Focus On Water Division
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Standard Operating Procedure

Water Quality Division
Water Quality Assessment Section - GW

Standard Operating Procedure Number: GW-030
Title: Groundwater Sampling Equipment and Supplies
Written Date: September 1, 2000
Approved Date:


Purpose: To provide a standard listing of ground water sampling equipment and supplies, and describe proper maintenance activities for them.

Equipment/Materials Needed:

See Appendix A: Ground Water Sampling Equipment/Materials list.

Procedures:

1. Obtaining equipment
1.1. Equipment and supplies as listed will be maintained either on hand within the Water Quality Assessment Section or obtained through the NHHS lab or other supplier.
1.2. To access equipment on hand, obtain keys to the basement storage area from appropriate Water Quality Assessment Section staff or from the Section secretary. Equipment is kept locked in the Section secure area along the west wall of the basement storage area unless otherwise indicated.
1.3. If you are utilizing any equipment for an extended period of time or if it is not for a normally scheduled monitoring action (e.g. GWMA study, etc.), inform the Unit Supervisor and other Section members of your equipment use, so there is some general knowledge of who is in possession of what equipment.
1.4. In some cases, equipment not on hand within the Section is available from other Sections. Before purchasing equipment, consult with other appropriate Sections or Divisions (e.g. LUST/RA, Waste Management, etc.) to see if they have appropriate equipment for loan.
1.5. If necessary equipment is not on hand within the agency, consult with Unit and Section Supervisors regarding purchase or rental.
2. Obtaining supplies
2.1. For ordinary ground water sampling supplies (e.g. cubitainers, bottles, preservatives, deionized water, etc.), contact the NHHS lab or outside supplier far enough in advance to ensure adequate time for delivery.
2.2. For specialized sampling supplies (e.g. refills for field test kits, etc.), coordinate with Unit Supervisor and specific project manager to order/purchase the necessary items.
3. Instrument/equipment maintenance
3.1. pH meter--separate probe
3.1.1. Calibrate instrument regularly as per GW-070.
3.1.2. When not in use, store probe with tip immersed in deionized water or 7.0 pH buffer solution.
3.1.3. For long periods of storage (greater than a few days/weeks), remove batteries and disconnect probe lead.
3.2. pH meter--wand type
3.2.1. Calibrate instrument regularly as per GW-070.
3.2.2. When not in use, store meter with probe cap firmly in place.
3.2.3. For long periods of storage (greater than a few days/weeks), remove batteries.
3.3. Conductivity meter--separate probe
3.3.1. Calibrate instrument regularly as per GW-070.
3.3.2. For long periods of storage (greater than a few days/weeks), remove batteries and disconnect probe.
3.4. Conductivity meter--wand type
3.4.1. Calibrate instrument regularly as per GW-070.
3.4.2. When not in use, store meter with probe cap firmly in place.
3.4.3. For long periods of storage (greater than a few days/weeks), remove batteries.
3.5. Global Positioning System (GPS) unit
3.5.1. Due to the value of these units, they will not be kept in the basement storage area. Rather, individual GPS units will be retained by individual project personnel. Check with the Unit Supervisor and/or GWMA staff to locate the units.
3.5.2. Periodically drain battery pack (3 volt lithium; camcorder type) completely and properly recharge it.
3.5.2.1. To prevent loss of data, check and/or replace battery pack annually.
3.5.2.2. Periodically check supply of AA batteries as a backup to the battery pack (the unit requires 4 AA batteries, alkaline type).
3.5.3. Periodically ensure that unnecessary/unused files are deleted from unit’s memory (see GW-090).
3.6. Nitrate field test kit (Hach kit)
3.6.1. Periodically insure that test tubes are not cracked or chipped; if so, replace them.
3.6.2. Periodically check expiration date on reagent packets; if out of date, replace them.
3.6.3. For long periods of storage, store kit in dark, dry, cool place.
3.7. Triazine field test kit
3.7.1. Periodically check expiration date on kit. If they are out of date but have been stored in refrigerator, they are still usable. Schedule the oldest kits for first field use.
3.7.2. For opened kits, periodically check test tube pouch to ensure that it is sealed.
3.7.3. For long periods of storage, store kit in refrigerator. Clearly mark each kit as belonging to the Ground Water Unit.
3.7.3.1. Conversation with the manufacturer indicates that the triazine test kits have an indefinite shelf life if they are kept refrigerated. Use your best judgement as to whether out-of-date test kits should be used on your project.
3.7.3.2. Test kits will be stored in the refrigerator in the Water Quality Assessment Section lab in the basement (immediately south of the basement storage area).
3.8. Miscellaneous equipment/materials
3.8.1. Store miscellaneous equipment and materials in the Section’s secure area in basement. Ensure that all equipment is clean and in working order, and that materials are properly secured with regard to light, moisture, temperature, etc.

APPENDIX A. Equipment/materials checklist for ground water sampling

INSTRUMENTS
Thermometers (2)

pH meter (wand or probe)


Spare battery--9 volt alkaline or approp.

Equipment log book

Calibration standards
Conductivity meter


Spare batteries--(2) “D” cells, alkaline or approp.

Equipment log book

Calibration standard(s)
GPS unit


Rechargeable battery

DC battery pack--(4) “AA” cells, alkaline

Battery charger

Tripod
Laptop computer


AC converter

Floppy diskettes, 3.5”
Nitrate test kit (Hach)


Reagent pillows

Spare test tubes

Spare color wheel
Triazine test kit


Eyedropper


EQUIPMENT
Coolers (4 or more)

Squirt bottle

Wide-mouth glass jar, 500 ml, w/ lid (conductivity)

Wide-mouth glass jar, 1 l, w/ lid(ampule waste; from lab)

Filtering equipment


Flask

Filter holder

Vacuum pump w/ tubing

Filter tongs
Clipboard

Tools


Phillips screwdriver

Standard screwdriver

Pliers

Shovel
Buckets, 5-gallon (2)

Rubber boots

Garden hose

Deionized water container(s), 3-5 gallons each

Scissors

Bungee cords

Peristaltic pump


Tubing
Submersible pump (from LUST)


Generator (from LUST)

Fuel for generator
MATERIALS
Cubitainers, 1 l plastic (from lab)


Lids

Labels
Pesticide jars, brown glass, 1 l (from lab)


Lids w/ Teflon septa (from lab)
Deionized water to fill containers (from lab)

Pen(s)

Pencil(s)

Markers, Berol Prismacolor Art--Nile Green (at least 2)

Markers, Berol Prismacolor Art--Canary Yellow (at least 2)

Markers, Sharpie indelible, black (at least 2)

Markers, Sharpie indelible, red (at least 2)

Sulfuric acid ampules (from lab)

Nitric acid ampules (from lab)

Filters, 0.45 um X 47 mm (from lab)

Lab/chain-of-custody sheets

Field inventory sheets

Zip lock bags

Gloves, disposable

Rubber bands

Paper tags, manila/yellow/etc. (From lab)

Labelling tape

Paper towels



INCIDENTALS
Maps

Well list(s)

QAPP copy

SOPs copy

Project contact list/phone #s

Travel authorization

Lodging authorization/direct bill

Field book

Camera

Binoculars

First aid kit

Cellular phone (if not w/ vehicle)

List of hospitals for study area



MAILING
Strapping tape

Envelopes