lS 13969:1994

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Indian Standard
SAMFLING OF GROUNDWATERS
GUtrDELINES

UDC 628 ll2:543'3

Brs

1994

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDAR.DS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR
NEW DELHI I IOOO2

Iuly

1994

MAR.G

Price GrouP 4

Ground Water and Preliminary Investigation Sectional Committee, RVD

FOREWORD
This Indian Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finali:"gd !V
the Ground Water and Preiiminaiy Investigation Sectional Committee had been approved by the
River Valley Division Council.
This standard deals with the sampling of groundwaters, the techniques to be used and the handling
of water samples obtained from groundwaier sources.

The general purpose of sampling programmes commonly devised for gror,rndwaters is to

the quality of

groundwater iupp-lies,

groundwater resource management.

Io

survey

detect and asseis groundwater pollution and to assist in

In the preparation of this standard considerable assistance has been derived from ISO 5667
(Part ll ): 1993'Waterquality- Sampling: Part ll Guidance on sampling of groundwaters''
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, thefinal value, bbserved or caliulated, expiessing the reiult of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off
in accordance with IS 2: 1960'Rules'for rorinding offnumerical values (revised\'. The number of
significant places retained in the rounded off valu--e should be the same as that of the specified value
in this standard.

IS

13969

| 1994

Indian Standard
SAMPLING OF GROUNDWATERS
GUIDELINES
I

it is advisable to use special equipment

manufactured from glass, stainless steel, or
other material incapable of leaching organic
interest,

SCOPE

1.1 This standard presents guidance on the

design of sampling programmes, sampling techniques and the handling of water samples derived
from groundwater for physical, chemical and

constituents.

microbiological assessment.

4.1.1 Malerials for Borehole Construction

1.2 This gtandard does not cover sampling related

to the day-to'day operational control of groundwater abstractions for potable or other purposes,
but is concerned with the general quality
surveillance of groundwaters. Because of the
complexity of groundwater sy$tems, many specific
sampling applications will require specialist
hydrogeological advice which cannot be detailed
in this standard.

Suitable materials for monitoring borehole casing

and screen are required to avoid modification to
the chemistry of groundwater samplcs. Threaded

2 REFERENCES
The following standards are necessary adjuncts to
the standard:
15 No.

(Partl):
1986

3025

4410 (Part I l/
Sec 6 ) : 1985

joints on well casing are recommended so that

glues and cements do not introduce additional
risk of sample modification. A wide variety of
materials are available for use in borehole con'
struction. In view of their low cost, widespread
availability and easy handling, the common
thermopiastics ( notably rigid PVC ) are recommended for most groundwater sampling purpose$.
However, groundwater that is highly contaminated with synthti6-organic solvents will attack and
deteriorate PVC well casing and screen. In such

circumstances stainless steel

or

polytetrafluor-

ethylene are the materials recommended for

Methods of sampling and test borehole construction because of their resistant,
( physical and chemical ) for inert character.
water and waste water: Part I
Sampling
4.2 Types of Equipment
Glossary of terms relating to
river valley projects : Part I I
Title

HydrologY, Section

Ground-

water

3 TERMINOLOGY
3.1 For the purpose of this standard the
definitions given in lS 4410 (Part 1l/Sec 6) :
1985 shall apply.

4 SAMPLING EQUIPMENT
4.1 Materials
General information on the choice of materials
for sampling and bottles is given in IS 3025
( Part I ) : 1986. Polyethylene, polvorop
are recomoolvcarbonate and s6ss-cdGinAs ..'_:

4.2.1 Pumps

A wide variety of

pumps, many of which are

portable, are suitable for groundwater application.

They differ greatly in their design and pumping
capacity and are suited to different conditions of

borehole construction and sampling depth.

Suction lift pumps installed at the surface cannot
lift water from more than 6 m and submersible

electric pumps are therefore recommended for

most groundwater sampling. Suction lift pumps
should not be employed in those situations where
sampling is carried out to examine primarily the
dissolved gaseous content of groundwaters.
4.2.2 D?pth Sampling Equipment

in6ndill6r most ;ambtin-g-sriuaTi6ni.

