Expanded Preliminary Assessment Sampling Plan Guidance

SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS PLAN

The sampling and analysis plan (SAP) documents all sampling and analytical procedures to be performed. Describe all sampling activities by media. Include information on number of samples, type of samples (environmental, duplicate, etc.), sampling locations, methodologies, and equipment, and sample preservation techniques, if applicable. Describe what analyses are to be performed on each sample, including information such as EPA method number, detection limits, sample holding times, and any special analytical considerations.

The SAP should also include one or more maps of the facility that clearly indicate:

• The location of all existing and proposed soil borings, surface samples, groundwater monitoring wells, surface drainage sampling points, and air sample points;
• Important on-site structures, including tanks, sumps, catch basins, and pipelines;
• The location of past spills, disposal areas, and other waste and product management areas; and
• All pertinent structures adjacent to or near the site, such as drainage ditches, pipelines, roads, wells, and utility corridors.

The following information should be included in the SAP for all samples collected (by pathway):

Soil

Sampling

• number and locations of surface and subsurface samples
• depth of any subsurface samples
• type and category of samples (grab or composite; environmental, duplicate, or background)
• sample collection methods and tools
• equipment decontamination procedures
• sample preservation techniques
• types of sample containers to be used
• collection/disposal of excavated soil, if necessary

Analyses

• analyses to be performed on each sample
• EPA or other method reference number
• detection limits
• special analytical considerations

Groundwater

Sampling Existing Wells

• number of samples
• location of each sample, such as well number or location of well
• type of samples (i.e., environmental, duplicate, trip blank)
• screened interval of well being sampled
• type of well being sampled (domestic, municipal, etc.)
• well construction details, if known
• purge methods and tools
• sample collection methods and tools
• sample filtration methods, if any
• equipment decontamination procedures
• sample preservation techniques
• types of sample containers used
• collection/disposal of purge water, if necessary

Installing and Sampling New Wells

In addition to the items listed above for sampling existing wells, include the following information in the SAP when the sampling plan calls for the installation of new wells:

• proposed well locations
• well construction details
• well drilling and installation methods
• well development and completion methods
• decontamination of drilling equipment, casing, etc.
• collection/disposal of drill cuttings and fluids, if necessary

Analyses

• analyses to be performed on each sample
• EPA or other method reference number
• detection limits
• special analytical considerations

Surface Water

Sampling

• number and locations of samples
• media sampled (water, sediment, or both)
• depth of any sediment samples
• type of samples (environmental, duplicate, etc.)
• sample collection methods and tools
• equipment decontamination procedures
• sample preservation techniques
• types of sample containers

Analyses

• analyses to be performed on each sample
• EPA or other method reference number
• detection limits
• special analytical considerations

Air

Sampling

• number and locations of samples
• type of samples (i.e., environmental, collocated, filter blanks)
• sample collection methods and tools
• equipment decontamination procedures
• special sampling handling procedures
• predominant wind direction, diurnal wind shift
• period of time to be sampled, volume of air to be sampled
• filter type (PUF, cellulose fiber filter, etc.)
• sample container
• sample preservation techniques

Analyses

• analyses to be performed on each sample
• EPA or other method reference number
• detection limits
• special analytical considerations

SUMMARY OF SAMPLING AND LAB ANALYSES

Prepare a table summarizing sampling and analysis information. Include sample ID, number of samples to be collected, sample type, analyses requested, method reference number, and detection limits.

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