquifer system.
1.5 Monitoring Purposes—Establishing goals defines the
1.3 This guide is intended to outline for planners and
purpose for monitoring. Each purpose has some monitoring
administrators the components, process, and procedures which
design needs specific to itself.There are six major purposes for
shouldbeconsideredwhenproposing,planning,orimplement-
water monitoring. They are as follows:
ing a monitoring program. The guide is not a substitute for
1.5.1 Determining the Status and Trends of Water
obtaining specific technical advice. The reader is not assumed
Conditions—This can require long term, regular monitoring to
to be a technical practitioner in the water field; however,
determine how parameters change over time.
practitioners will find it a good summary of practice and a
1.5.2 Detecting Existing and Emerging Problems—
handy checklist. Other standard guides have or will be pre-
Determining if, how, or where a substance may move through
pared that address the necessary detail.
an aquatic system, or if water quantities are changing.
1.5.3 Developing and Implementing Management and
1.4 Monitoring Components—A water monitoring program
Regulatory Programs—Includes baseline and reconnaissance
is composed of a set of activities, practices, and procedures
monitoring to characterize existing conditions such as to
designed to collect reliable information of known accuracy and
identify critical areas or hot spots; implementation monitoring
precision concerning a particular water resource in order to
to assess whether activities were carried out as planned; and
achieve a specific goal or purpose. The purposes may range in
compliancemonitoringtodetermineifspecificwaterqualityor
scope from tracking status and trends on a regional or national
water use criteria were met.
basis to gathering data to determine the effects of a specific
1.5.4 Responding to an Emergency—Performed to provide
management practice or pollution incident such as a spill. This
information in the near term.
guide suggests and discusses the following process and com-
1.5.5 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Water Monitoring
ponents:
Programs—Is the monitoring able to achieve the stated goals?
1.4.1 Establishment of program goals and objectives and
Also, monitoring to check on monitoring.
recording of decisions in a written plan (see 6.1),
1.5.6 Supporting research objectives or validating of simu-
lation models.
1.4.2 Developing background data and a conceptual model
(see 6.1.12),
1.6 This guide is applicable to these purposes and provides
1.4.3 Establishment of data (quality, quantity, type) objec-
guidanceonsomeofthespecificneedsofeach.Aftergoalsand
tives (see 6.2), objectives have been established, a specialist can define the
D5851 − 95 (2021)
type, frequency, and duration of sampling and measurements. 3.2.4 measurement, n—determining the values of a charac-
The specialist also will be able to forecast the data analysis teristic within a sample or in situ.
needed to meet the objectives.
3.2.5 metadata, n—ancillary data that describe the natural
conditions under which an environmental data value is
1.7 There are related standards currently available or under
measured, the purpose for collection, the methods and stan-
development and several documents that prescribe protocols
dards employed, and the organization responsible.
for water monitoring (4-9). See also Section 2.
3.2.6 sampling, n—the removal of a portion of the water
1.8 This guide suggests that water monitoring programs use
which may or may not be representative of the whole. This is
standardized documented protocols for all aspects of the
not monitoring.
program. Where they are not available or appropriate, the
methods used should be documented.
3.2.7 water monitoring, n—water monitoring consists of
systematic activities conducted to characterize the quantity or
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
quality, or both, of water.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 The user of this guide is not assumed to be a technical
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
practitioner in the water field. This guide is an assembly of the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
components common to all aspects of water monitoring and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
fulfills a need in the development of a common framework for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
a better coordinated and more unified approach to monitoring
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
water.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.2 Limitations—This guide does not establish a standard
proceduretofollowinallcasesanditdoesnotcoverthedetails
2. Referenced Documents
necessary to meet a particular monitoring objective.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
5. A Primer on Water Monitoring Programs
2.2 Other Documents:
5.1 The Problem—Why is water monitoring difficult?
Compilation of Scopes of ASTM Standards Relating to
5.1.1 The movement of water through the hydrologic cycle
Environmental Monitoring 1994, PCN: 13-600003-16
dwarfs other material cycles operating on the earth’s surface,
(700 standards)
such as the carbon and oxygen cycles. Water’s chemical and
ASTM Standards on Ground Water and Vadose Zone Inves-
physical properties enable it to dissolve many substances and
tigations PCN: 03-418094-38
physically remove and suspend others. Consequently, as water
encounters various substances in the atmosphere, on land
2.3 EPA Documents:
U.S. EPA813/B-92-002 Definitions for the Minimum Set of surfaces, and below ground, the water’s chemical composition
changes, and the composition of materials suspended in the
Data Elements for Ground Water Quality
U.S. EPA 910/9-91/001 Monitoring Guidelines to Evaluate water changes. Physical and chemical processes further change
its composition as water moves through the hydrologic cycle.
Effects of Forestry Activities on Streams in the Pacific
Northwest and Alaska 5.1.2 Human activities using land and water have greatly
altered the kind and amount of substances that water encoun-
ters as it moves through the hydrological cycle. Often, some
3. Terminology
substances, including those biological communities living
3.1 Definitions:
within water, are present at concentrations that impair various
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
water uses. These substances are regarded as pollutants. Much
Terminology D1129.
of our effort to manage water resources is directed at reducing
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the addition of pollutants in water. Other management efforts
3.2.1 analyze, v—to determine the relationship of parts or
are directed toward altering local pathways of water flow and
the value of a particular parameter.
maintaining or enhancing aquatic and marine habitats.