If the biological quality of groundwater is

Depth sampling equipment ( often known as

that can be
likely 'thref' or'grab' sarnplers ) are devices
at a
a
sample
to
collect
lowered
into
a
borehole
to cause changes in the physico-chemical composi- specific depth. Designs differ mainly in their
tion of the water, as much light as possible should closing meihanism. Open tube samplers allow
be excluded by using opaque sample containers.
throughflow of water and can bc sealed at a

for organic consti- specific depth be means of a mechanical messenger

tuents, contamination of the sample by other o1 electrically operated catch. For some specific
organic material used in the construction of the purposes, such as sampling an aquifer contamiborehole or present in the sampling equipment natad by an immiscible organic compound, a
needs to be minimised. This is especially important sealed depth sampler is preferable. The design
whero trace levels of organic constituents are of used should be such that no water comes into

When sampling groundwater

r
lS

13969 ,1994

contact with thc sainple container until the device

is activated at the required depth. Where other
methods ol sampling are impractical, such as in
very deep aquilers ( i.e. greater than 100 m ),
depth sampling is recommend;d.
Samples of water may also be collected in a bailer

during drilling to provide crude data

on

ground-

water quality variation with depth. On other

occasions, where pumping of a borehole is not
possible, a sirnple bailer such as a weighted bottle
or other open container can be lowered into the
borehole to collect a water sample. The use of a
bailer is only recommended for sampiing the
surface layer of the aquifers and is not recommsnded where other methods are available.
4.2.3 In-situ Sampling Devices
These include devices such as porous cups and
piezometer points that are permanently installed
at a specific depth in the aquifer from which
discrete samples can be collected, These sampling
devices are often installed at different deptns in
a boiehole. Porous ceramic cups rnay be used in
the unsaturated or saturated zones. To extract
water that enters the porous cup, a vacuurn is
applied through a tube attached to tire cup.
There are other devices that allorv water to enter
through a wire mesh into a sample chaorber tirat is
evacuated by preisur"ising with cornpressed air.

s:nrll diain:ter tubes screened at

the end and open io the surface, can provide
Piezomoters,

groundwater sarnples frorn small diarneter pumps,

or by suction if the water level is close to ground

level. Several piezometers can be sealed at

different depths in a single boretrole. ( See
also 5.3.1.3

).

4.2.4 Packer Sysiems

Packer systems provide

means

of

extr.acting

water from specific depth intervals within a

borehole. The system may consist of one or more
packers which can be expanded either hydraulically or pneumatically once in position down the

boreirole, to provide a seal. A ivater sample is

obtained from the sealed section by pumping or
by gas displacement. A variety of systems are
available, some for permanent installation, the
others portable. Packers are not suitable for

use

in

boreholes with

also 5.3.1.1 ).

a gravel pack. ( See

4.2.5 Pore Water Sampling Systems

For detailed information about groundwater

quality at different depths in either the unsaturated or saturated zone of an aquifer, pore-water
samples can be extracted from rock samples
obtained from purpose drilled boreboles. The
pore-water is extracted by centrifugation. This
sampling technique is expensivo and is not
recommcnded for routine monitoring because it
requires repeated drilling.

5 SAMPLING PROCEDURES
5.1 Sampling Point Selection
5.1.1 General

When using existing boreholes to obtain and

gain access to ground lvirter, it is necessary to

determine constructional details to define from

which strata the sample is being obtarned. When
new boreholes are being construcied specifically
for sampling, the design of the borehole ( for
exanrple, the screen size and iength ) and the
method of construction need to be chosen, not
only to meet the sampling requirement, but also
to minimise contamination or disturbance of the
aquifer. The use of d!'grr'asants, lubricants, muds,

