The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM) provides documented methods and protocols for USGS field personnel who collect water-quality data. The NFM provides detailed, comprehensive, and citable procedures for sampling water resources, processing samples for analysis of water quality, measuring field parameters, and specialized procedures.
As part of its mission, the USGS collects data to assess the quality of our Nation’s water resources. A high degree of reliability and standardization of these data are paramount to fulfilling this mission. Documentation of nationally accepted methods used by USGS personnel serves to maintain consistency and technical quality in data-collection activities. The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM) provides documented guidelines and protocols for USGS field personnel who collect water-quality data. The NFM provides detailed, comprehensive, and citable procedures for monitoring the quality of surface water and groundwater. Topics in the NFM include:
- Methods and protocols for sampling water resources
- Methods for processing samples for analysis of water quality
- Methods for measuring field parameters
- Specialized procedures, such as sampling water for low levels of mercury and organic wastewater chemicals, measuring biological indicators, and sampling bottom sediment for chemistry.
Personnel who collect water-quality data for national USGS programs and projects, including projects supported by USGS cooperative programs, are mandated to use protocols provided in the NFM per USGS Office of Water Quality Technical Memorandum 2002.13. Formal training, for example, as provided in the USGS class, “Field Water-Quality Methods for Groundwater and Surface Water,” and field apprenticeships supplement the guidance provided in the NFM and ensure that the data collected are high quality, accurate, and scientifically defensible.
Before 2017, NFM chapters were released in the USGS Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations (TWRI) series. Effective in 2017, new and revised NFM chapters are being released in the USGS Techniques and Methods series, which was established in 2003 to replace the TWRI series and other USGS reports. The change in the series classification does not in itself affect the content and format of the NFM. Each chapter of the NFM is reviewed regularly and revised periodically to update procedures, incorporate technical advances, and to address additional emerging topics of relevance to water quality field studies.
USGS National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data:
Table of Contents
A0. General Introduction for the NFM (Version 1.1, 6/2018)
A1. Preparations for Water Sampling (11/2018).
A2. Selection of Equipment for Water Sampling (Version 3.1, 4/2014)
A3. Cleaning of Equipment for Water Sampling (Version 2.0, 4/2004)
A4. Collection of Water Samples (Version 2.0, 9/2006)
A5. Processing of Water Samples, Version 2.2 (9/2004)
- 6.0 General Information and Guidelines (7/2023)
- 6.1 Temperature (Version 2, 3/2006)
- 6.2 Dissolved Oxygen (10/2020)
- 6.3 Specific Conductance (2/2019)
- 6.4 Measurement of pH (2/2021)
- 6.5 Reduction-Oxidation Potential-Electrode Method (Version 1.2, 9/2005)
- 6.6 Alkalinity and Acid Neutralizing Capacity (Version 4, 9/2012)
- 6.7 Turbidity (Version 2.1, 9/2005)
- 6.8 Use of Multiparameter Instruments for Routine Field Measurements (Version 1.1, 3/2012)
- 7.0. Five-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (11/2003)
- 7.1. Fecal Indicator Bacteria (Version 2.1, 5/2014)
- 7.2. Fecal Indicator Viruses (11/2003)
- 7.3. Protozoan Pathogens (11/2003)
- 7.4. Algal Biomass Indicators (Version 1.0, 8/2007)
- 7.5 Cyanobacteria in lakes and reservoirs: toxin and taste-and-odor sampling guidelines (Version 1.0, 9/2008)
A8. Bottom-Material Samples (Version 1.1, 6/2005)
A9. Superceded by the USGS handbook on "Safety and Health for Field Operations" (USGS 2014)
A10. Lakes and Reservoirs: Guidelines for Study Design and Sampling
Comments and errata for the NFM can be found here.
Below are publications associated with the National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM).
Water-quality sampling by the U.S. Geological Survey-Standard protocols and procedures
Chapter A6.2. Dissolved oxygen
Preparations for water sampling
General introduction for the “National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data”
Lakes and reservoirs—Guidelines for study design and sampling
Capsule- and disk-filter procedure
Chapter A7. Section 7.1. Fecal indicator bacteria
Chapter A2. Selection of equipment for water sampling
Chapter A5. Section 2.2B. Syringe-Filter Procedure for Processing Samples for Analysis of Organic Compounds by DAI LC-MS/MS
Chapter A6. Section 6.6. Alkalinity and acid neutralizing capacity
Chapter A6. Section 6.4. pH
Chapter A7 Biological Indicators
Chapter A6. Field Measurements
- Overview
The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM) provides documented methods and protocols for USGS field personnel who collect water-quality data. The NFM provides detailed, comprehensive, and citable procedures for sampling water resources, processing samples for analysis of water quality, measuring field parameters, and specialized procedures.
