ASTM D5905-98(2018)

Standard Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Wastewater

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Substitute wastewater may be used for laboratory testing where a reproducible mixture simulating municipal wastewater is required. To provide a more rugged evaluation of a test method's ability to measure analytes and the precision of the test method under more demanding conditions, it is necessary to utilize a matrix more complex than reagent water. Substitute wastewater is intended to be used as a material to be spiked with analytes or interferents of interest to evaluate the performance of test methods.  
4.2 Utilization of substitute wastewater as a matrix in interlaboratory validation studies will allow inclusion of performance statistics for this matrix in the Precision and Bias section of test methods. Users of test methods will be able to evaluate their application of test methods in this matrix against published results.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of an aqueous mixture containing constituents in concentrations such that it will have physical and chemical matrix characteristics similar to municipal wastewater.  
1.2 Wastewaters are extremely variable, depending on the quantity and nature of the materials being discharged into the collection system. The mixture prepared with this practice is not representative of any particular wastewater. Rather, it allows the user to prepare a mixture that exhibits a similar matrix impact on test method performance as is typical of municipal wastewater and can be prepared from common materials inexpensively and reproducibly. It allows the evaluation of test methods, over time, against the same reference point.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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: 30-Nov-2018
• ICS: 13.060.30 - Sewage water
• 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 D2777-12 - Standard Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1129-10 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2010
• Refers: ASTM D1141-98(2008) - Standard Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean Water
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2008
• Refers: ASTM D2777-08 - Standard Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2008
• 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 D2777-06 - Standard Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-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 D1141-98(2003) - Standard Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean Water
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2003
• Refers: ASTM D2777-03 - Standard Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Methods of Committee D-19 on Water
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2003

Overview

ASTM D5905-98(2018): Standard Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Wastewater establishes a standardized method for preparing an aqueous mixture that closely simulates the physical and chemical characteristics of municipal wastewater. This practice is developed by ASTM to facilitate laboratory testing where a reproducible, complex matrix is required, especially for evaluating the performance, precision, and bias of analytical test methods. The substitute wastewater serves as a consistent benchmark, enhancing reproducibility and comparability in both single-laboratory and interlaboratory method validation studies.

Key Topics

• Purpose of Substitute Wastewater

  • Designed for use in laboratory settings where a repeatable and controlled matrix simulating municipal wastewater is necessary.
  • Enables a more robust assessment of test methods by providing a more complex sample than reagent water.

• Mixture Composition and Preparation

  • The standard covers the preparation of a reproducible mixture that approximates typical municipal wastewater but does not represent any particular real-world sample.
  • Prepared using common, cost-effective materials which are easily sourced and processed in most laboratory environments.

• Reproducibility and Consistency

  • Provides a standardized procedure, enabling repeatable preparation, critical for longitudinal studies, method validation, and comparison of analytical data.
  • Facilitates spiking with target analytes or interferents to test specific aspects of analytical methods.

• Scope and Limitations

  • Applicable for laboratory and quality control settings.
  • Stresses that safety, health, and environmental precautions are the responsibility of the user.
  • Only SI units are used as standard measurements within this practice.

Applications

• Laboratory Test Method Evaluation

  • Used as a reference material for evaluating analytical techniques in water and wastewater testing laboratories.
  • Supports ruggedness testing by serving as a matrix significantly more complex than deionized or reagent water.

• Interlaboratory Validation

  • Enables meaningful comparison of results across different laboratories by providing a consistent test matrix.
  • Allows inclusion of substitute wastewater statistics in the evaluation of method precision and bias as per ASTM protocols.

• Regulatory and Compliance Testing

  • Assists in method validation required for compliance with environmental regulations concerning wastewater analysis.
  • Helps laboratories align with internationally recognized standards for water quality testing.

• Training and Quality Assurance

  • Serves as a practical tool in training laboratory staff or during proficiency testing exercises.
  • Provides a controlled matrix for routine quality assurance checks.

Related Standards

This practice references and is aligned with several important ASTM standards and definitions related to water testing, including:

• ASTM D1129: Terminology Relating to Water - offers definitions relevant to water analysis and testing.
• ASTM D1141: Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean Water - provides guidance for simulating ocean water, parallel to this practice’s focus on wastewater.
• ASTM D1193: Specification for Reagent Water - defines the quality and types of water used in laboratory applications.
• ASTM D2777: Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water - focuses on statistical evaluation of laboratory methods.

Practical Value

ASTM D5905-98(2018) is essential for laboratories aiming to standardize their wastewater testing processes. By ensuring that substitute wastewater can be prepared economically and reproducibly, the standard enhances the reliability of analytical results and supports ongoing efforts in method development, validation, and regulatory compliance related to municipal and industrial wastewater analysis. This practice not only advances laboratory accuracy but also strengthens the credibility and comparability of analytical data used in environmental monitoring and public health protection.

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: D5905 − 98 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Practice for
the Preparation of Substitute Wastewater
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5905; 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 D1141 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean
Water
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of an aqueous
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
mixture containing constituents in concentrations such that it
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
will have physical and chemical matrix characteristics similar
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
to municipal wastewater.
1.2 Wastewaters are extremely variable, depending on the
3. Terminology
quantity and nature of the materials being discharged into the
3.1 Definitions:
collection system. The mixture prepared with this practice is
not representative of any particular wastewater. Rather, it 3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
allows the user to prepare a mixture that exhibits a similar Terminology D1129.
matrix impact on test method performance as is typical of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
municipal wastewater and can be prepared from common
3.2.1 substitute wastewater, n—a mixture of dissolved and
materials inexpensively and reproducibly. It allows the evalu-
suspended materials in water, typical of the influent to a
ation of test methods, over time, against the same reference
municipal wastewater treatment facility.
point.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Significance and Use
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4.1 Substitutewastewatermaybeusedforlaboratorytesting
standard.
whereareproduciblemixturesimulatingmunicipalwastewater
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
is required. To provide a more rugged evaluation of a test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
method’s ability to measure analytes and the precision of the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
test method under more demanding conditions, it is necessary
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
to utilize a matrix more complex than reagent water. Substitute
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
wastewater is intended to be used as a material to be spiked
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
with analytes or interferents of interest to evaluate the perfor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
mance of test methods.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4.2 Utilization of substitute wastewater as a matrix in
interlaboratory validation studies will allow inclusion of per-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. formance statistics for this matrix in the Precision and Bias
section of test methods. Users of test methods will be able to
2. Referenced Documents
evaluate their application of test methods in this matrix against
published results.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
5. Apparatus
5.1 Blender,householdorcommercialvariety,withachemi-
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and
cally inert container and a tight sealing lid.
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.02 on Quality Systems,
Specification, and Statistics.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018. Published December 2018. Originally
6. Reagents
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D5905 – 98 (2013).
DOI: 10.1520/D5905-98R18.
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society where
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5905 − 98 (2018)
3 4
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used, 6.7 TritonX-100 Solution—Surfactantsolution.Add1.200
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently g to water and dilute to 1 L.
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
NOTE 1—A key purpose of this practice is to provide a reproducible
determination.
formulation. The use of an alternate surfactant may significantly alter the
performance of this material in its intended application. Use of an
6.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
alternate surfactant should be clearly indicated wh
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