ASTM D5408-93(1998)

1.1 This guide is Part One of three guides to be used in conjunction with Practice D5254 that delineates the data desirable to describe a ground-water data collection or sampling site. This guide describes additional information beyond the minimum set of data elements that may be needed to identify a ground-water site. Part Two identifies physical descriptors, such as construction, for a site, while Part Three identifies usage descriptors, such as monitoring, for an individual ground-water site.

1.2 These data elements are described in terms used by ground-water hydrologists. Standard references, such as the Glossary of Geology and various hydrogeologic professional publications, are used to determine these definitions. Many of the suggested elements and their representative codes are those established by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey and used in the National Water Information Systems computerized data base (1-9).

1.3 This guide includes the data elements desirable to identify a ground-water site beyond those given in the "Minimum Set of Data Elements." Some examples of the data elements are map identification, permitting facts, and supporting information. No single site will need every data element, for example, many ground-water sites do not need the data elements described in the legal record group. Each record (group of related data elements) for a site has mandatory data elements, such as the date for the ownership record. However, these elements are considered necessary only when that specific record is gathered for the site.

1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.