3.2.2 assess, v—to determine importance of data. 5.1.3 Across the globe or across a county there are large
spatial and temporal variations in water flows and volumes, in
3.2.3 evaluate, v—to determine significance or worth.
the natural features, which impact water resources, and in the
nature and extent of human land and water uses. Consequently,
there can be large spatial and temporal variations in the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
composition of water. The problem that must be addressed in
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
water monitoring is how to spatially and temporally character-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
izethecompositionofwaterandthesourceofthiscomposition
Available from ASTM Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
with sufficient accuracy and precision to support local and
Conshohocken, PA 19428–2959.
regional water uses and management efforts. Monitoring water
Available from Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402. as it flows through the hydrologic cycle is not easy.
D5851 − 95 (2021)
5.1.4 Reading through the following list of procedures and 6.2.1.3 The volumes of water present in various compart-
considerations will provide the administrator or planner with ments of the hydrologic cycle,
insight into the details of needed expertise, complexity, and 6.2.1.4 The flow rates of water between various compart-
work tasks in the design, implementation, and evaluation of a ments of the hydrological cycle,
monitoring project.
6.2.1.5 The loading of dissolved and suspended constituents
between compartments of the hydrologic cycle,
6. Procedure 6.2.1.6 The rates of chemical and physical processes,
6.2.1.7 The status of biological communities living within
6.1 Establish Program Goals and Objectives:
or adjacent to surface and ground waters,
6.1.1 Define goals and objectives using a multidisciplinary
6.2.1.8 The quality of aquatic habitats,
team. This requires a variety of professionals with special
6.2.1.9 The factors that influence any of the above, and
insights in order to prepare a sensible plan.
6.2.1.10 The suitability of water for a particular use.
6.1.1.1 Review existing data.
6.2.2 Define requirements for data analyses. For example,
6.1.2 Prepare a plan of work from the goals, objectives, and
what is the supporting information, such as land use, that is
decisions. This will be an iterating process as progress is made
needed to analyze the data?
developing the components. The plan can use a pilot approach
6.2.3 Define interaction of various professional skills, for
or phased-in approach.
example, field worker taking samples, chemist, hydrologist,
6.1.2.1 Coordinate activities with other relevant agencies,
data manager, data analyst, and the person who interprets the
groups, and persons.
data, to ensure that all work to be done and who is to do it are
6.1.3 Develop a project schedule and budget.
identified.
6.1.3.1 Establish budgetary and personnel requirements.
6.2.4 Based upon the stated program objectives, determine
6.1.4 Set timelines.
the scope of the monitoring program by doing the following:
6.1.5 Set interim goals, checkpoints, and review periods.
6.2.4.1 Determining the areal extent needed to meet objec-
6.1.6 Identify adaptive management parameters in accor-
tives;
dance with the project’s objectives; these are project specific
6.2.4.2 Determining the analysis or parameters needed to
parameters, such as ground water flow direction and
meet objectives;
concentration, that are selected to be observed on a regular
6.2.4.3 Determining what is known;
basis in order to determine the need for change of monitoring
6.2.4.4 Investigating related prior work;
procedures.
6.2.4.5 Correlating objectives and scope with objectives
6.1.7 Establish feedback loops related to review inputs. As
attained by prior work;
data are collected they shall be reviewed in light of quality
6.2.4.6 Evaluating existing information to depict the known
standards and in meeting program objectives.
or suspected surface and ground-water quality conditions,
6.1.8 Schedule flexibility for program adjustment.
problems, or information gaps;
6.1.9 Determine program costs and sources of funding.
6.2.4.7 Providing a current conceptual understanding;
6.1.10 Identify who will need or use the data and who will
6.2.4.8 Identifying management concerns and alternatives;
benefit from the project.
6.2.4.9 Analyzing prior data for integration with new data;
6.1.11 Identify and describe the existing environmental
6.2.4.10 Determining whether the work can be used;
setting including its surface and ground water hydrology,
6.2.4.11 Determining impact of locations of monitoring
physiography, climate, biology, and ancillary information such
sites on data from prior work and upon proposed work;
as population, land use, and water use.
6.2.4.12 Determining impact of access to prior and future
6.1.12 Develop a conceptual model of the project area that
sites upon prior data and data to be collected; and
relates the known water data and the surroundings that influ-
6.2.4.13 Evaluating impact of past and present sampling
ence water conditions. The model will aid in predicting
methodology upon past and proposed data, including equip-
influences and selecting sampling sites.
ment variations, for example, manual, automatic, remote, and
6.1.13 Collaborate with others who can contribute informa-
experienceofpersonnel,withrespecttoenvironmentalrequire-
tion and support.
ments and data needs.
6.2.5 Identify null hypothesis option, that is, what happens
6.2 Establish Data Objectives:
if monitoring is not performed.
6.2.1 The what, how, how many, and how good of measure-
6.2.6 Establish reference conditions for environmental indi-
ments depends on many factors, especially why the monitoring
catorsthatcanbemonitoredtoprovideabaselinewater-quality
is being done. The needs of the end users have to be clearly
assessment.
identified. Data shall be collected and measured in accordance
6.2.7 Define data management needs.
with established norms and standards. Measurements of physi-
6.2.8 Evaluate monitoring program, that is, can goals be
cal parameters and environmental indicators are made to
achieved?
determine the following:
6.2.1.1 Concentrations of both natural and synthetic con-
6.3 Design of Field Measurements—All measurements
stituents dissolved or suspended in water,
shouldconformtostandardmethods,documentedprotocols,or
6.2.1.2 Physical characteristics of water (temperature, at least documented to provide a clear description of the
turbidity, color, density, and conductivity), methods used. The use of nonstandard methods is appropriate
D5851 − 95 (2021)
where the use of standard methods would not be suitable for 6.3.8.9 Environmental Indicators (chemical, physical,
the successful implementation of the work. biological, surrogate indicators),
6.3.8.10 In situ analysis,
6.3.1 Evaluate spatial aspects of monitoring acti
...