Field QA demonstrates the effectiveness of field quality control procedures. Effective QA facilitates the collection of statistically significant data that is defendable scientifically and in a court of law. QA also involves the use of consistent procedures, increasing the validity of data comparison among sampling locations and events.

This guide should be used by a professional or technician who has training or experience in groundwater sampling.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide covers the quality assurance (QA) methods that may be used to assure the validity of data obtained during the sampling of a groundwater monitoring well. QA is any action taken to ensure that performance requirements are met by following standards and procedures. Following QA practices becomes even more critical if the data must be validated in a court of law. Under certain conditions, it may be necessary to follow additional or different QA practices from those listed in this guide. QA practices should be based upon data quality objectives, site-specific conditions, and regulatory requirements.

1.2 This standard addresses QA procedures used in the field and does not refer to laboratory QA procedures

1.3 This standard also 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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This standard provides guidance for selecting and performing various field QA procedures. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgement. Not all of the procedures are 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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids

D5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment Used at Waste Sites

D5608 Practices for Decontamination of Field Equipment Used at Low Level Radioactive Waste Sites

D5903 Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwater Sampling Event

D6089 Guide for Documenting a Ground-Water Sampling Event

D6452 Guide for Purging Methods for Wells Used for Ground-Water Quality Investigations

D6517 Guide for Field Preservation of Groundwater Samples

D6564 Guide for Field Filtration of Ground-Water Samples

D6771 Practice for Low-Flow Purging and Sampling for Wells and Devices Used for Ground-Water Quality Investigations

Keywords

groundwater sampling; quality assurance; sampling and analysis plan: Ground-water monitoring/sampling; Quality assurance (QA); Sampling ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.060.45 (Examination of water in general)

Citing ASTM Standards

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