Focus On Water Division
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Standard Operating Procedure

Water Quality Division
Water Quality Assessment Section - GW

Standard Operating Procedure Number: GW-171
Title: Handling Wastes Generated During Groundwater Sampling
Written Date: September 1, 2000
Approved Date:


Purpose: To ensure that wastes generated during ground water sampling are handled and disposed of in a safe, consistent, and environmentally responsible manner.

Equipment/Materials Needed:
  • Appropriate groundwater sampling equipment and materials as per SOP # GW-030, Appendix A.
  • Wide-mouth clear glass jar, 1 l w/ lid
  • Plastic garbage bags

Procedures:

1. Obtain ground water samples and perform field operations as per SOPs #GW-060, 061, 070, 080, 100, 120, and 130.
2. The general types of wasted generated during ground water sampling will be containerized in the field as follows:
2.1. Filter paper envelopes and used filter papers: dispose in a suitable plastic garbage bag (NOTE: if necessary, large-capacity (e.g. 33 gallon) plastic garbage bags can be purchased; otherwise the small plastic bags used to package ice or similar bags can be used for garbage disposal).
2.2. Used Hach™ nitrate reagent pillows: dispose in a suitable plastic garbage bag.
2.3. Used triazine immunoassay tubes: rinse thoroughly and dispose in a suitable plastic garbage bag.
2.4. Empty triazine immunoassay reagent bottles: secure the entire empty triazine field kit and dispose in a suitable plastic garbage bag.
2.5. Used acid vials:
2.5.1. Broken-off vial tops: carefully dispose in the glass waste jar.
2.5.2. Empty acid vials: carefully invert the empty vial and place it upside-down in the styrofoam vial container.
2.5.3. Styrofoam vial containers (after all vials are used): place both halves of the styrofoam container together, place the container in its original plastic bag and place the container and bag in the cardboard box in which the vial container originally came.
2.6. Miscellaneous waste: paper, candy wrappers, drink containers, used gloves, unuseable cubitainers, etc.: dispose in a suitable plastic garbage bag.
3. The containerized field waste will be disposed of as follows:
3.1. Plastic garbage bags containing nonhazardous and miscellaneous waste: dispose in a suitable trash container (e.g. dumpster, trash bin, etc.) in the field or upon return.
3.2. Glass waste jar: when full, deliver to the NHHS lab either when delivering samples or when picking up additional supplies.
3.3. Used acid vial containers: deliver to the NHHS lab either when delivering samples or when picking up additional supplies.