ASTM D5612-94(2008)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D5612 − 94(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
Quality Planning and Field Implementation of a Water
Quality Measurement Program
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5612; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide covers planning and implementation of the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
sampling aspects of environmental data generation activities. D596 Guide for Reporting Results of Analysis of Water
Environmental data generation efforts are comprised of four D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
parts: (1) establishment of data quality objectives (DQOs); (2) D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
design of field sampling and measurement strategies and Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
specification of laboratory analyses and data acceptance crite- D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
ria;(3)implementationofsamplingandanalysisstrategies;and D3856 Guide for Management Systems in Laboratories
(4) data quality assessment. Engaged in Analysis of Water
D4210 Practice for Intralaboratory Quality Control Proce-
1.2 This guide defines the criteria that must be considered to
dures and a Discussion on Reporting Low-Level Data
ensure the quality of the field aspects of environmental data
(Withdrawn 2002)
and sample generation activities.
D4447 Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and
1.3 DQOs should be adopted prior to the application of this
Samples
guide. The data generated in accordance with this guide are
D4448 Guide for Sampling Ground-Water Monitoring Wells
subject to a final assessment to determine whether the DQOs
D4840 Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
were met. For example, many screening activities do not
D4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water
require all of the quality assurance (QA) and quality control
Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents
(QC) steps found in this guide to generate data adequate to
D5172 Guide for Documenting the Standard Operating Pro-
meet the project needs. The extent to which all of the
cedures Used for the Analysis of Water
requirements must be met remains a matter of technical
D5283 Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Re-
judgement as it relates to the established DQOs.
lated to Waste Management Activities: Quality Assurance
and Quality Control Planning and Implementation
1.4 Thisguidepresentsextensivemanagementrequirements
designed to ensure high-quality samples and data. The words E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications
“must,”“ shall,” “may,” and “should” have been selected
carefully to reflect the importance placed on many of the E178 Practice for Dealing With Outlying Observations
E1187 Terminology Relating to Conformity Assessment
statements made in this guide.
(Withdrawn 2006)
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2.2 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Documents:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
QAMS-005/80 (NTIS No. PB83170514/LL), Interm Guide-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
lines and Specifications for Preparing Quality Assurance
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the ASTM website.
thedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.02onQualitySystems,Specification, The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
and Statistics. Technical Resources, and Statistical Methods. www.astm.org.
Current edition approved July 15, 2008. Published August 2008. Originally Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5612 – 94 (2003). Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
DOI: 10.1520/D5612-94R08. www.dodssp.daps.mil.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5612 − 94 (2008)
Project Plans, Office of Monitoring Systems and Quality 5.4 This guide emphasizes the importance of communica-
Assurance, Dec. 29, 1980 tion among those involved in establishing the DQOs, planning,
QAMS-500/80. Development of Data Quality Objectives, and implementing the sampling and analysis aspects of envi-
Description of Stages I and II, July 16, 1986 ronmentaldatagenerationactivities,andassessingdataquality.
QAMS-004/80(NTISNo.PB83219667/LL), Guidelinesand
6. Project Specification
Specifications for Preparing Quality Assurance Program
6.1 Overall Project Objectives —The overall objectives of
Plans, Office of Monitoring Systems and Quality Assur-
the project must be defined prior to the start of any field and
ance, Sept. 20, 1980
laboratory activities.
3. Terminology
6.2 Data Quality Objectives—DQOs for the data generation
3.1 Definitions—The terms that are most applicable to this activity should be defined prior to the initiation of field and
guide have been defined in Terminologies D1129 and E1187. laboratory work, and they must be compatible with project
objectives. It is desirable that the field and laboratory organi-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
zations be aware of the DQOs so that the personnel conducting
3.2.1 background sample—a sample taken from a location
theworkareabletomakeinformeddecisionsduringthecourse
on or proximate to the site of interest. This sample is taken to
of the project.
document baseline or historical information.
6.3 Project Plan— The project plan should be designed to
3.2.2 collocated samples—independentsamplescollectedas
meet the project objectives and DQOs.The project plan should
close as possible to the same point in space and time and
define the following:
intended to be identical.
6.3.1 Specific Project Objectives —The objectives of the
3.2.3 data quality objectives (DQOs)— statements on the
field and laboratory work must be defined clearly, define
level of uncertainty that a decision maker is willing to accept
specific objectives for the sampling location, and describe the
in the results derived from environmental data (see QAMS-
intendedusesforthedata.Theprojectobjectivemayneedtobe
500/80).
reviewed as information is gathered. Any changes in the
3.2.4 material blank—a sample composed of construction
project objective affecting field and laboratory activities should
materials such as those used in well installation. Well devel-
be communicated to the field and laboratory personnel.
opment, pump and flow testing, and slurry wall construction.
6.3.2 Background Information—Any background informa-
Examples of these materials are bentonite, sand, drilling fluids,
tion that could affect meeting the project objective or DQOs
and source and purge water. This blank documents the con-
should be provided. For example, the identification of any
tamination resulting from usage of the construction materials.
regulatoryprogramsgoverningdatacollectionandanalysisand
thereasonforconductingthesamplecollectionworkshouldbe
3.2.5 quality assurance program plan (QAPP)—an orderly
included in the background information.
assemblageofmanagementpolicies,objectives,principles,and
6.3.3 Project management shall have individuals designated
general procedures by which an organization involved in
as having responsibility and authority for the following: (1)
environmentaldatagenerationactivitiesoutlineshowitintends
developing project documents that implement the DQOs; (2)
to produce data of known quality.
selecting field and laboratory organizations to conduct the
3.2.6 quality assurance project plan (QAPjP)—an orderly
work; (3) coordinating communication among the field and
assemblage of detailed procedures designed to produce data of
laboratoryorganizationsandgovernmentagencies,asrequired;
sufficient quality to meet the DQOs for a specific data
and (4) reviewing and assessing the final data.
collection activity.
