In 2002, the Department of Monitoring and Information Management of the Ministry of Environment (EPA), Executive Yuan, took over all the environmental water monitoring work nationwide. The sampling procedures all follow the rules announced by the Environmental Analysis Laboratory of the EPA. “Sampling Methods of River, Lake, Reservoir Water Quality” (NIEA W104.52C), “Sampling Methods of Groundwater of Monitoring Wells” (NIEA W103.56B ), and “The General Principles of Water Quality Testing Methods” (NIEA W102.51C) are basic regulations for sampling. For areas not covered by the aforementioned methods and rules, the Department of Environmental Monitoring and the Information Management of the MOENV enacted the
“Operation Guidelines for Environmental Water Quality Monitoring and Sampling(PDF)”
based on the monitoring purposes. The purpose of enacting the operating procedures for water quality sampling is that when relative agencies are conducting the sampling work, they can comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP), so as to collect representative samples and achieve the expected results of sampling. A complete sampling SOP should start from data collection to sending the samples back to the laboratory. The procedures and work descriptions are as follows:
Original sampling point’s work flow and content
Preparation before sampling
The sampling unit should make preparations according to the items drafted by the sampling plan. Next, the unit should reconvene at a conference to distribute the work and complete the final inspection and verification for the sampling devices before performing the site's sampling.
Site sampling operation
Consider things such as equipment, techniques, the site's detection procedure and safety considerations and compose a description and standardized format of the site's sampling record.
Quality assurance and control of sampling
The sampling operation should have a guaranteed quality assurance and control, thus, we could ensure that the samples are an accurate representation of the water.
The work flow and content of new-setting sampling point
Data Collection
The purpose of data collection is to provide a background understanding of water bodies, which include the collection of the water's geographic position, climate factors, hydrology and historical water quality data.
Initial scene exploration
The purpose of initial exploration of the scene is to determine the sampling position. In addition to that we need to recognize the conditions of the sampling site. After the sampling unit has familiarized with the monitoring station net’s configuration, they must examine the site and mark the exact position for other sampling personnel to recognize the spot.
Drafting sampling plan
The sampling unit needs to organize the sampling schedule, traffic, personnel arrangement and sampling devices in advance of the site sampling.
Preparation before sampling
The sampling unit should make preparations according to the items drafted by the sampling plan. Hold a conference to distribute work and complete the final inspection and verification for sampling devices before performing the site's sampling.
Site sampling operation
Consider the equipments, technique, site determination procedure, and safety considerations and compose a descriptive and standard format of the site's sampling record.
Quality assurance and control of sampling
The Sampling operation should have a guaranteed quality assurance and control, thus, we could ensure that the samples are an accurate representation of the water.