Low‐Flow Groundwater Purging and Sampling

Abstract

Abstract Low‐flow groundwater sampling was developed in the 1990s as a way to obtain accurate, representative, and reproducible groundwater samples in a manner which generated less sampling‐derived liquids requiring disposal. Groundwater monitor wells are installed primarily as tools to measure the dissolved concentrations of contaminants in groundwater in and around facilities where the release of contaminants has occurred or where the potential exists for such a release. Although they are widely used, there are still questions about how best to collect samples from groundwater monitoring wells in such a way as to generate representative results. Installation of a well always results in some disturbance of the local environment around the well. Moreover, water in a well can become stagnant and often does not reflect the surrounding groundwater conditions. Traditional methods of purging can be problematic. Thus, low flow groundwater purging is an important method to be used prior to sampling. This article discusses methods of low flow purging for groundwater monitoring wells