Water and Wastewater Sample Collection and Preservation Presented by:
Dianne Frydrych
Sales & Marketing Manager - 602-324-6121
[email protected]
LEGEND TECHNICAL SERVICES of AZ PHOENIX & TUCSON OFFICES 7 Day Turn Around Time including Reports on most in-house analyses.
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WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL!
Compliance with Regulations Ultimate Goal:
Laboratory Licensure & Certification ADHS – AZ Department of Health Services EPA – Environmental Protection Agency NELAC – National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference
Laboratory Licensure & Certification Analysis must be performed by: An ADHS Certified/Licensed Laboratory
GOVERNING AUTHORITIES: AZ Dept of Health Services EPA National Environmental Lab Accreditation Conference
Protection of Public Health
To Comply with Regulations Must use a Licensed, Certified Laboratory Analysis must be Performed by Methods Specified
LAB MUST APPLY FOR LICENSURE
Methods, Procedures, Policies Quality Assurance Manual SOPs in Place Audits – take care of issues, another audit……
Special Requests
Bottle Orders Custom COCs Extra Bottles to be Sent Class to be presented on different sampling techniques/or PDHs needed. Sample Drop Off/Extended Hours Detection Limits
Preservatives
Always be aware of what the preservatives can do to your: Lungs, Eyes, Skin, Health When in doubt, consult the Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for that chemical
Request a Class from your Lab to come out and detail each preservative and how to protect yourself.
Contamination Prevention
Clean Containers Preservatives Equipment Proper Containers Sampling Technique
Steps in Sampling Planning and Preparing for Sampling Documentation (of EVERYTHING) Sampling Lab Data Analysis, Handling, Storage, & Presentation
Well Abandonment
Keep an eye out for wells that are poorlymaintained or out of service
Wells no longer in use should be properly decommissioned
IT’S THE LAW!!! Reduces chance of aquifer contamination
QAPP & SOPs
WHY do we need this too????
QAPP = Quality Assurance Project Plan Overall, guiding plan for each project or program Outlines REASONS for monitoring Provides GENERAL PROCEDURES Describes RESPONSIBILITIES References individual SOPs
SOP = Standard Operating Procedure Written procedures on how to do specific tasks Select SOPs to meet objectives of sampling program Procedures must be documented for every sampling event at each well! Similar to a RECIPE or ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
General Considerations The result of any analysis is no better than the sample on which it is performed. Sample collection procedures, preservation steps, and chain-ofcustody are essential elements of any sampling plan.
Considerations Before Sampling Type of samples to be collected Number of locations to be sampled Site conditions and safety Equipment, bottles, preservatives, and paperwork Transport and holding times
Types of Samples
Grab versus Composite Inorganic Contaminants Organic Compounds (VOCs, SOCs) Microbiologicals Radiochemicals
Documentation (cont’d.)
“If you do not write it down, it never happened.”
ADEQ Forms
Approved Forms for Reporting Coliforms VOCs SOCs IOCs Etc.
Contaminant Codes Responsibilities
Protect Sample
Chemical, Physical & Biological Integrity Acids
or Bases to Control pH Ascorbic Acid or Sodium Thiosulfate to Reduce Residual Chlorine Temperature (Usually 4º C) Storage in the Dark (amber bottles) Holding Times – Loss of Analyte Over Time
Protect Sample
Chemical, Physical & Biological Integrity Acids or Bases to Control pH Ascorbic Acid or Sodium Thiosulfate to Reduce Residual Chlorine Temperature (Usually 4º C) Storage in the Dark (amber bottles)
Holding Times – Loss of Analyte Over Time
Labeling
Alert lab to any special requests
Other Considerations When You Sample
Is your sample representative of what you are sampling?
Has chain-of-custody of the samples been maintained at all times?
Chain-of-Custody (cont’d.)
Essential Elements: Name and signature of collector Date, time, location of collection Sample type, analysis needed, and # containers Preservatives Signatures of persons in possession of sample (all times) Sample Identification Client name and contact information
Documentation
Field Notes and Maps Site Conditions Sample collection sites Sample labeling Chain-of-custody form Trace possession and handling of sample Required for regulatory purposes and litigation Legal document
Safety During Sample Collection
Samples and preservatives may be harmful – take precautions! Avoid exposure Be aware of site hazards No eating or drinking near samples or collection sites
Safety (cont’d.)
Personal Protective Equipment Gloves (nitrile, latex, etc.) Eye protection Aprons or chemical protective clothing (if required) If in doubt, consult an Industrial Hygienist or Safety Professional
Sample Containers
Container Selection Container Types Plastic: Inorganics/Metals Glass: Organics Glass vials: Volatile Organics Sterile bottles: Microbiology
Sample Preservation & Handling
Used to prevent: Absorption of analyte onto container walls (e.g. metals) Precipitation of analyte (e.g. metals) Microbiological activity Other changes that result in loss of target analyte
Sample Preservation and Handling (cont’d.)
Field Preservation Requirements
Organics (EPA 524.2, 525, 549)
Head space requirements Volatile organics samples Other samples
Sample Temperature
Use of cubed/wet ice recommended
Sample Holding Times
Be aware of short holding time parameters
Allow adequate time for sample login and analysis at the laboratory
Analysis past holding time may impact results significantly
When In Doubt... Do
not hesitate to contact a licensed environmental laboratory for guidance – we are here to assist you.
QA/QC Samples
Blanks and Duplicates
Field Blank: Distilled/deionized water, prepared in field, labeled (e.g. Blank #1), and handled same as other samples
Should come back non-detect; indicates possible contamination in handling/analysis
Duplicate: Second sample taken at well, labeled (e.g. Duplicate #1), and handled same as other samples
Compare w/ regular sample; results should be similar
Other QA/QC Samples
Spiked Sample
A water sample to which a known amount of a specific constituent has been added
Reference (Known) Sample
Can be prepared in lab or field
A sample with a documented contaminant concentration run through w/ normal sample stream
Both results are compared to known concentration
Other Issues in Planning & Preparation
Equipment readiness Field meters GPS Vehicles Staff readiness Adequate numbers Training Health issues
Well availability
Lab readiness
Permission Wells running Delivery time & method Paperwork Preservation
Weather
Yet Another QA/QC Sample
Split Sample Sample taken simultaneously or sequentially and sent to alternate lab for analysis Results compared to original sample Cross-check for primary lab or field methods
Documentation of EVERYTHING!!!
Sampling station/field sheet Location (TRS, Lon/Lat) Well ID (Registration, Clearinghouse, NRD ID) Well “Pedigree” (Type, Depth, Screen, Age) Well Condition (Pad/Seal, Oil, Subsidence) Area Conditions (Crops, Chemical Storage, Septic Tanks, Livestock) Review this info when interpreting results and in future sampling!
QUESTIONS?
