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National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program

U.S. Geological Survey
Open-File Report 95-399

Ground-Water Data-Collection Protocols and Procedures for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program: Collection and Documentation of Water-Quality Samples and Related Data

By Michael T. Koterba, Franceska D. Wilde, and Wayne W. Lapham

Abstract

Protocols for ground-water sampling are described in a report written in 1989 as part of the pilot program for the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These protocols have been reviewed and revised to address the needs of the full-scale implementation of the NAWQA Program that began in 1991. This report, which is a collaborative effort between the NAWQA Program and the USGS Office of Water Quality, is the result of that review and revision.

This report describes protocols and recommended procedures for the collection of water-quality samples and related data from wells for the NAWQA Program. Protocols and recommended procedures discussed include (1) equipment setup and other preparations for data collection; (2) well purging and field measurements; (3) collecting and processing ground-water-quality samples; (4) equipment decontamination; (5) quality-control sampling; and (6) sample handling and shipping.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Abstract
Introduction
Background
Purpose and scope
Quality assurance and quality control
Acknowledgments
Collection and documentation of water-quality samples and related data
Data-quality requirements
Plans and preparations
Field protocols and recommended procedures
References cited
Appendix. Examples of field forms for the collection of ground-water data and samples for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program

Errata for Open-File Report 95-399

Errata file - (last updated March 25, 1997).

This report is available online in Portable Document Format (PDF). If you do not have the Adobe Reader, it is available for free download from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Download the report (PDF, .8 MB)

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For further information about this report, contact the National Water-Quality Assessment Program office.



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