Safe Drinking Water Act Phase II & V Sampling Procedures: Volatile Fumigants – Method 551

Safe Drinking Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act Phase II & V Sampling Phase II & V Sampling Procedures: Volatile Procedures: Volatile

Fumigants – Method 551Fumigants – Method 551

The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended sampling techniques. This recommended sampling techniques. This presentation includes:presentation includes: supplies neededsupplies needed sample tap selectionsample tap selection collection; and collection; and shipping. shipping.

SOC – Volatile Fumigants Sampling ProceduresSOC – Volatile Fumigants Sampling Procedures

We know and recognize that there are numerous We know and recognize that there are numerous techniques and methods for collecting drinking techniques and methods for collecting drinking water samples. The idea of this presentation is to water samples. The idea of this presentation is to demonstrate the general method used while demonstrate the general method used while providing some helpful suggestions for sample providing some helpful suggestions for sample collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or trainee. This presentation is in no way to be trainee. This presentation is in no way to be considered a substitute for the federal Safe considered a substitute for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and amendments.Drinking Water Act and amendments.

SOC – Volatile Fumigants Sampling ProceduresSOC – Volatile Fumigants Sampling Procedures

What are SOCs and why do we sample What are SOCs and why do we sample

for them?for them?

Since the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986, The US Environmental Protection

Agency has established Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for polychlorinated biphenyls

(PCBs), 23 pesticides, and six other synthetic organic chemicals.

What are SOCs and why do we sample for them?What are SOCs and why do we sample for them?

Residues of these chemical contaminants are Residues of these chemical contaminants are carried to surface water andcarried to surface water and

groundwater systems groundwater systems

Stormwater discharges

And even direct discharge And even direct discharge due to aerial spraying. due to aerial spraying.

Through farmland runoff



These chemicals have been shown to cause cancer These chemicals have been shown to cause cancer

in laboratory animals.in laboratory animals.

However, many of these contaminants can However, many of these contaminants can usually be removed by granular activated usually be removed by granular activated carbons (GAC), and several other types of carbons (GAC), and several other types of

treatment processes. treatment processes.


There are 6 different methods for testing Phase II & V There are 6 different methods for testing Phase II & V Synthetic Organic Chemicals that are found on this CD-Synthetic Organic Chemicals that are found on this CD-Rom. They are: Rom. They are:

Semi Volatile Organic (SVOC) Chemicals Method 525.2Semi Volatile Organic (SVOC) Chemicals Method 525.2 Fumigants Method 551Fumigants Method 551 Herbicides Method 515.3Herbicides Method 515.3 Carbamates Method 531.1Carbamates Method 531.1 Diquat Method 549.1; andDiquat Method 549.1; and Cyanide Method 335.2Cyanide Method 335.2

This presentation will address Volatile Fumigants –Method 551This presentation will address Volatile Fumigants –Method 551

What are SOCs and why do we sample for What are SOCs and why do we sample for them?them?

State Guidelines – Rules – Sample State Guidelines – Rules – Sample

RequirementsRequirements

Be sure to check with Be sure to check with your state or tribal your state or tribal drinking water program drinking water program office for additional office for additional guidelines, rules and/or guidelines, rules and/or sample requirements sample requirements since they may be more since they may be more stringent than those stringent than those required by the federal required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Safe Drinking Water Act.

SOC Sampling SuppliesSOC Sampling Supplies

Before beginning, it is important to have all of your Before beginning, it is important to have all of your supplies on hand. Here is a list of the suggested supplies on hand. Here is a list of the suggested

supplies you may need for SOC sampling:supplies you may need for SOC sampling:

Cooler for shipping and storage of your sampleCooler for shipping and storage of your samplewhile in transit between collection point and lab.while in transit between collection point and lab.


Bagged Ice for your shipping cooler. Bagged Ice for your shipping cooler.


PVC or unsupported Neoprene gloves which are PVC or unsupported Neoprene gloves which are necessary to keep your hands safe from sample necessary to keep your hands safe from sample

container preservative chemicals.container preservative chemicals.


Safety Goggles which are necessary to keep Safety Goggles which are necessary to keep your hands and eyes safe from sample your hands and eyes safe from sample

container preservative chemicals.container preservative chemicals.


