ASTM D5903-96(2012)

Standard Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The success of a sampling event is influenced by adequate planning and preparation. Use of this guide will help the groundwater sampler to methodically execute the planning and preparation.  
3.2 This guide should be used by a professional or technician that has training or experience in groundwater sampling.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers planning and preparing for a groundwater sampling event. It includes technical and administrative considerations and procedures. Example checklists are also provided as Appendices.  
1.2 This guide may not cover every consideration procedure, or both, that is necessary before all groundwater sampling projects. In karst or fractured rock terranes, it may be appropriate to collect groundwater samples from springs (see Guide D5717). This guide focuses on sampling of groundwater from monitoring wells; however, most of the guidance herein can apply to the sampling of springs as well.  
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 through the ASTM consensus process.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2012
• ICS: 13.060.10 - Water of natural resources
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.21 - Groundwater and Vadose Zone Investigations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5903-96(2006) - Standard Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D5980-16 - Standard Guide for Selection and Documentation of Existing Wells for Use in Environmental Site Characterization and Monitoring
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6517-18 - Standard Guide for Field Preservation of Ground Water Samples
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6564/D6564M-17 - Standard Guide for Field Filtration of Groundwater Samples
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D4448-01(2019) - Standard Guide for Sampling Ground-Water Monitoring Wells
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6771-21 - Standard Practice for Low-Flow Purging and Sampling Used for Groundwater Monitoring
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D7929-20 - Standard Guide for Selection of Passive Techniques for Sampling Groundwater Monitoring Wells
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6001/D6001M-20 - Standard Guide for Direct-Push Groundwater Sampling for Environmental Site Characterization
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D7069-04(2015) - Standard Guide for Field Quality Assurance in a Groundwater Sampling Event
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6089-19 - Standard Guide for Documenting a Groundwater Sampling Event
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6911-15 - Standard Guide for Packaging and Shipping Environmental Samples for Laboratory Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012

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
Designation: D5903 − 96 (Reapproved 2012)
Standard Guide for
Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5903; 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 tems in Karst and Fractured-Rock Aquifers (Withdrawn
2005)
1.1 This guide covers planning and preparing for a ground-
water sampling event. It includes technical and administrative
3. Significance and Use
considerations and procedures. Example checklists are also
3.1 The success of a sampling event is influenced by
provided as Appendices.
adequate planning and preparation. Use of this guide will help
1.2 This guide may not cover every consideration
the groundwater sampler to methodically execute the planning
procedure, or both, that is necessary before all groundwater
and preparation.
sampling projects. In karst or fractured rock terranes, it may be
3.2 This guide should be used by a professional or techni-
appropriate to collect groundwater samples from springs (see
cian that has training or experience in groundwater sampling.
Guide D5717).This guide focuses on sampling of groundwater
from monitoring wells; however, most of the guidance herein
4. Considerations and Procedures
can apply to the sampling of springs as well.
4.1 Evaluate the scope of the sampling and analysis pro-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
gram.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1.1 Review plans, protocols, and objectives of the sam-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
pling program and event. The sampler should review the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
sampling and analysis plan, site health and safety plan,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sampling protocol, and quality assurance/quality control plan,
1.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information
when available. These documents will provide information on
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
required sampling procedures and also should provide the
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
information in the following paragraphs.
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
4.1.2 Determine which wells will be sampled. The sampler
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
should have a map or diagram showing the locations of the
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
wells to be sampled. Determine if there is a preferred well
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
sampling sequence specified in the sampling and analysis plan.
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
4.1.3 Identify the laboratory analyses to be performed on
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
samples from each well. The analytical requirements are often,
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
but not always, the same for each well. Determine if there is a
document means only that the document has been approved
preferred order in filling containers based on analytes.
through the ASTM consensus process.
4.1.4 Identify data to be collected in the field. The sampler
must know in advance what types of data must be collected in
2. Referenced Documents
the field (that is, chemical measurements, water level
2.1 ASTM Standards:
measurements, etc.) Many samplers use a form to record field
D5717 Guide for Design of Ground-Water Monitoring Sys-
data and other observations. The use of a form can help the
sampler to collect and record information in a consistent
manner and can reduce the chance of failure to collect needed
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock
data.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
4.1.5 Determine from what depth range within the well the
Vadose Zone Investigations.
samples will be collected.