oils and bentonite during cirilling should

be

avoided if at all pcssible, particularly when

considering sampling for organic compounds.
Also care is necess,riy to ellsure that boreholes
completed with a gravel peck around a solid
casing and screens at specific levels are not subject
to short circuiting of aquifer *,ater from different
depths via the gravel pack. This can be achieved
by sealing the gravel packing in the vicinity of
the screens. Attention should also be given to
the design of borehole insiallations at the ground
surface, in order to prevent contrmination of the
borehole by surface lvater.
5.1,2 Groundwater Qualitl, Surveiliance o.f Potable
Supplies

lVhen monitoring the quality

of

supplies for potable or anv other use,

groundrvater

all

pumped

boreholes, wells and springs should be sampled

in order to protect the use to which the water is

put. For potable supply purposes, any national

raw water sampling requirements should be
referred to for more detailed advice.

Wiren selecting sarnpiing poirrts for supply

surveillance, it is recommended that some boreholes remote from the abstraction are monitored,
in order to examine the effect of the abstraction
on the dynamic cha:-acteristics of the aquifer
( e,g. the natural groundivater flow, the variation
in thickness of the saturated zone ).
5.1,3 Other Groundv,ater Quality Purposes
For other sampling purposes, the selection of
optimal sampli;ig points wili be more difficult and
be directiy inftuenced by the purpose of sampling,
in addition to the particular characteristics of the
aquifer that is being sampled ( e.g. the nature of
the ground.water fforv, rvhether intergranular or
fissure, the hyCraulic gradient and the direction

). In theEe cases it is essential to seek

selection of the most appropriate sampling
point(s). Tlie use of existing wells or boreholes
should not be considered unless they can be
shown to be suitable for the purpose of the
sampling programme. ( In many cases existing
wells and boreholes may fully penetrate the
aquifer and be open, or screened, throughout
their depth, thus making it difficult to examine
of

flow

specialist hvrlrogeological advice to assist in the

quality at specific depths. )

IS
Nevertheless, some generalised guidaace can be
given when the objective is monitoring groundwater for contamination from diffuse or pointsource inputs.

13969 r 1994

of the sampling programme. If thc

objectives do not include definition of thc
magnitude of the tolerable error, a statistically
objectives

based sampling programme

is

impossible.

For quality surveillance of potable supplies ( or

any other use-related monitoring activity ), the
temporal variation in quality at a single point is
the most important factor. For most determi-

5.1.3.1 Diffuse contamination of groundwater

to identify
of aquifers, the nands, monthly or even less frequent sampling
use of existing sampling points in the form of will be adequate when the purpose ol' sampling
large capacity production boreholes is recom- is to aesess the suitability of groundwater as a
rnended as they can provide integrated samples source of drinking water. Refer to IS 3025
from a large volume of the aquifer. However, in (Part I ): 1986 and any national statutory
some cases of localised or low intensity pollution requirements for general guidance on sampling
the usc of this type of borehoie may dilute the frequency assessment. More frequent sampling
contamination to levels below the analytical may be required to minimise any public health
detection limit, in these clses smaller capacity risks in those situations where groundwaters are
When designing monitoring networks

extensive diffuse-source pollution

pumped boreholes are recommended. The part

of the aquifer most sensitive to pollution is that
llear the boundary between the saturated and
unsaturated zones. Sampling boreholes should
therelore include at least one with a screen near
to the surface of the saturated zone. Other
purpose-drilled boreholes should be completed
and screened over different depth iniervals of the
aquiler. Sampling bcreholes should be located
thloughout the area of interest. It is recommended that sites are chosen to represent the different
hydrogeological and land-use conCitions and
areas considered to be particularly vulnerable to
diffuse Pollution.
5.1.3.2 Point-source contaminqtion of groundwater

When specifying sampling points

to

monitor

point-source pollution, such as that arising from

a waste disposal landfill site, it is necessary to
consider the location of the site of the pollution
in relation to the groundwater flow direction.

