ASTM D5254/D5254M-92(2010)e1
(Practice)Standard Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to Identify a Groundwater Site (Withdrawn 2019)
Standard Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to Identify a Groundwater Site (Withdrawn 2019)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Normally, the basic groundwater data are gathered by trained personnel during the field investigation phase of a study. Each agency or company has its own methods of obtaining, recording, and storing the information. Usually, these data are recorded onto forms that serve both in organizing the information in the field and the office, and many times as entry forms for a computer data base. For groundwater data to be of maximum value to the current project and any future studies, it is essential that a minimum set of key data elements be recorded for each site. The data elements presented in this practice do not uniquely imply a computer data base, but rather the minimum set of groundwater data elements that should be collected for entry into any type of permanent file.
When obtaining basic data concerning a groundwater site, it is necessary to identify thoroughly that site so that it may be readily field located again with minimal uncertainty and that it may be accurately plotted and interpreted for data parameters in relationship to other sites. For example, information can be presented on scientific maps and in summary tables.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers what information should be obtained for any individual groundwater site, also known as monitoring location or sampling station. As used in this practice, a site is meant to be a single point, not a geographic area or property. 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 (see 6.4.2.3).
Note 1—There are many additional data elements that may be necessary to identify a site, but are not included in the minimum set of data elements. An agency or company may require additional data elements as a part of their minimum set.
1.2 This practice includes those data elements that will distinguish a site as to its geographical location on the surface of the earth, political regimes, source identifiers, and individual site characteristics. These elements apply to all groundwater sites. Each category of site, such as a well or spring, may individually require additional data elements to be complete. Many of the suggested components and representative codes for coded data elements are those established by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey and used in the National Water Information Systems computerized data base (1).
Note 2—The data elements presented in this practice do not uniquely imply a computer data base, but rather the minimum set of groundwater data elements that should be collected for entry into any type of permanent file.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma) calculations are involved.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This practice offers a set of ins...
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
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Designation: D5254/D5254M − 92 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Practice for
Minimum Set of Data Elements to Identify a Groundwater
Site
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5254/D5254M; 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 1.3 and the designation were revised editorially in August 2010.
1. Scope 1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
[presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as
1.1 This practice covers what information should be ob-
standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact
tained for any individual groundwater site, also known as
equivalents;therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependently
monitoring location or sampling station. As used in this
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
practice, a site is meant to be a single point, not a geographic
result in non-conformance with the standard.
area or property. A groundwater site is defined as any source,
1.3.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used
location, or sampling station capable of producing water or
when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound
hydrologic data from a natural stratum from below the surface
(lbf)representsaunitofforce(weight),whiletheunitformass
of the earth. A source or facility can include a well, spring or
isslugs.Therationalizedslugunitisnotgiven,unlessdynamic
seep, and drain or tunnel (nearly horizontal in orientation).
(F = ma) calculations are involved.
Other sources, such as excavations, driven devices, bore holes,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ponds, lakes, and sinkholes, that can be shown to be hydrau-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
lically connected to the groundwater, are appropriate for the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
use intended (see 6.4.2.3).
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
NOTE 1—There are many additional data elements that may be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
necessary to identify a site, but are not included in the minimum set of
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
data elements. An agency or company may require additional data
elements as a part of their minimum set. one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
1.2 This practice includes those data elements that will
withprofessionaljudgment.Notallaspectsofthispracticemay
distinguish a site as to its geographical location on the surface
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
oftheearth,politicalregimes,sourceidentifiers,andindividual
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
site characteristics. These elements apply to all groundwater
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
sites. Each category of site, such as a well or spring, may
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
individually require additional data elements to be complete.
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
Many of the suggested components and representative codes
title of this document means only that the document has been
for coded data elements are those established by the Water
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey and used in
the National Water Information Systems computerized data
2 2. Referenced Documents
base (1).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 2—The data elements presented in this practice do not uniquely
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
imply a computer data base, but rather the minimum set of groundwater
Fluids
dataelementsthatshouldbecollectedforentryintoanytypeofpermanent
file.