As part of its mission, the USGS collects data to assess the quality of our Nation’s water resources. A high degree of reliability and standardization of these data are paramount to fulfilling this mission. Documentation of nationally accepted methods used by USGS personnel serves to maintain consistency and technical quality in data-collection activities. The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM) provides documented guidelines and protocols for USGS field personnel who collect water-quality data. The NFM provides detailed, comprehensive, and citable procedures for monitoring the quality of surface water and groundwater. Topics in the NFM include:
- Methods and protocols for sampling water resources
- Methods for processing samples for analysis of water quality
- Methods for measuring field parameters
- Specialized procedures, such as sampling water for low levels of mercury and organic wastewater chemicals, measuring biological indicators, and sampling bottom sediment for chemistry.
Personnel who collect water-quality data for national USGS programs and projects, including projects supported by USGS cooperative programs, are mandated to use protocols provided in the NFM per USGS Office of Water Quality Technical Memorandum 2002.13. Formal training, for example, as provided in the USGS class, “Field Water-Quality Methods for Groundwater and Surface Water,” and field apprenticeships supplement the guidance provided in the NFM and ensure that the data collected are high quality, accurate, and scientifically defensible.
Before 2017, NFM chapters were released in the USGS Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations (TWRI) series. Effective in 2017, new and revised NFM chapters are being released in the USGS Techniques and Methods series, which was established in 2003 to replace the TWRI series and other USGS reports. The change in the series classification does not in itself affect the content and format of the NFM. Each chapter of the NFM is reviewed regularly and revised periodically to update procedures, incorporate technical advances, and to address additional emerging topics of relevance to water quality field studies.
USGS National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data:
Table of ContentsA0. General Introduction for the NFM (Version 1.1, 6/2018)
A1. Preparations for Water Sampling (11/2018).
A2. Selection of Equipment for Water Sampling (Version 3.1, 4/2014)
A3. Cleaning of Equipment for Water Sampling (Version 2.0, 4/2004)
A4. Collection of Water Samples (Version 2.0, 9/2006)
A5. Processing of Water Samples, Version 2.2 (9/2004)
- 6.0 General Information and Guidelines (7/2023)
- 6.1 Temperature (Version 2, 3/2006)
- 6.2 Dissolved Oxygen (10/2020)
- 6.3 Specific Conductance (2/2019)
- 6.4 Measurement of pH (2/2021)
- 6.5 Reduction-Oxidation Potential-Electrode Method (Version 1.2, 9/2005)
- 6.6 Alkalinity and Acid Neutralizing Capacity (Version 4, 9/2012)
- 6.7 Turbidity (Version 2.1, 9/2005)
- 6.8 Use of Multiparameter Instruments for Routine Field Measurements (Version 1.1, 3/2012)
- 7.0. Five-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (11/2003)
- 7.1. Fecal Indicator Bacteria (Version 2.1, 5/2014)
- 7.2. Fecal Indicator Viruses (11/2003)
- 7.3. Protozoan Pathogens (11/2003)
- 7.4. Algal Biomass Indicators (Version 1.0, 8/2007)
- 7.5 Cyanobacteria in lakes and reservoirs: toxin and taste-and-odor sampling guidelines (Version 1.0, 9/2008)
A8. Bottom-Material Samples (Version 1.1, 6/2005)
A9. Superceded by the USGS handbook on "Safety and Health for Field Operations" (USGS 2014)
A10. Lakes and Reservoirs: Guidelines for Study Design and Sampling
Comments and errata for the NFM can be found here.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with the National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM).