Where practical,

it is

recommended

that

sampling borehole to monitor the quality of the

groundwater directly beneath the pollution source
is installed. In addition at least one sampling
borehole should be screened ovet a narrow depth
range immediately below the water table, so that
anv oollutants less dense than water will be more
d"t."ted. Further sampling points should
"uiilylocated at progressive distances down the
be
hydraulic gradient from the source of contami-

nation, and provision made for sampling from a

range of depths. Consideration also should be
given to the location of one or two boreholes up
the hydraulic gradient from the source of contamination, so that the areal extent of the
pollution plume can be identified. Such boreholes
may also be of assistance to quality control
studies, by providing information on the extent of
potential contarnination by the sarnpling proiedure, particularly where the analysis of trace
materials is of interest.
5.2 Frequency anil Time of Sampling

Analytical results from a sampling programme

need to provide estimates of the required information within the tolerable errors defined in the

used lor potable supplies without disinfection.

For objectives other than potable supply surveillance, the sampling frequency should be chosen
according to the variation in quality of the groundwater under investigation, in both a temporal and
spatial sense. Quality changes in groundwater
are usually much more gradual in time and space
than those in surface waters. [n some aquifers
there are factors producing seasonal variations in

quality and in other cases, particularly where

groundwater pollution is occurring, therc are
short term variations of between several hours
and about two days in the composition of samples
obtained during a pumping cycle. These variations have to be recognized before a long-term
programme is defined.

Continuous monitoring of pH, tcmperature and

electrical conductivity can provide a useful means
of identifying the need to incrcase or decrease the
sampling frequency for determinands that must
be characterised by sampling. In casc continuous
monitoring indicates the rate of quality changes
is increasing, then the sampling frequency should
be increased for any determinands of interest;
conversely, if the rate of change decreases, or
stops, the sampling frequoncy may be reduced.

In those cases where there has been a considerable

change in quality of any continuously monitore d
determinand, it is advisable to consider also
extending the range of determinands
routinely analysed, as a precaution.

to

be

of
identilying the most appropriate time to sample
pumped observation boreholes which are being
used to obtain representative samples of' aquifer
water. Where significant variations are recorded
( * t0% within the pumped discharge ) this
probably indicates local transient conditions
within the borehole itself during the early stages
of pumping and samples should not be collected
until the monitoring suggests that an equilibrium
has been reached. lfno significant quality variations occur then the time at which the sample is
collected after the commencement of pumping
need only be sufficient for tbe borehoie 1o be
Continuous monitoring is also a useful means

purged.

IS

13969 z 1994

5.3 Choice of Sampling Methotl

5.3.1 Factors Affecting Representative Sampling

In order to achieve representative sampling within

an aquifer, thc sampling method needs to be
capable of withdrawing samples whose composition reflects the actual spatial and temporal composition of the groundwater under study. Since
the majority of sampling points in aquifers are
wells or boreholes, they will disturb the natural
groundwater system and this may be especially
pronounced as a result oI induced vertical
chernical and hydraulic gradients.

In

soine snmpling situations, rnineral material

may accumulate in sampling boreholes between

sampling operations resulting in the water rvithin

the borehole column being unrepresentative of
that in the aquifer under study. Sampling

boreholes should therefore be purged belore

sampling by pumping to waste a volunre of water
equivalent to at least the internal volume of the
borehole itself.

Vertical stratification in groundwater quality may

a consequence of pollution. For

example, most diffuse pollution results in a rnore
polluted layer of groundwater at the top of the

be natural or

saturated aquifer whereas pollutants that are

more densc than water tend to accumulate above
a less permeable layer at depth, or at the base of

the aquifer. Sampling methods therefore need

to be capable ofdetecting vertical as well as areal
variations in gioundwater quality.

