This practice is applicable to sampling liquid wastes and other stratified liquids. The COLIWASA is used to obtain a vertical column of liquid representing an accurate cross-section of the sampled material. To obtain a representative sample of stratified liquids, the COLIWASA should be open at both ends so that material flows through it as it is slowly lowered to the desired sampling depth. The COLIWASA must not be lowered with the stopper in place. Opening the stopper after the tube is submerged will cause material to flow in from the bottom layer only, resulting in gross over-representation of that layer.

This practice is to be used by personnel acquiring samples.

This practice should be used in conjunction with Guide D4687 which covers sampling plans, safety, QA, preservation, decontamination, labeling and chain-of-custody procedures; Practice D5088 which covers decontamination of field equipment used at waste sites; Practice D5283 which covers project specifications and practices for environmental field operations, and Practice D5743 which covers drum sampling..

1.1 This practice describes the procedure for sampling liquids with the composite liquid waste sampler, or “COLIWASA.” The COLIWASA is an appropriate device for obtaining a representative sample from stratified or unstratified liquids. Its most common use is for sampling containerized liquids, such as tanks, barrels, and drums. It may also be used for pools and other open bodies of stagnant liquid.

Note 1—A limitation of the COLIWASA is that the stopper mechanism may not allow collection of approximately the bottom inch of material, depending on construction of the stopper.

1.2 The COLIWASA should not be used to sample flowing or moving liquids.

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 problems, 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.