3. Terminology
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
3.1 Definitions:
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
Vadose Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D5254–92(2004). For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
DOI: 10.1520/D5254_D5254M-92R10E01. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
end of the text. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D5254/D5254M − 92 (2010)
3.1.1 For definitions of terms applicable to this practice 6.1.2.1 Latitude—Latitude is a coordinate representation
refer to Terminology D653. that indicates locations on the surface of the earth using the
earth’s equator as the respective latitudinal origin. Record the
4. Summary of Practice
best available value for the latitude of the site in degrees,
minutes, seconds, and fractions of a second (DDMMSSss). If
4.1 This practice includes the following data elements to
latitudeofthesiteissouthoftheEquator,precedethenumbers
identify a groundwater site:
with a minus sign (−). The use of N or S is also appropriate
4.1.1 Geographic Location—Including latitude, longitude,
(1-8).
latitude-longitude coordinate accuracy, altitude, and altitude
6.1.2.2 Longitude—Longitudeisacoordinaterepresentation
accuracy.
that indicates locations on the surface of the Earth using the
4.1.2 Political Regimes—Including state or country
prime meridian (Greenwich, England) as the longitudinal
identification, and county or county equivalent.
origin. Record the best available value for the longitude of the
4.1.3 Source Identifiers—Including owner’s name, source
site, in degrees, minutes, seconds, and fractions of a second
agencyorcompanyandaddress,uniqueidentification,anddate
(DDDMMSSss).Iflongitudeofthesiteismeasuredeastofthe
of first record for the groundwater site.
Greenwich Meridian, precede the numbers with a minus sign
4.1.4 Individual Site Characteristics—Including hydrologic
(−). The use of E or W is also appropriate (1-8).
unit, setting, type of groundwater site, use of site, use of water
from site, and reason for data collection. 6.1.2.3 Latitude-Longitude Coordinate Accuracy—Record
the accuracy of the latitude and longitude values. Suggested
5. Significance and Use coordinate accuracy components and representative codes are
as follows (1, 6, 7, 8):
5.1 Normally, the basic groundwater data are gathered by
H — The measurement is accurate to ±0.01 s.
trained personnel during the field investigation phase of a
U — The measurement is accurate to ±0.1 s.
study. Each agency or company has its own methods of
S — The measurement is accurate to ±1 s.
obtaining, recording, and storing the information. Usually,
F — The measurement is accurate to ±5 s.
T — The measurement is accurate to ±10 s.
thesedataarerecordedontoformsthatservebothinorganizing
M — The measurement is accurate to ±1 min.
the information in the field and the office, and many times as
entry forms for a computer data base. For groundwater data to NOTE 4—Components and corresponding codes listed under data
elements, such as latitude-longitude coordinate accuracy and setting, are
be of maximum value to the current project and any future
only suggestions. An agency or company may require additional compo-
studies, it is essential that a minimum set of key data elements
nents to fully describe their groundwater sites. Also, having the data
be recorded for each site. The data elements presented in this
element components written out, for example, “accurate to within 1 s” for
practicedonotuniquelyimplyacomputerdatabase,butrather
the latitude-longitude accuracy, may be preferred to the use of codes.The
important factor is that each data element in the “minimum set of data
the minimum set of groundwater data elements that should be
elements” be included with every groundwater site.
collected for entry into any type of permanent file.
6.1.2.4 Altitude—Record the altitude of land surface or
5.2 When obtaining basic data concerning a groundwater
measuring point. Altitude of the land surface is the vertical
site, it is necessary to identify thoroughly that site so that it
distance in feet (or metres) either above or below a reference
may be readily field located again with minimal uncertainty
datum surface. The reference datum surface must be noted.
and that it may be accurately plotted and interpreted for data
parameters in relationship to other sites. For example, infor-
NOTE 5—In the United States, this reference surface should be the
mation can be presented on scientific maps and in summary
North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988 or National Geodetic
Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929. If another vertical reference datum is
tables.
used to determine the altitude, describe the system. Altitudes below the
reference datum must be preceded by a minus sign (−) (1, 2, 4, 7, 8).
6. Documentation
NOTE 6—The measuring point is usually a clearly defined mark or
6.1 Geographic Location:
permanently fixed object at a groundwater site that is used for conducting
repeated evaluations, such as water levels in a monitoring well.
6.1.1 Introduction—The universally accepted coordinates
defining the absolute two-dimensional location of a site on the
6.1.2.5 Altitude Accuracy—Record the accuracy of the alti-
Earth’s surface are latitude and longitude. The coordinates are
tude.Asanexample,record1.0foranaccuracyof 61mor0.1
determined by careful measurement from an accurate map or
for 60.1“th” m to denote the judged error of the measurement
bysurvey.Thethird-dimensionofthelocationisestablishedby
(1, 3).
determining the altitude at the site, usually from topographic
4 6.2 Political Regimes:
maps or by surveying techniques (2).
