Sampling Groundwater. Groundwater remains an important resource for many communities in the region. It makes a substantial contribution as a source of water to maintain aquatic environments and is an integral component in the long-term management of water resources on a regional and national scale. Groundwater is an important commodity and a vital input to both urban and rural industries, and our economy. Important groundwater characteristics include; simple physical and chemical attributes (temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity), mineral composition (cations and anions), isotopes of natural occurring elements, trace elements, and human induced constituents Groundwater sampling equipment is used to test or continuously monitor water sources for industrial pollutants. Effective groundwater sampling will help protect the water quality to ensure that the groundwater remains suitable for domestic, industrial, agricultural, and environmental uses and it will seek to prevent land subsidence that can damage expensive public and private infrastructure such as water conveyance and flood control facilities, and water xxxxx.
Sampling Groundwater. In the case of a groundwater quality monitoring system, xxxxx would generally be located in principal aquifers across a region to enable evaluation of the time and spatial variation in quality. Components of this system could also be located within or down gradient of areas of suspected or known contamination to monitor the long term effects on groundwater on the broad scale. How often one samples depends on the purpose of the sampling and the depth of the aquifer formations from which the well draws water. Some monitoring objectives may require more frequent sampling. • When screening the water quality in large production xxxxx that pump water from aquifer formations more than 300 feet deep, sampling every year to every few years is sufficient because changes in water quality for such a well will be gradual. • Shallower xxxxx, particularly domestic xxxxx with smaller pumping rates, should be sampled once or twice a year because they are more prone to short-term variations in groundwater quality and contamination. • If problems with well bacteria, well degradation, or iron (from a rusting well casing) have been identified and a well maintenance program has been implemented by a licensed contractor, frequent sampling may be necessary regardless of well depth in order to monitor the success of the well rehabilitation program over an extended period of time. • Finally, shallow monitoring xxxxx that are installed to monitor a potential pollution source may be sampled monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually9. All groundwater that is used for human consumption should be monitored to ensure that it is safe for domestic uses.
Sampling Groundwater. Groundwater is often sampled to determine the chemistry of the groundwater for purposes of utilizing the water for human consumption. Public water supply systems are subject to regulation by the California Department of Health Services, which specifies minimum guidelines for sampling frequency and sampling procedures that must be followed by any water system operator. United States Geological Survey (USGS) The USGS has conducted water quality sampling at more than 150 sites in the County since the 1920s. Analytical parameters vary, but can include physical measures (e.g., pH and temperature) nutrients, major inorganics (e.g., chloride, potassium, and sulfate), and minor inorganics (e.g., boron and manganese). The USGS also conducts research and special studies to further the development of scientific knowledge and its application to real world management problems.
