Groundwater Monitoring

Worksheet Instructions

The worksheets contains the groundwater monitoring parameter names the way they must be submitted for statistical analyses. No parameter name or unit changes are permitted. For facilities conducting additional dissolved constituent analyses, an additional line(s) should be inserted after the listed parameter to include the additional dissolved parameter. The only permitted changes to the form are to accommodate the additional dissolved parameters. For parameters not shown in the list (Bicarbonate, potassium, quality assurance/quality control, field blanks, trip blanks, etc.), place them in a separate file. The file is saved as a Microsoft® Excel® comma separated value, also known as CSV, format. The data must be entered in the format shown on the sample form page.  Copy the downloadable worksheet and set up your master list including all wells in one file. The following guidelines must be followed in order for the data conversion to take place without encountering problems:

Column 1:  This column contains the well designation. It must be eight characters or less and must be the same designation that you are currently using. Changes to the designations from this point forward are not permitted. If you have questions call us first.

Column 2: This column contains the monitoring parameter name. The names occur in the exact order as shown in Appendix I. It also includes the indicator parameters (Chemical Oxygen Demand, Chlorides, Iron, pH, Specific Conductance, Total Dissolved Solids). Each submittal must be exactly the same as shown in the example and is already entered in the attached file on this page. Absolutely no changes can be made to this column except for the dissolved parameters mentioned above. Data fields may not be left blank. If a parameter is not tested, indicate so in the flag column and reported value column as necessary. If the format does not conform to what is supplied, your data will be rejected and sent back to you for correction.

Column 3:  This column contains the sampling date. The date must be entered in the mm/dd/yyyy format.

Column 4: This column contains the reporting units for each parameter. No changes will be permitted. You will need to be sure of your units and possibly convert them before entering them.

Column 5: This column contains the reported (quantified) value. If a parameter was not tested, ‘n/a’ must be entered in this column and ‘NT’ must be placed in the flag column. If the parameter was not detected, the practical quantitation limit should be entered in this column and ‘ND’ or ‘U’ must be placed in the flag column. If a trace is reported, we must have a value in both the method detection limit and practical quantitation limit columns. In this case a ‘J’ must be placed in the flag column. The trace value must be between the method detection limit and practical quantitation limit. For duplicate samples taken on the same day, simply add another line under the parameter name(s). For duplicate samples taken on different days, place the duplicate sample data below the original sample date and place a ‘D’ in the flag column. If the duplicate sample and original sample are both non-detects, report only the original sample. Lastly, if you report a duplicate sample, you must include the well designation for which it applies.

Column 6:  This column contains the practical quantitation limit value. This value is the laboratory’s achievable quantitation limit. It must always be reported within plus or minus 25 percent of the median practical quantitation limit for each specific parameter. If it is not included, the Solid Waste Management Program will return your data.

Column 7:   This column contains data flags. Enter flags ‘U’ or ‘ND’ for non-detects, ‘J’ for trace values, ‘NT’ for not tested, ‘D’ for duplicate, or leave blank for detected values.  No other flags are to be used.

Column 8: This column contains the method detection limit value. The method detection limit as established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or other appropriate source must be placed in this column. If it is not reported, the Solid Waste Management Program will return your data.

Field blanks, trip blanks, equipment blanks, matrix spikes, water level elevations or other Quality Assurance/Quality Control data must be placed in a separate file for reference. This data may be used for other purposes such as demonstrations at a later date, but, have no impact on routine statistical analyses.

These guidelines must be followed to ensure reliable data conversion to our software packages. This is a modification to your groundwater sampling and analysis plan. If you have questions, call the Solid Waste Management Program first at 573-751-5401.

Data may be submitted via the following methods: