ZDHC Wastewater & Sludge

Sample Collection Training

Version 1.0
October 2020
 Introduction to ZDHC & Sample Collection
1 Training Module 2 Planning Activities

Training
Agenda 3
Sampling
Considerations & 4
Collecting Water
Samples
Sampling Locations
This training is divided into 8 separate
modules. Participants who wish to be a
certified Wastewater & Sludge Sampler
must undergo training through ZDHC
Field Test Collecting Solid Sludge
academy for all 8 modules in this course
and pass the exam at the end. 5 Measurement 6 Samples
The participants do not have to
complete the course in one-sitting. You
may pause and return to the course on a
later date.
Collecting Liquid Sample Documentation
7 Sludge Samples 8 & Shipment
 MODULE 4
COLLECTING WATER SAMPLES

1. What is the preferred method of sampling water?

KNOWLEDGE 2. How frequent should water be sampled?
RECAP 3. What is the minimum volume of water to be collected?

4. What is the minimum requirement of an automatic

Have you understood the previous
chapter?
sampler?

5. In case of manual sampling, how frequently should the

water be sampled?

6. What other technical consideration should you take to

ensure the water sample you collect represents the entire
flow?
 Field Test
Measurement
Module 5
Field Test Measurement ZDHC Wastewater Sampling Field Data
Sampling Information Sample Collection Information
Overview & Principles Facility Name: Sampling Location:

Date: Sampling Device Description/Owner:

Sampler Name/Email:

• Field measurements (parameters on site) Sampling Mode: Autosampler □ Manual □

should always be made using a separate

Sampler ZDHC Accreditation #: Start Time:

ZDHC Composite Sample Code: Stop Time:

sub-sample that is discarded once the ZDHC Wastewater Flow Device Dimensions

measurements have been made Measurment Meter

(cm)
Pipe
O
Flume
U
Wier
V
Diameter NA
Depth NA NA NA

• Field measurements should never be ZDHC Wastewater Sampling Field Testing QA/QC
LCS LCS Accuracy

made on water samples that are sent to a Parameter Known

pH
Measured %

laboratory for further chemical analysis

Conductivity

ZDHC Wastewater Sample Collection Field Test Measurments

• Field measurements shall be recorded on Samling Temperature, ᵒC

Time Wastewater Receiving pH
Persistant Wastewater Alternate Measured Flow
Conductivity Foam Flow Meter Depth Velocity

the ZDHC Wastewater Sampling Field

(hours) Discharge Water (units) (µS/cm) (yes/No) (L/min) (cm) (cm/Sec)
0
1

Data Form 2
3
4
5
6
Ave*
Making field measurements on the * reported with lab data

sample being sent to the lab can

contaminate the sample Example of ZDHC Wastewater Sampling Field Data Worksheet
Field Test Measurement
What Parameters to be Measured?
The following field test measurements are to be made every hour during the
composite sampling and reported on the sample collection form:

01 02 03 04 05 06
Wastewater Wastewater Wastewater Persistent
Temperature Comments
Flow pH Conductivity Foam

Both the wastewater e.g. Odour & Colour

discharge sample and the
receiving water upstream
for direct-discharge
facilities
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

• Wastewater flow must be

recorded at each sampling
01 location
• It is expected that the
facility will provide
Wastewater wastewater flow
Flow
measurements
• Use the facilities existing
wastewater flow meters
• If flow meters are not at the
facility, measure the flow
using other techniques
(measurement should be in unit of
m3/h)
Source: Romtec Utilities
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

Determination via calculation is

needed and you will need to measure

01 the following parameter

1. Dimensions of weir, flume, pipe,

or duct
Wastewater
Flow 2. Wastewater depth

Water Depth
3. Wastewater velocity – measure
how fast something that floats
goes over a measured distance. Width
What if a flow For example, 6-meters in 4.5
meter is not seconds.
available?
Wastewater flow measurements
are needed to properly evaluate
the sample test results.
Source: Open Channel Flow
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

Specification of pH probe
• Ideally a high quality pH probe with automatic temperature compensation
02 (ATC)
• In case this is not available, you should do this manually with pH test strips

Wastewater
pH Calibration
• Include acidic (pH 4), neutral (pH 7), and basic (pH 10) buffer solutions for
a three-point calibration
• Record the pH probe slope
Specification &
calibration of pH • Analyze a laboratory control sample (LCS) or correlation testing sample
probe with a known value. The measured result must be +/- 20% of the true
value. If not, determine the source of error and correct before taking
measurements.
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

