Am I Sampling Too Little, or Too Much? A Template to Guide Utilities on Appropriate Sampling Requirements

Proper sampling procedures are essential for representative sampling at wastewater treatment plants. However, this paper is directed towards identifying required sampling locations, the types of samples and specific analyses required, to meet current and future treatment objectives. The emphasis is on operational control and planning to prepare for future goals, and not on sampling requirements stipulated within operating permits. The results of this work should help Utilities meet current operational objectives as well as establish a reliable database for the application of process simulation models for plant upgrades and/or optimization.The paper presents recommended procedures to establish a complete survey of sampling practices at the plant, important for both plant personnel as well as consultants tasked with applying the information contained within operating and laboratory data. Recommendations for compiling laboratory and operational control data are included in the paper, as well as procedures for verifying the reliability of the data.A sampling template is described. An attempt has been made to provide a comprehensive questionnaire format that automatically develops a recommended sampling matrix. The matrix includes the recommended parameters, as well as the frequencies required and the reasons for including each parameter in the sampling matrix.