6.2.1 Introduction—The placement of the groundwater site
NOTE 3—If sites are located by plane coordinates, plant location grids,
intoapoliticaljurisdictionassistsintheproperidentificationof
or referenced to recoverable benchmarks, they may be recorded if the
the site.
position is converted to absolute location coordinates by an acceptable
6.2.2 Documentation Procedures:
method.
6.2.2.1 State or Country Identification— Record the state or
6.1.2 Documentation Procedures:
country in which the site is physically located. The common
systems for identifying states and countries are the Federal
Information Processing Standard code (FIPS), a two-digit
Available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port
Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, http://www.ntis.gov. numeric code or theAmerican National Standard abbreviation
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D5254/D5254M − 92 (2010)
two-letter code. The country codes are a two-character and a 6.4.2 Documentation Procedures:
set of three-character alphabetic codes (1, 3, 9, 10, 11). 6.4.2.1 Hydrologic Unit—Record the hydrologic unit code
for the Office ofWater Data Coordination (OWDC) cataloging
NOTE 7—The publications (9, 10, 12) containing the codes for
unit in which the site is located. This eight-digit code consists
countries, states, and counties are available from the National Technical
of four 2-digit parts (1, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14): hydrographic region
Information Service.
code, subregion code designated by the Water Resources
6.2.2.2 County and County Equivalent—Record the county
Council, accounting unit within the National Water Data
orcountyequivalentinwhichthesiteisphysicallylocated.The
Network, and cataloging unit of the USGS’s “Catalog of
commoncodesystemforidentifyingcountiesistheFIPScode,
Information on Water Data.”
a three-digit numeric code. The documentation of political
subdivisionswilldependonthesystemusedineachindividual
NOTE 9—An explanation of a hydrologic unit code, for example Code
07080107, is the following; Region Code “07” is the Upper Mississippi
country (1, 3, 7, 11).
River Basin above the confluence with the Ohio River; Subregion Code
NOTE 8—In many cases, it is necessary to record a subdivision of the
“08” is the Mississippi River Basin below Lock and Dam 13 to the
local government to further identify the area where the groundwater site
confluence with the Des Moines River Basin, excluding the Rock River
is located. Some of the local subdivisions are a city, town, village,
Basins;Accounting Unit Code “01” is the Mississippi River Basin below
municipality, township, or borough. Identify the local subdivision, for
Lock and Dam 13 to the confluence with the Des Moines River Basin,
example “City of Rockville,” to clearly denote the unit.
excluding the Iowa and Rock River Basins; and Catalog Unit Code “07”
is the Skunk River Basin of Iowa.
6.3 Source Identifiers:
NOTE 10—State hydrologic unit maps delineating the hydrographic
6.3.1 Introduction—Thegroundwatersitemustbeidentified
6 4
boundaries of these units are available (see Ref (13)).
astotheowner,theagencyorcompanythatrecordeddata,and
6.4.2.2 Setting—Record the information that best describes
its distinctive classification.
the setting in which the site is located. Setting refers to the
6.3.2 Documentation Procedures:
topographic or geomorphic features in the vicinity of the site.
6.3.2.1 Owner’s Name—Record the name of the property
Suggested setting components and representative codes are as
ownerofthegroundwatersite.Therecommendedformatforan
follows (1, 8):
individual’s name is: last name, first name, middle initial. If a
A — Alluvial fan
company’s name is lengthy, use meaningful abbreviations (1,
B — Playa
8).
C — Stream channel
6.3.2.2 Source Agency or Company and Address—Record D — Local depression
E — Dunes
the name and address of the agency or company that collected
F — Flat surface
the data for the groundwater site. This data element is
G — Flood plain
necessary to determine the original source of the data for the H — Hilltop
I — Inland wetlands
site. A coded list of agency and company names is available
J — River delta
through National Water Data Exchange (NAWDEX); the list
K — Sinkhole
L — Lake
has over 1200 organizations that actively collect and store
M — Mangrove swamp or coastal wetlands
water data throughout the United States (1, 3-6, 12).
O — Offshore (estuary)
6.3.2.3 Unique Identification—Record the unique naming
P — Pediment
that the agency or company uses to identify the groundwater S — Hillside (slope)
T — Alluvial or marine terrace
si
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