02 Measurement and Reporting

• Dip the probe into the water
• If your probe has the ATC
Wastewater functionality, the pH reading will
pH be temperature compensated and
converted/reported to a 25ᵒC
reference temperature
• If not you manually convert the
Measurement &
Recording result and report to to a 25 ᵒC
reference temperature

Courtesy of Hohenstein
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

Specification
• Use a conductivity meter with automatic temperature
compensation (ATC) capabilities.
03 • In case this is not available, you can do this manually

Calibration
Wastewater • Analyze a laboratory control sample (LCS) or correlation
Conductivity testing sample with a known value.
• The measured result must be +/- 20% of the true value. If
not, determine the source of error and correct before taking
measurements.
Specification &
calibration of
conductivity
Measurement and Reporting
probe • Conductivity maybe influenced by the water temperature.
• You should report your measure in µS/cm.
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

Thermometer Sampling Point Sampling Point

Specification Direct Discharge Facilities Indirect Discharge Facilities
04
• ISO 17025 traceable For a direct discharge For an indirect
thermometer for facility BE SURE to discharge facility
measuring sample measure the measure the
Temperature temperature of both:
temperature temperature of:

• Thermometer used • The upstream • Wastewater

shall be calibrated receiving water – discharge sample
Thermometer and capable of measured once
Specification & measuring within an • The wastewater
Sampling Points accuracy of ±1°C. sample
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

• We encourage the samplers to find a safe

way to measure the upstream receiving
water temperature.
04
• This may include the use of the following:
• Long handled sampler (Figure B)
Temperature • Bucket on a rope (Figure C)
• Probe with a long service cord. Such
as a Dissolved Oxygen (DO) /
Temperature combo probe
Safe Sampling commonly used at wastewater
of Wastewater treatment plant
(Upstream • A well water bailer
Temperature) • Find a bridge up-stream where a
sample can be taken safely
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

With all of this, we do understand that

there may be an odd time when it is
04 just impractical/impossible or
dangerous to take an upstream
temperature measurement
Temperature In this case, we require that the
sampler provide proof of this with a
written explanation and a picture of the
situation
Safe Sampling of
Wastewater Without both temperature
measurements the delta or difference
(Upstream cannot be calculated. This will result in
Temperature) a non-conformance for the plant which
may require additional sampling. Credit: South Adam County Water & Sanitation District
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

SAMPLING
04 At the time each discrete sample is
collected for the composite or every
hour with continuous composite
Temperature sampling

REPORTING
Report each individual sample
Sampling & temperature (after every hour, 6
Reporting times typically) and the average
temperature on the sample
(Upstream collection form
Temperature)
Courtesy of Hohenstein
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

FIELD MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY

1. Take a digital photo of any foam within
05 2.
the wastewater treatment system
Visually estimate the depth of the foam
3. Note if any foam is not contained within
Persistent the aeration basins
Foam 4. If a facility does not have an ETP or an
aeration basin then observe and measure
any foam in the wastewater discharge
Field
PASS OR FAIL REQUIREMENT
Measurement
Requirement Foam higher than 45 centimeters or foam not
contained within the aeration basin does not
meet the requirements of the ZDHC
Wastewater Guidelines
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

Examples of Normal Aeration Process - Meet Requirement

05
Persistent
Foam

Field
Measurement
Requirement

Courtesy of STS
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

Examples of Stiff White Foam - Does Not Meet Requirement

05
Persistent
Foam

Field
Measurement
Requirement

Courtesy of STS
Field Test Measurement
Measurement in Practice

Include any comments from the sampling team such as wastewater colour,
odour, and other observations
06

Comments

e.g. Odour & Colour

Courtesy of Huamei Wastewater Treatment Plant

 1. What parameter(s) should you conduct field testing on?

2. Where should you record your field test results?

KNOWLEDGE 3. What should you do in case the facility does not have a
flow meter?
REVIEW 4. How should you calibrate your pH meters?

Before proceeding to the

5. What is the specification of a thermometer for the
following chapters, have you purpose of measuring water temperature?
understood these critical
points?
6. How do you measure water conductivity?

7. What is the requirement of persistent foam and how do

you determine if it meets the requirement?
 Please Proceed to Module 6&7:
Collecting Solid Sludge Samples
Collecting to Liquid Sludge Samples