Sampling Equipment
A field-oriented guide to equipment used for stormwater, wastewater, surface water, process water, and reuse-water sampling.
Manual sampling tools
- Sample bottles and preservatives specified by the laboratory.
- Sampling poles, dippers, bailers, buckets, and extension tools.
- Coolers, ice, labels, custody seals, field notebooks, and chain-of-custody forms.
- Personal protective equipment and safe-access supplies.
Automatic samplers
Automatic samplers are useful when storm timing is uncertain, when composite samples are required, or when staff cannot safely collect samples during the entire event. They may be triggered by time, flow, rainfall, water level, or an external signal.
Planning considerations
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Grab or composite? | Determines whether simple manual tools or an automatic sampler may be needed. |
| What parameters? | Bottle type, preservation, holding time, and lab method depend on the analyte. |
| Where is the sample point? | Access, safety, representativeness, and flow conditions control equipment choice. |
| How will results be documented? | Field notes, photos, calibration logs, and chain of custody support defensible results. |