Samples should not be collected from pumping

boreholes until the pump has been running for a
sufficient length of time to remove the standing
water in the borehole column to ensure that new
rvater is being drawn directly from the aquifer'
The pumping time reqttired can be calculated
approximately from the size of the borehole, the
puhping rate and the hydraulic conductivity but
should be more accurately determined by moni-

toring any changes in pH, temperature or

electrical conductivity of the pulnp:d rvater: in
these cases samples should not be taken until
such timo that no significant variations ( i e.
+. l0% ) are observed.
The most effective methods of taking samples
frorn an aquifer in which grounJrvater quality
varies with depth are to sample specific aquiler

horizons using specially constructed observation

boreholes or, alternatively, to sample from sealed
sections of boreholes. In the former, portabie
pumping equiprnent can be used to pump samples
irorn a series of observation boreholes in relatively
close proximity, each completed and screened to
enable samples to be drawn from a dlff'erent depth
range of the aquifer. In the latter, samples are
pumped from a sealed section of a borehole by
means of a packer-pump assembly, thereby
providing a means of a discrete sample of water
u'ithin a specific depth range of the aquifer
(see 4.2.4 ). Titis sampling method is only
recommended lor use in consolidated aquifers,

it is not appropriate for use in

5.3.1.2 Depth sampling

The method of sampling also needs to reflect the

complexities of groundwater flow in that it must

take account of the aquifer flow

boreholes

completed with a screen and gravel pack.

Depth sampling consists of lowering a sampling

device ( see 4.2.2 and 4.2.5 ) into tlie borehole or
well, allowing it to fill with water at a known
depth, and retrieviog the sample for transfer to
an'appropriatecontainer, where necessary. This
method of sampling is normally only suitable for
use in observation boreholes that are not being

mechanism

( whether fissure or intergranular

), the direction
of the flow and the hydraulic gradients in the
aquifer, which can produce strong natural flows
up or down the borehole column itself. Traditionally, two comncn sampling methods are employ-

pumped although depth samples cail

ed, namely pumped sarnpling and depth sampling;

botb have their uses and li,nitations, rvhich need

iromboreholes during pumping

if

be collected

there is clear

a solid access tube

installed for the purpose. Dopth samples should
never be collected frorn rvithin the solid casing of
a borehole, since the water caRnot have originated
access past the purnp such as

to be carefully considere.l when identifying the

scope for their use.

at the depth at rvhich the samplirrg device is

altereil in quality due to ciremical or

5.3.1.1 Pumped sampling

activated and, under siatic conditions, may have

Pumped samples from production boreholes used

for pctablo or other supplies m:y comprise a

mixture of water entering the open or screened

mici'obiological

act

ivity.

Even within the open or screened section of

length of the borehole from different depths. This

sampling rnethod is therefore, only recommended
where groundwater quality is vertically unilorm
or where a composite vertical sarnple of approximately average composition is all that is required,

boreholes, depih samplir.rg can only be of limited

value because naiural or induced flows within the

borehole can make the origin of the samples

uncertain Depth sampling is only suitable if
the origins of, the samples ( in terms of the depths
of water inflow into the borehole ) are known.
This may be achieved by determining the depths
of water inflow to the borehole and flows rvithin

as might be the case when sampling water

abstracted from a borehole for potable supply
purposes. In these cases, depending on the well-

head construction, the water sample should be

collected as close as possibie to the exit from the
borehole, in order to avoid sample instability
problems (see 5.4).

the borehole column from interpretation of

downhole logs of temperature, conductivity and
flow under pumping and static conditions.

IS

13969: 1994

\\-here it is necessary to purge boreholes

{ see 5.3.1 ) from which depth sampies are to be
taken, it is recommended that the borehole is
pumped using an air lift device, prior to

is best carried out using flowthrough

sampling.

On-site filtration of samples is recommended fq1

stabi lisin g sanr p lrs, pa rt ic ii arl y wherE specifi qat-ion
is under study. A wide range of filtration media
is available and includes cellulose based nrem-

cell

systems

that prevent contact betvreen sample

and

atmosphere.