Sample ContainersSample Containers


Lab slips, labels, and markers for sample containerLab slips, labels, and markers for sample containeridentificationidentification


Additional Recommended Items are:Additional Recommended Items are:

Paper towels for drying off the outside of your sample Paper towels for drying off the outside of your sample container after sampling.container after sampling.


Plastic storage baggies for ice andPlastic storage baggies for ice and

sample container sample container


Sample preparation instructionsSample preparation instructions

For this sampling For this sampling Method, The Method, The laboratory will laboratory will normally send you normally send you 2- 40mL glass vial 2- 40mL glass vial containers. containers.

Sample preparation Sample preparation instructionsinstructions

Obtain specific instructions from the laboratory at the Obtain specific instructions from the laboratory at the time empty containers are received. The instructions time empty containers are received. The instructions provided by the laboratory will indicate when field provided by the laboratory will indicate when field reagent blanks have been included. reagent blanks have been included.

As a general rule, As a general rule, proper washing of proper washing of hands is highly hands is highly recommended for recommended for the sample the sample collector.collector.


Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette smoke should never come into contact with the smoke should never come into contact with the sample or its containers. These foreign objects sample or its containers. These foreign objects have been suspected of causing false results in have been suspected of causing false results in

samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample collection procedures.collection procedures.


Do not sample with Do not sample with any containers that any containers that appear to have been appear to have been tampered with since tampered with since this may cause an this may cause an undesirable sample undesirable sample result.result.


Sampling ProceduresSampling Procedures

The laboratory that supplies the sampling The laboratory that supplies the sampling containers may provide instruction with the containers may provide instruction with the

kit for the type of monitoring being kit for the type of monitoring being performed. Be sure to refer to those performed. Be sure to refer to those

instructions when provided. instructions when provided.


IMPORTANTIMPORTANT: The laboratory supplying the : The laboratory supplying the sample containers may send trip blanks, sample containers may send trip blanks, sometimes called field reagent blanks, along sometimes called field reagent blanks, along with the sample containers. Trip blanks with the sample containers. Trip blanks consist of sample containers filled at the consist of sample containers filled at the laboratory, that must remain sealed and must laboratory, that must remain sealed and must be shipped back to the lab . This is done to be shipped back to the lab . This is done to check if samples were contaminated during check if samples were contaminated during shipment.shipment.

Important Safety PrecautionsImportant Safety Precautions

Safety goggles and Safety goggles and

gloves gloves mustmust be worn. be worn.

Wash hands before and after sampling. Wash hands before and after sampling.



Caution-Hazard Caution-Hazard

Sample containers may contain liquid Sample containers may contain liquid preservatives. Liquid preservatives will cause preservatives. Liquid preservatives will cause burns. If it comes into contact with the skin or burns. If it comes into contact with the skin or eyes, flush with liberal amounts of water and seek eyes, flush with liberal amounts of water and seek immediate medical attention.immediate medical attention.

Select a state approved sampling location if Select a state approved sampling location if any have been designated. If not, select a any have been designated. If not, select a representative sampling location. For a surface representative sampling location. For a surface water system, the plant effluent tap might be an water system, the plant effluent tap might be an appropriate sampling location. For a well appropriate sampling location. For a well discharging directly into a distribution system discharging directly into a distribution system (entry point to the distribution system or (entry point to the distribution system or EPTDS), a tap on the well’s discharge piping EPTDS), a tap on the well’s discharge piping after any treatment would be appropriate. after any treatment would be appropriate.


If possible, use a non-swivel faucet and remove all If possible, use a non-swivel faucet and remove all attachments, including any aerators, strainers and hoses. attachments, including any aerators, strainers and hoses. It is normally recommended not to take a sample at that It is normally recommended not to take a sample at that location if all attachments cannot be removed because location if all attachments cannot be removed because

they may alter the sample results.they may alter the sample results.


Turn on the water tap Turn on the water tap and run the water for 2-and run the water for 2-3 minutes then reduce 3 minutes then reduce the flow so that the the flow so that the stream is stream is approximately ¼ inch approximately ¼ inch in diameter.in diameter. Do not Do not change the flow rate until change the flow rate until after sampling is after sampling is completed.completed.


