Significance and Use

Data on the composition and characteristics of water are frequently used to evaluate the health and safety to humans and the environment.

Moreover, such data are frequently used for process control or to ascertain compliance with regulatory statutes that place limits on acceptable compositions and characteristics of waters.

Laboratories that conduct water sampling and generate analytical data, and those persons who have the responsibility for selecting a laboratory to perform water quality studies, need to use criteria, guidelines, and recommendations that have been developed by consensus and are well accepted in making this selection.

Demonstration and documentation by a laboratory that there was judicious selection and control of organization, facilities, resources, and operations will enhance the credibility of the data produced and promote its acceptance.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide provides information on consensus good laboratory practices for laboratories that provide services in the sampling and analysis of water. As consensus standards, these are the minimum criteria that all laboratories should consider in establishing their good laboratory practices.

1.2 This guide is designed to be used by those responsible for the selection, operation, or control of laboratory organizations engaged in sampling and analysis of water.

1.3 This guide presents features of organization, facilities, resources, and operations which affect the usefulness of the data generated.

1.4 This guide presents criteria for selection and control of the features described in and also makes recommendations for the correction of unacceptable performance.

1.5 This guide describes methodology and practices intended to be completely consistent with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 series of standards and Guide 25 - 1990 () .

1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D1129 Terminology Relating to Water

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water

D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits

D3694 Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers and for Preservation of Organic Constituents

D4210 Practice for Intralaboratory Quality Control Procedures and a Discussion on Reporting Low-Level Data

D4375 Practice for Basic Statistics in Committee D19 on Water

D4447 Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and Samples

D4840 Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures

D4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents

D5172 Guide for Documenting the Standard Operating Procedures Used for the Analysis of Water

D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis

E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics

E548 Guide for General Criteria Used for Evaluating Laboratory Competence

Keywords

analytical practices; analytical resources; good laboratory practice; quality assurance; quality control; trouble shooting; Accreditation practice; Analytical chemistry materials/applications; Calibration--water analysis instrumentation; Data analysis--water; Field testing--water; Laboratory environmental analysis; Performance--water analysis equipment; Quality control (QC)--water; Sampling water analysis applications; Trouble shooting; Water analysis;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.060.45 (Examination of water in general)

DOI: 10.1520/D3856-11

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D3856