4.1 When sampling groundwater monitoring wells, it is very important to thoroughly document all field activities. Sufficient field data should be retained to allow one to reconstruct the procedures and conditions that may have affected the integrity of a sample. The field data generated are vital to the interpretation of the chemical data obtained from laboratory analyses of samples. Field data and observations may also be useful to analytical laboratory personnel.

4.2 Due to the changing nature of regulations and other information, users are advised to thoroughly research requirements related to packaging and shipping prior to initiating a sampling event.

Note 1: The sampling of an individual groundwater monitoring well should be repeated as closely as possible each time the monitoring well is sampled. This reduces the variability of the chemical parameters due to sampling variability which is the desired result. The intent is to detect the change in chemistry by repeating the sampling protocol at each individual well. This does not mean that all the wells are sampled the same way, nor does it prohibit changes in the sampling protocol, provided they are planned and documented.

Note 2: The quality of the results produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

This guide covers what and how information should be recorded in the field when sampling a ground-water monitoring well. This guide is limited to written documentation of a ground-water sampling event. When sampling ground-water monitoring wells, it is very important to thoroughly document all field activities. It is important to record procedures used and measurements immediately after they have been accomplished and are fresh in the memory. The format of the documentation is discretionary, but should be consistent from well to well and in accordance with regulatory requirements.

1.1 This guide covers what and how information should be recorded in the field when sampling a groundwater monitoring well. Following these recommendations will provide adequate documentation in most monitoring programs. In some situations, it may be necessary to record additional or different information, or both, to thoroughly document the sampling event. In other cases, it may not be necessary to record all of the information recommended in this guide. The level of documentation will be based on site-specific conditions and regulatory requirements.

1.2 This guide is limited to written documentation of a groundwater sampling event. Other methods of documentation (that is, electronic and audiovisual) can be used but are not addressed in this guide. The specific activities addressed in this guide include documentation of static water level measurement, monitoring well purging, monitoring well sampling, field measurements, groundwater sample preparation, and groundwater sample shipment.

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, health, and environmental 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.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.