ASTM D5903-96(2001)

Standard Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event

SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers planning and preparing for a ground-water 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 ground-water sampling projects. In karst or fractured rock terranes, it may be appropriate to collect ground water samples from springs (see Guide D 5717). This guide focuses on sampling of ground water 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: 09-Mar-1996
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.21 - Groundwater and Vadose Zone Investigations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5903-96e1 - Standard Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Replaced By: ASTM D5903-96(2006) - Standard Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D6517-18 - Standard Guide for Field Preservation of Ground Water Samples
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D6089-19 - Standard Guide for Documenting a Groundwater Sampling Event
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D6001/D6001M-20 - Standard Guide for Direct-Push Groundwater Sampling for Environmental Site Characterization
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D5980-16 - Standard Guide for Selection and Documentation of Existing Wells for Use in Environmental Site Characterization and Monitoring
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D6771-21 - Standard Practice for Low-Flow Purging and Sampling Used for Groundwater Monitoring
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D4448-01(2019) - Standard Guide for Sampling Ground-Water Monitoring Wells
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D6911-15 - Standard Guide for Packaging and Shipping Environmental Samples for Laboratory Analysis
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D6564/D6564M-17 - Standard Guide for Field Filtration of Groundwater Samples
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D7929-20 - Standard Guide for Selection of Passive Techniques for Sampling Groundwater Monitoring Wells
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D7069-04(2015) - Standard Guide for Field Quality Assurance in a Groundwater Sampling Event
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996

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 2001)
Standard Guide for
Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5903; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Significance and Use
1.1 This guide covers planning and preparing for a ground- 3.1 The success of a sampling event is influenced by
water sampling event. It includes technical and administrative adequate planning and preparation. Use of this guide will help
considerations and procedures. Example checklists are also the ground-water sampler to methodically execute the planning
provided as Appendices. and preparation.
1.2 This guide may not cover every consideration proce- 3.2 This guide should be used by a professional or techni-
dure, or both, that is necessary before all ground-water cian that has training or experience in ground-water sampling.
sampling projects. In karst or fractured rock terranes, it may be
4. Considerations and Procedures
appropriate to collect ground water samples from springs (see
Guide D 5717). This guide focuses on sampling of ground 4.1 Evaluate the scope of the sampling and analysis pro-
gram.
water from monitoring wells; however, most of the guidance
herein can apply to the sampling of springs as well. 4.1.1 Review plans, protocols, and objectives of the sam-
pling program and event. The sampler should review the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the sampling and analysis plan, site health and safety plan,
sampling protocol, and quality assurance/quality control plan,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- when available. These documents will provide information on
required sampling procedures and also should provide the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information information in the following paragraphs.
4.1.2 Determine which wells will be sampled. The sampler
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
course of action. This document cannot replace education or should have a map or diagram showing the locations of the
wells to be sampled. Determine if there is a preferred well
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
sampling sequence specified in the sampling and analysis plan.
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre- 4.1.3 Identify the laboratory analyses to be performed on
samples from each well. The analytical requirements are often,
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this but not always, the same for each well. Determine if there is a
preferred order in filling containers based on analytes.
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this 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
document means only that the document has been approved
through the ASTM consensus process. the field (that is, chemical measurements, water level measure-
ments, etc.) Many samplers use a form to record field data and
2. Referenced Documents
other observations. The use of a form can help the sampler to
2.1 ASTM Standards: collect and record information in a consistent manner and can
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained reduce the chance of failure to collect needed data.
Fluids 4.1.5 Determine from what depth range within the well the
D 5717 Guide to the Design of Ground-Water Monitoring samples will be collected.
Systems in Karst and Fractured-Rock Aquifers 4.1.6 Evaluate the need for specialized handling of purged
water and decontamination wastewater. The waters may be
released to the ground surface, discharged to a sanitary or
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock
industrial sewer, or containerized and handled as a potentially
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground Water and
hazardous waste. Hazardous wastes will require specialized
Vadose Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved March 10, 1996. Published May 1996. labeling, storage, transportation, and disposal.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D5903–96 (2001)
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
return of samples to the laboratory also must be coordinated.
4.2 Review available information.
The sampler will need to be aware of any special instructions
4.2.1 Review well construction details. The sampler should
regarding shipment or receipt of the samples (that is, times
know the material of construction, the inside diameter, the
when samples cannot be received, unacceptable shipping
completion depth, the screened interval, and the cap type and
containers, Department of Transportation restrictions, and
lock type (if locked). This information is needed to select
documentation requirements). The sampler also must have the
purging and sampling equipment, and may be needed to select
address of the laboratory if samples will be shipped.
other tools (for example, a strap wrench to remove the cap,
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 ground-water
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 complete the sample
4.4.8 Identify laboratory documentation needs. The labora-
collection and associated field work. The amount of time
tory may have certain project identifiers, sample identifiers, or
required will affect equipment needs and possibly lodging or
forms that they use for sample tracking or data reporting, or
other administrative arrangements. I
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