Stormwater Monitoring Equipment Checklist

Use this checklist as a practical planning tool before buying or renting stormwater monitoring equipment.

1. Monitoring goal

• Compliance sampling
• Outfall characterization
• BMP performance monitoring
• Construction or industrial site screening
• Flow, rainfall, or water level tracking

2. Site conditions

• Drainage area and outfall locations
• Access during storm events
• Available power
• Cellular signal or telemetry needs
• Flooding, vandalism, traffic, or confined space concerns

3. Sampling method

• Grab sampling
• Composite sampling
• Flow-weighted sampling
• Automatic sampler with trigger
• Manual field screening with lab follow-up

4. Equipment categories

• Automatic sampler
• Water quality meter or sonde
• Water level logger
• Rain gauge
• Flow meter
• Telemetry gateway
• Sample bottles, tubing, strainers, and field supplies

5. Selection questions

• What parameters are being measured?
• What sample volume is required?
• Is refrigeration needed?
• Does the sampler need a rainfall, level, or flow trigger?
• How will field crews retrieve samples safely?
• How often will equipment be inspected and maintained?
• How will data be stored, checked, and reported?