5.3.1.3 Other sompling methods

On occasions when tlre above sampling methods
cannot be used or are thought to be inadequate,
it rs recommended that samples from drscrete
points in the aquifer sl.rould be obtained by one

of a variety of in'situ sampling devices. These

include porous cups or piezometer pornts fiom
uhich water is extracted by vacuum or gas displacement. Several instruments can be tnstalled
in a single borehole and some of the devices are
also suitable for use in the unsaturated zone.
S:nples from particular depths may also be
obtained by pore-water sampiing. This invoives
extracting water ( usually by centrifugation ) from
soii or rock samples obtained by specialise d core
drilling. It provides the most effective rnethod
ol quantifying vertical variations in quality and
is also a very effective method of sampling the
unsaturated zone. However, for periodic
monitoring it has the disadvantage of requirri.rg
repeated drilling and is therefore an expensi're
methoci of sarnpling.

in addition to glass fibre and

filters. No singie rr,edium can be
universally recommended, alrhough glass fibre
filters have some advantage over othei nredia of

brane filters,
polycarbonate

similar pore size ( e g. cellulose filters ) since they

block less frequently yet provide sin-rilar filtration
efficiency in terms of particle slze retention. The
recomnrended pore size for general purpose
groundwater work is 0'4 to 0'5 m, althorigh
other pore sizes may be preferable, depending
upon the particular sampling purpose and the
determinand of interest. Whatever meciium is

for filtration, it is recommended that subsequent results ( following analysis ) be reported

as 'filterable' species ( quoting the appropriate
used

pore size of the filter ) ratbei than 'dissolved'

spe cies. It is particularly important that on
site filtration of anaerobic grour,drvater should
be carried out under anaerobic conciitions.

In all cases it should be ensured that sample

'Iransport,
conlainers
are delivered to the laboratory in a
5.4
Stabilisation and Storage of
tightly sealed condition, protected fr cm the
Sanrples
e{lects ol iight and exiessive heat: if this is not
Groundr';ater samples are often taken at sites done, sample quality may change rapidly due to
rearcte lrorn laboratory facilities. The manner in gas-exchanpe, chemical reactions and the
* hich groundwater samples are stored and metaholism 6f organisms. Also it should be
handled before analysis is therefore extremely ensured that samples which cannot be analysed
irnp.rrtant il results are to be representative of within a day are stabilised or preserved. For
coidriions at the time of sampling. For general storage over short periods, cooling to 4"C may
gi:jdance on these aspects, refer to IS 3025 be anplied; for keeping over longer periods,
{ Pait i ) : 1986 but account should be taken of freezing to - 20"C is advisablc. lf the latter
::re ioil.l., ing specific guidance.
technique is used, it is necessary to ensure that
the sample is completely thawed before use as
Tre most si_en ificant problern in ground water the freezing process may have the effect of cons:-n:1r:g is lhat of obtaining an accurate indica- centrating soirie components in the inner part of
:r-'"u -rf x'ater quality in the sub-surface. Problems

a::s because of the physical and chemical

c .::_Ees that occur as satnples are removed from
aq r,ler 'rIost groundwaler sanrpling methods

the sample, the part that freezes last.

Samples may also

be

preserved try the addition

that the

of chemicals, but care shotrld be taken

lr lhe sampie undergoing temperature and chosen method of preservation does not interfere
alter such variables u'ith the subsequent laboratory examination.
is,"H. el:ct:-ical conductivity, electroclremical
pr-r3:l:i:1, s:-rlphide content and dissolved gas
.':r::-i' ( lrrticularly oxygen and carbon 6 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
c:ir,::e l. In turn these changes may alter the
safety matters is given in
s:e:-ar:cr oi some constituents. Atmospheric General ( guidance on
lS 3025 Part I ): 1986 but the following safety
re:u"i

rr:ess:re changes q'hich can

r,n:lcr ma1' br-ing about similar changes and

r re::1t in oridation. increased microbiological
::tr'r r:,, . pr-ecipilation, volatilisatron and changes

al.

r:r -xnr3arance ( e,g. colour and ttrrbiCity ). it is

ir:-r::ai'lr for g;oiindx'aier samples that as many

aspects should

be

conside

red when

sampling

grounriwaters.

