Standard Operating Procedures for Surface Water Sampling

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR SURFACE WATER QUALITY SAMPLINGmetal spring in the spigot, do not open the spigot.For field cleaning, discard acid in a bucket withenough limestone or suitable material to neutralizethe acid until it can be disposed of properly at thelaboratory. For laboratory cleaning, discard usedacid in a waste container labeled “HCl waste” orflush down sink with a copious amount of runningwater.4. Rinse all surfaces thoroughly (at least twice) with deionizedwater.FIGURE 1.6. DH-81nozzle and bottle.5. After the second rinse, pour approximately 2 liters of de-ionized water into the churn.Swirl the water in the churn; then check the pH with test strip paper. If less than 5.5 SU,discard rinse water and rinse again with de-ionized water.6. Set cleaned equipment on a suitable drying rack in a contaminant free environment.7. Double wrap the churn with clean heavy-duty trash bags to protect from contaminantsduring storage and transportation. Place cleaned DH-81 parts in heavy duty sandwich bagsto protect from contaminants.1.6 FILTRATION AND TUBINGSilicon tubing is needed if dissolved metals are to be collected. The silicon-based tube should becut to length in the lab before going into the field. While cutting the tubing, wear a pair of cleanlab gloves and make the cut with a ceramic knife on a clean surface to prevent contamination ofthe tubing. After cutting the pieces to length (one tubing per site, plus any extra needed forQA/QC samples), place them in a clean, sealable plastic bag for transport to the monitoring sites.Do not allow tube ends to come in contact with any surfaces either in the lab or in thefield.1.7 SITE RECONNAISSANCESite reconnaissance a vital part of preparing for a sampling run. The reconnaissance may be assimple as looking up the information on the database to see how to get there and determining whoowns the property or it may require a special visit to determine if the site is accessible.At a minimum the following questions should be considered before heading to a site. Who owns the land? If it is a private owner, did they grant access just for one trip or for multiple trips? Do theywant to be notified before you come? Are the directions adequate? Do you need to rewrite them? Will the sampling crew need a DH81 or churn splitter? Is the site perennial, intermittent or ephemeral?REVISED SEPTEMBER 2012 16