Guidelines for Collection of Ground Water Samples for Analysis of Organic Compounds--An Update 
 


In Reply Refer To:                           March 26, 1984
WGS-Mail Stop 412



QUALITY OF WATER BRANCH TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 84.11 

Subject:  WATER QUALITY--Guidelines for Collection of Ground 
                         Water Samples for Analysis of 
                         Organic Compounds--An Update 

Since distribution of Quality of Water Branch Technical 
Memorandum 83.12 in March 1983, several additional 
publications providing further guidance on procedures for 
sampling ground water for analysis of organic substances have 
been brought to our attention.  Attached is a list of 
citations updating the list given in the earlier memorandum.  
These citations were provided by George Kish of the 
New Jersey District. 

Also attached is a table reproduced from one of the recent 
publications listing sampling devices available for use 
in.small-diameter wells, together with information on the 
materials used in the devices.  This table is provided 
for information only and implies no endorsement of any 
product. 

Finally, your attention is directed to a recent publication 
by Hans Claassen, "Guidelines and Techniques for Obtaining 
Water Samples that Accurately Represent the Water Chemistry 
of an Aquifer", USGS Open-File Report 82-1024, copies of 
which were distributed to the Regional Water Quality 
Specialists.  This excellent report summarizes Hans' years of 
experience in using observation wells and sampling of 
existing wells to determine ground-water quality.  It should 
be read thoroughly by workers involved in sampling ground 
waters.  The Organic Substances Task Group, an advisory 
committee to the Chief, 

Quality of Water Branch, which authored the guidelines 
distributed under Quality Water Branch Technical Memorandum 
83.12, plans to meet shortly to consider updates to those 
guidelines.  The results of that meeting will be distributed 
as soon as available. 



                               R.J. Pickering 
                               Chief, Quality of Water Branch 

Attachments 

WRD Distribution: A, B, FO, PO 

Key Words:  Water quality, sampling, organic compounds, 
            ground water, toxic waste 

This memorandum does not supersede any previous memorandum.