,:n-sr-e or as soon as possible after the sample has

The surface area around r.vells and boreholes

should always be regarded with some caution
since there may be risk of surface coliapse,
especially around old wells. Staging and ladders
within shafts may be unsafe and a proper safety

tinuous mersurement technique is prefe;able and

any sampling operation: one person

i:le:nirations

as

is practicable are carried

out

::e:i c,r.lecteC. This is particuiarly important

in ies::ct of temperature, pH, electrochemical
p ieni:ai. electrical conductivity, alkalinity and harness must always be worn when enterirg wells.
(
least two persons should be present during
'iissolled gases especially oxygen ). A con- At

should

rs

13969

| t994

always rcmain at the gurface in a position to other relevant information recorded on

a sample
summon assistance if hazardous conditions
When rnany sample containers are need-ed
1eport..
develop or there is any risk to the person under- fbr a single sa.mpling
99caqion, it will be usually
taking the rampling operation in the well.
more convenient to identify
the containers using
a single and unique sample ieference number ani
Where -sampling takes place in a confined place record all relevant sample details
on a sample
( c.g. within a well, boreh-ole, well head or ^base- report. Labels
and forms should alwavs 'be
ment ) the atmosphere should be tested on each completed at Lhe time of sample collection.

for oxygen deficiency and the presencc

of,inflammable gases, hydrogen sulphide-or any
occas,ion

other toxic gases and vapours that could ba

present, it may even be necessary to carry out
these procedures in unconfined spaces when
scvere contamination of any area surrounding a
groundwater installation is bcing investigated.
Suitable protective clothing must always be worn
when undertaking sampling operations and under
no circumstances should any routine sampling
activity continue if safety checks indicate poienti-ally unsafe conditions exist; if samples have to
be withdrawn in this type of situation then special
procedures will be required which may need to
be agreed with the statutory agency responsible
for local or national health and safcty matters
( e.g. during the use of breathing apparatus, when
sampling in confined spaces ).

When dealing with groundwater installations

subject _to heavy contamination, it is important
to carefully
examine all relevant infoimation

regarding the sources of the contamination, in

order to define the nature of the necessary safety
checks. In those situations where investigationi
must take place close to a source of heavy con-

tamination, .,operations should take place to

windward, if possible, and eating, drinking and
smoking should be strictly prohibited withln the
area of jlvestigation. It may be prudent to carry
out mcdical checks on investigaiors immediatcly
after- _ operational work, ana periodically ui
suitable intervals thereafter.

7 SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION AND

RECORDS

Sample containers should be clearly and unambiguously marked so that subsequent analytical
re_sults can be properly interpreted. Rll d-etails
relevant . to the sample analyiis should be given
on a label attached to the container, wit[ any

The.details given on aly combination of sample

label and report will depend on the obiectives'of
the particular sampling exercise Urit should
include all the necessary information that will
cnablc .a repetition of sampling to take place

under identical conditions. Mat-ters which iould

be considered for inclusion are:
a) The name and location
point;

of

the sampling

b) the date and time of sample collection;

c) nature of aquifcr and water bearing strata;
d) the typc of sampling point ( e.g. borehole,
well or spring );
e) any relevant descriptive information ( e.g.

f)

well dirnensions );
pumping status and depth of pump suction
and/or discharge;

g) water level within the well or borehole;

h) method of sample collection;
j) depth of sampling;
k) sample appearance at time of collection
( e.g. colour, clarity and odour );
m) results of on-site analysis ( e.g. pH,
dissolved oxygen );

n) dctails of any sample preservation

techniques employed;

p) details of any on-site filtration used ( e.g.

filter pore size );

q) details of any sample storage method

employed/required;

r) the name and designation of

collector.

the sample

Annex A to this standard provides an example of

a report that

could be used in situations where

this sampling information is collected.

IS 13969 z 1994

ANNEX A
( Clause 7 )
REPORT

SAMPLING FROM GROUNDWATERS

Nature of sampling point:...

Nature of aquifer:..

Water level within aquifer :..,......

Depth of sampling :.........

Sample appearance

Details of sample storage method employed/required:.. ..

( Continued )

IS 13969 : 1994
MEASUREMENT

Tcmperatura

pH

Conductivity

IN THE FIELD
Eh

Dissolved Oxygen