Water-quality sampling by the U.S. Geological Survey-Standard protocols and procedures
Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (1.0 MB) The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) develops the sampling procedures and collects the data necessary for the accurate assessment and wise management of our Nation's surface-water and groundwater resources. Federal and State agencies, water-resource regulators and managers, and many organizations and interested parties in the public and private sectorsAuthorsFranceska D. WildeFilter Total Items: 26Chapter A6.2. Dissolved oxygen
The “National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data” (NFM) provides guidelines and procedures for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel who collect data used to assess the quality of the Nation’s surface water and groundwater resources. This chapter, NFM A6.2, provides guidance and protocols for the measurement of dissolved oxygen, which include the scientific basis of the measurAuthorsPreparations for water sampling
The “National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data” (NFM) provides guidelines and procedures for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel who collect data used to assess the quality of the Nation’s surface-water and groundwater resources. This chapter, NFM A1, provides an overview of preparations for water sampling, which includes site reconnaissance, project work plans, quality-asAuthorsGeneral introduction for the “National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data”
BackgroundAs part of its mission, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collects data to assess the quality of our Nation’s water resources. A high degree of reliability and standardization of these data are paramount to fulfilling this mission. Documentation of nationally accepted methods used by USGS personnel serves to maintain consistency and technical quality in data-collection activities. “The NAuthorsLakes and reservoirs—Guidelines for study design and sampling
The “National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data” (NFM) is an online report with separately published chapters that provides the protocols and guidelines by which U.S. Geological Survey personnel obtain the data used to assess the quality of the Nation’s surface-water and groundwater resources. Chapter A10 reviews limnological principles, describes the characteristics that distiAuthorsCapsule- and disk-filter procedure
Capsule and disk filters are disposable, self-contained units composed of a pleated or woven filter medium encased in a polypropylene or other plastic housing that can be connected inline to a sample-delivery system (such as a submersible or peristaltic pump) that generates sufficient pressure (positive or negative) to force water through the filter. Filter media are available in several pore sizeAuthorsStanley C. SkrobialowskiChapter A7. Section 7.1. Fecal indicator bacteria
Fecal indicator bacteria are used to assess the microbiological quality of water because, although not typically disease causing, they are correlated with the presence of several waterborne disease-causing organisms. The concentration of indicator bacteria is a measure of water safety for body-contact recreation or for consumption. This report provides information on the equipment, sampling protocAuthorsDonna N. Myers, Marc A. SylvesterChapter A2. Selection of equipment for water sampling
The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (National Field Manual) describes protocols and provides guidelines for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel who collect data used to assess the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources. This chapter of the manual addresses the selection of equipment commonly used by USGS personnel to collect and processAuthorsFranceska D. Wilde, Mark W. Sandstrom, Stanley C. SkrobialowskiChapter A5. Section 2.2B. Syringe-Filter Procedure for Processing Samples for Analysis of Organic Compounds by DAI LC-MS/MS
This section of chapter 5 of the National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM) describes the field procedures for collecting small-volume samples using a syringe-tip filtration method. The samples are sent to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) for analysis of organic compounds by direct aqueous injection high-performance liquid chromatAuthorsMark W. Sandstrom, Franceska D. WildeChapter A6. Section 6.6. Alkalinity and acid neutralizing capacity
Alkalinity (determined on a filtered sample) and Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC) (determined on a whole-water sample) are measures of the ability of a water sample to neutralize strong acid. Alkalinity and ANC provide information on the suitability of water for uses such as irrigation, determining the efficiency of wastewater processes, determining the presence of contamination by anthropogenic wAuthorsStewart A. Rounds, Franceska D. WildeChapter A6. Section 6.4. pH
Measurement of pH is critical to the understanding of the viability and vulnerability of environmental waters and is considered a master variable in determining the aqueous geochemistry of an aqueous system. pH is a measure that represents the hydrogen-ion concentration (activity) of a solution. This section of the National Field Manual (NFM) describes U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) guidance and prAuthorsGeorge F. Ritz, J. A. CollinsChapter A7 Biological Indicators
The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (National Field Manual) provides guidelines and standard procedures for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel who collect data used to assess the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources. This chapter of the manual includes procedures for the (1) determination of biochemical oxygen demand using a 5-day bioAuthorsDonna N. Myers, Franceska D. WildeChapter A6. Field Measurements
The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (National Field Manual) provides guidelines and standard procedures for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel who collect data used to assess the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources. Chapter A6 presents procedures and guidelines for the collection of data on air and water temperature, and on dissolved