While the water is running for thoseWhile the water is running for those

2-3 minutes, completely fill out the 2-3 minutes, completely fill out the

labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly

identify the system information, like identify the system information, like

the public water system identification the public water system identification

number, number, exact exact sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name. sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name.

If the sample collection point has a specific coded identification, include it on the label and If the sample collection point has a specific coded identification, include it on the label and sample submission form. Be sure to attach the label prior to sampling. A wet sample sample submission form. Be sure to attach the label prior to sampling. A wet sample container may not allow the label to properly adhere. container may not allow the label to properly adhere.


Remove the cap from the vial, keeping the vial Remove the cap from the vial, keeping the vial upright to prevent spilling any preservatives. Do upright to prevent spilling any preservatives. Do

not put the cap face down or put it in your pocket. not put the cap face down or put it in your pocket. Do not allow the inside of the cap or the bottle Do not allow the inside of the cap or the bottle

threads to be touched by any object threads to be touched by any object


Hold the vial at an angle Hold the vial at an angle pointing away from pointing away from your faceyour face and carefully fill it until it is completely and carefully fill it until it is completely full. Be careful not to rinse out the preservatives. full. Be careful not to rinse out the preservatives. If acid has been added to the vial by the If acid has been added to the vial by the laboratory, it will mix rapidly with the water and laboratory, it will mix rapidly with the water and may splatter a bit.may splatter a bit.


Carefully complete filling the vial by putting Carefully complete filling the vial by putting water inside the cap and transferring it one drop water inside the cap and transferring it one drop at a time to the vial at a time to the vial


Screw the cap on the bottle being sure not to Screw the cap on the bottle being sure not to overtighten the cap overtighten the cap


Invert the bottle, tap against your other Invert the bottle, tap against your other hand, and check for air bubbles. If any are hand, and check for air bubbles. If any are

present, add additional water- just a drop or present, add additional water- just a drop or 2, seal and check again.2, seal and check again.



Remember that each Remember that each “sample” consists “sample” consists of 2 to 3 filled vials. of 2 to 3 filled vials. Repeat the above Repeat the above mentioned steps to mentioned steps to fill additional vials fill additional vials for each sample. for each sample.


Complete all necessary forms supplied by the laboratory with the appropriate information. In many states, the same form that is filled out here will be used to report the analytical results. Also, you may need to complete a chain of custody form, if required.

Place the samples in a cooler. The trip blanks should Place the samples in a cooler. The trip blanks should still be in the cooler. Keep the samples at 2 degrees to 6 still be in the cooler. Keep the samples at 2 degrees to 6 degrees Celsius (36 degrees to 43 degrees Fahrenheit) degrees Celsius (36 degrees to 43 degrees Fahrenheit) and keep them away form direct light or gasoline and and keep them away form direct light or gasoline and solvent vapors. solvent vapors.

Pack the samples in a cooler with Ice. As a tip, it might Pack the samples in a cooler with Ice. As a tip, it might be a good idea to bag up the sample and the ice be a good idea to bag up the sample and the ice separately in the cooler. This will help prevent leakage separately in the cooler. This will help prevent leakage or contamination of the sample from the ice.or contamination of the sample from the ice.


Deliver the samples to the laboratory or ship Deliver the samples to the laboratory or ship the samples by an overnight courier. This will the samples by an overnight courier. This will ensure prompt testing for the most accurate ensure prompt testing for the most accurate results. All samples must be received by the results. All samples must be received by the

laboratory within laboratory within 48 hours48 hours..


If the laboratory has any additional If the laboratory has any additional recommendations or requirements, they recommendations or requirements, they should be read and followed closely.should be read and followed closely.


If you have any additional questions, please If you have any additional questions, please contact your state or tribal drinking water contact your state or tribal drinking water program office for assistance. program office for assistance.

Following the proper drinking water sample Following the proper drinking water sample collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, knowing that the test results truly represent the knowing that the test results truly represent the quality of water your customers are drinking. After quality of water your customers are drinking. After all, isn’t our goal to ensure . . .all, isn’t our goal to ensure . . .


SOC Volatile Fumigants – Method SOC Volatile Fumigants – Method 551 551

Sampling Procedures Sampling Procedures

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Safe Drinking Water Act Phase II & V Sampling Procedures: Volatile Fumigants – Method 551