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Groundwater Sampling Manual

Sectors:
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Water Research Commission
Authors:
Water Research Commission
Year Published:
2017
Resource Type:
Evaluations and Research
Language:
English

This guide presents an updated version of the 2nd edition of the WRC’s Groundwater Sampling Manual. The sampling manual has been updated to include:

  • Factors that can contribute to sample bias and measures to reduce or eliminate sample bias,
  • Use of the Fluid Electrical Conductivity (FEC) profiling as a basic technique to locate
  • groundwater flow zones that can be targeted for sampling,
  • Passive sampling devices,
  • Use of a stainless flow-through bailer as a passive sampling method,
  • Decontamination procedures for different determinants,
  • Sample preparation, preservation procedures, storage and holding times for different
  • determinants,
  • Direct push technology (DPT) as an emerging sampling approach,
  • Sampling of deep boreholes,
  • Sampling of dissolved gases (DG) in groundwater and
  • Evaluation of uncertainties associated with the sampling process and analysis of groundwater
  • samples as part of quality assessment (QA).