BS ISO 5667-11:2009 Water quality. Sampling. Guidance on sampling of groundwaters
BS ISO 5667-11 gives guidance on water quality sampling and investigation of contaminated or potentially contaminated sites. It can be used with other guidance documents as any groundwater sampling from such sites is likely to form part of a much wider investigation programme.
Development of a groundwater sampling programme depends on the purposes of the investigation. A definition of the purpose of groundwater sampling is therefore essential before any investigation.
BS ISO 5667-11 can be used to:
a) Determine the suitability of groundwater as a source of drinking water or industrial/agricultural water
b) Identify, at an early stage, contamination of aquifers caused by potentially hazardous surface or sub-surface activities (e.g. the operation of waste disposal sites, land contamination, industrial developments, mineral exploitation, agricultural practices, and changes in land use)
c) Establish whether migration of contaminants is occurring in order to assess the impact on groundwater quality
d) Develop an understanding of groundwater quality and flow variations, including those caused by deliberate actions (e.g. variations in groundwater pumping regimes, groundwater recharge caused by effluent, surface clean-up activities arising from contaminated waste disposal sites), in order to achieve optimal resource management, provide data for undertaking risk assessment and to enable enforcement of pollution-control law
e) Assist in the selection of remedial measures and remediation process design and monitor the performance and effectiveness of these measures or facility design
f) Demonstrate compliance with licence conditions, or collect evidence for regulatory purposes
g) Identify and characterise discrete aquifer water bodies.
Examples of situations where this guidance can be used:
- General surveys of groundwater quality for chemical and microbiological assessment
- Investigation of present or former industrial sites with a history of potentially contaminatory activities
- Groundwater water investigation and monitoring of waste disposal (landfill) sites
- Investigation of sites where natural and/or artificial processes have led to potential land and groundwater contamination
- Investigation of sites where products have been spilled or released as a result of accidents or other unforeseen events, e.g. transportation accidents.
BS ISO 5667-11 covers selection of sampling points, selection of sampling installations and devices, groundwater parameter selection and sampling frequency.
Prescriptive guidance on methods and applications is not possible. Therefore, this guidance provides information on the most commonly applied, and available, techniques and lists their advantages, disadvantages and limitations of use where these are known. When considering design of sampling strategies, the properties of the groundwater (aquifer) system, monitoring point design, contaminant source(s), pathways for migration and the receptors need to be considered.
BS ISO 5667-11 does not apply to sampling related to the day-to-day operational control of groundwater abstractions for potable purposes. The guidance includes sampling of groundwater from both the saturated (below water table) zone and the unsaturated (above the water table) zone.
Who should use BS ISO 5667-11?
- Environmental health officers
- The Environment Agency
- Water companies
- Hydrogeologists
- Consultants engaged in environment consultancy
- Private water suppliers.
BS ISO 5667-11:2009 replaces BS 6068-6.11:1993 (BS ISO 5667-11:1993) and BS ISO 5667-18:2001, which are now withdrawn.
Contents of BS ISO 5667-11:
Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Sampling strategy and programme design
4.1 General
4.2 Selection of sampling point location
4.3 Groundwater parameter selection
4.4 Sampling frequency
5 Types of monitoring installation and sampling method
5.1 General
5.2 Unsaturated zone monitoring
5.3 Saturated zone
6 Sampling procedures
6.1 Purging
6.2 Trial pits
6.3 Sampling of free-phase contaminants (DNAPLs and LNAPLs)
6.4 Materials for sampling equipment
6.5 Prevention of contamination
7 Safety precautions
8 Sample identification and records
9 Quality assurance/quality control
Annex A (informative) Calculation of sampling frequency using nomogram
Annex B (informative) Example of a report — Sampling from groundwaters
Bibliography