6.3.4 Sampling requirements shall be specified, including
sampling locations, equipment and procedures, and sample
4. Summary of Guide
preservation and handling.
4.1 This guide describes the criteria and activities for
6.3.5 Analytical requirements shall be specified, including
organizations involved in obtaining water samples and gener-
theanalyticalprocedures,analytelist,requireddetectionlimits,
ating field data in terms of human and physical resources and
and required precision and bias values. Regulatory require-
QC procedures and documentation requirements depending on
ments and DQOs shall be considered when developing the
the DQOs or agreed upon project plan.
specifications.
5. Significance and Use NOTE 1—The above does not imply that the specified analytical
requirements can be met.
5.1 Environmental data are often required for making regu-
6.3.6 The QAand QC requirements shall address both field
latory and programmatic decisions. These data must be of
and laboratory activities. The means for controlling false
known quality commensurate with their intended use.
positives and false negatives shall be specified.
5.2 Certain minimal criteria must be met by the field
6.3.6.1 The types and frequency of field QC samples to be
organizations in order to meet the objectives of the water
collected, including field blanks, duplicates, and spikes, trip
monitoring activities.
blanks, equipment rinsates, background samples, reference
5.3 This guide defines the criteria for organizations taking materials, material blanks, and split samples, should be speci-
watersamplesandgeneratingenvironmentaldataandidentifies fied. Control parameters for field activities shall be described
other activities that may be required based on the DQOs. (see 7.6.3).
D5612 − 94 (2008)
6.3.6.2 The types and frequency of laboratory QC samples, 7.2.3 Personnel—It is the responsibility of the organization
such as laboratory control samples, laboratory blanks, matrix to establish personnel qualifications and training requirements
spikes, matrix duplicates, and matrix spike duplicates, shall be for all positions. Each member of the organization shall
specified. Any specific performance criteria shall be specified. possess the education, training, technical knowledge, and
Data validation criteria shall be defined. experience, or a combination thereof, to enable that individual
to perform his or her assigned functions. Personnel qualifica-
6.4 Project Documentation—All documents required for
tions shall be documented in terms of education, experience,
planning, implementing, and evaluating the data collection
and training. Training shall be provided for all staff members,
effort shall be specified. These may include, although are not
as necessary, so that they can perform their functions properly.
limited to, a statement of work, technical and cost proposals,
7.2.4 Subcontractors— The use of subcontractors shall not
work plan, sampling and analysis plan, QAPjP, health and
jeopardize data quality. The field organization is therefore
safety plan, community relations plan, documents required by
responsible for ensuring that its subcontractors are in compli-
regulatory agencies, requirements for raw field and analytical
ance with the requirements of this section as is appropriate to
records,technicalreportsassessingtheenvironmentaldata,and
the specific task(s) they are performing.
records retention policy. Planning documents shall specify the
7.3 Field Logistics:
required level of document control and identify the personnel
having access. Document formats that may be required to
7.3.1 General—Sampling site facilities shall be examined
ensure that all data needs are satisfied shall be specified. In prior to the start of work in order to ensure that all required
addition, a project schedule that identifies critical milestones itemsareavailable.Theactualsamplingareashallbeexamined
and completion dates should be available. to ensure that trucks, drilling equipment, and personnel have
access to the site. Security, health and safety, and protection of
7. Standard Guide for Environmental Field Operations theenvironmentshallbecontrolledatthesitesupportareasand
sampling site.
7.1 Purposes—the field organization must conduct its op-
7.3.2 Field Measurements—Project planning documents
erations in such a manner as to provide reliable information
shall both address the type of field measurements to be
that meets the DQOs. To achieve this goal, certain minimum
performed and plan for the appropriate area to perform the
policies and procedures must be implemented in order to meet
work. Planning documents shall address ventilation, protection
the DQOs.
from extreme weather and temperatures, access to stable
7.2 Organization— The field organization shall be struc-
power, and provisions for water and gases of required purity.
tured such that each member of the organization has a clear Plans shall be made to identify and supply applicable safety
understanding of his or her duties and responsibilities and the
equipment, as specified in the project health and safety plan.
relationship of those responsibilities to the total effort. The
7.3.3 Sample Handling, Shipping, and Storage Area—The
organizational structure, functional responsibilities, levels of
determination of whether sample shipping is necessary shall be
authority, job descriptions, and lines of communication for
made during project planning. This need is established by
activities shall be established and documented. One person
evaluating the analyses required, holding times (see Practice
may cover more than one organizational function.
D4841), and location of the site and laboratory. Shipping or
transporting of the samples to a laboratory shall be completed
7.2.1 Management—The management personnel of the field
organization is responsible for establishing organizational, in a timely manner, ensuring that the laboratory is allowed
sufficient time to perform its analysis within any required
operational, health and safety, and QA policies. Management
shall ensure that the following requirements are met: (1) the holding times.
appropriate methodologies are followed, as documented in the 7.3.3.1 Samples shall be packaged, labeled, a
...