Current edition approved July 1, 2012. Published November 2012. Originally
4.1.6 Evaluate the need for specialized handling of purged
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D5903 – 96 (2006).
DOI: 10.1520/D5903-96R12.
water and decontamination wastewater. The waters may be
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5903 − 96 (2012)
released to the ground surface, discharged to a sanitary or times the shipping containers for the return of samples. The
industrial sewer, or containerized and handled as a potentially project manager or sampler will need to provide the details
hazardous waste. Hazardous wastes will require specialized needed to accomplish this. The laboratory will need to know
labeling, storage, transportation, and disposal. the number of containers and preservatives for each analyte,
when the containers are needed, whether containers will be
4.1.7 Identify all documentation and field quality control
picked up or shipped, and the address of the location to which
procedures stipulated in the sampling and analysis plan or
containers/preservatives must be shipped. The laboratory
quality control plan.
should specify any related administrative requirements. The
4.2 Review available information.
return of samples to the laboratory also must be coordinated.
4.2.1 Review well construction details. The sampler should
The sampler will need to be aware of any special instructions
know the material of construction, the inside diameter, the
regarding shipment or receipt of the samples (that is, times
completion depth, the screened interval, and the cap type and
when samples cannot be received, unacceptable shipping
lock type (if locked). This information is needed to select
containers, Department of Transportation restrictions, and
purging and sampling equipment, and may be needed to select
documentation requirements). The sampler also must have the
other tools (for example, a strap wrench to remove the cap,
address of the laboratory if samples will be shipped.
boltcutters or a hack saw to remove damaged locks, or keys for
4.4.4 When the sampler is also the project manager, the
locks).
methods of analyses and lower reporting limits also must be
4.2.2 Evaluate historical well performance and chemical
coordinated with the laboratory. These are chosen based on the
characteristics of the water from each well, if available. The
data quality objectives.
behavior of the well during past sampling events is useful
4.4.5 Identify the sample volumes, preparation, and holding
information in the planning process. This may include the flow
time requirements. The sampler should be aware of the total
rate in the screened interval, the maximum pumping rate, the
volume of water that must be collected from each well. This
time required to purge the well, whether the well is easily
may influence the selection of sampling equipment. The
bailed or pumped dry, etc. Knowledge of the past groundwater
sampler also should know what will be involved in the
chemistry and non-aqueous phase liquids in the well also can
preparation of samples (that is, chemical and physical preser-
be useful. The turbidity of the water may influence sampling
vation). This knowledge is needed to make logistical arrange-
methods and the need for or approach to filtration of samples.
ments. For example, the sampler may need to use an area near
Use of personal protective equipment also may be dictated by
the site that has an electrical outlet and a sink if filtration is
known contamination of the water from a well.
required. Lastly, the sampler must know if any of the samples
4.2.3 Evaluate the physical setting of the well locations.
have a short holding time (maximum allowable time between
This is necessary to determine the accessibility of the wells.
sample collection and preparation or analysis). Collecting
Access could be impeded or difficult due to mud, snow, trees,
samples with short holding times could influence the timing or
fences, steep hills, secured areas, etc. This information will
method of sample shipment.
help the sampler determine what type of vehicle is needed,
4.4.6 Inform the laboratory of any special requirements that
whether special tools are needed, or whether administrative
are different than normal laboratory procedures.
clearances are required, or both.
4.4.7 Notify the laboratory of the types and numbers of field
4.2.4 For wells with dedicated sampling equipment find out
quality control samples that will be submitted. Some quality
the type of equipment, pump depth, whether there are any
controlsampleswillbepreparedorcollectedinthefield;others
packers in the well, where packers are set, and the power
willbepreparedinthelaboratory.Thesamplermustknowhow
source for equipment.
to collect and prepare the field quality control samples.
4.3 Estimate the time required to co
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