Wastewater Sampling Program

Examples of Wastewater Sampling Programs

Industrial or treatment plant discharges into surface, groundwater, sewer or stormdrains are regulated by governments via permits. The permit should specify the sites, number and type of tests required in addition to the allowable maximum discharge volume. The governing authority should also specify the maximum allowable limits for the permit perimeters.

Many industries and treatment plants have additional programs to monitor efficiency or source control.

Sampling Criteria & Locations

System Sites:
  • 1.Influent
  • 2.Storage such as Lagoons, Holding Tanks
  • 3.Discharge
Other Sites:
  • 4.Activated Sludge
  • 5.Upstream of Discharge (surface waters)
  • 6.Downstream of Discharge (surface waters)
  • 7.Monitoring Wells (groundwater)

Testing Criteria

A. Field Tests

The sampler should conduct & record results at each sample location for the following:

  • temperature
  • pH
  • turbidity (or total dissolved solids)
  • EC (specific conductance)
B. Laboratory Tests

At each designated site, a sample for laboratory analysis will be collected for in appropriate containers (supplied by the laboratory). Samples should be placed in a cool (1-8C) environment and shipped to the laboratory as soon as possible.

Samples can be collected as either grab or composites.

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