National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM) Active
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 (11/2023)
- 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. Section 6.0. General information and guidelines for field-measured water-quality properties
Chapter A6. Section 6.1. Temperature
Chapter A4. Collection of water samples
Chapter A6. Section 6.5. Reduction-Oxidation Potential (Electrode Method)
Chapter A5. Section 6.4.A. Arsenic Speciation
Chapter A6. Section 6.7. Turbidity
Chapter A5. Section 6.4.B. Low-Level Mercury
Chapter A3. Cleaning of equipment for water sampling
Chapter A7. Section 7.0. Five-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Chapter A7. Section 7.2. Fecal Indicator Viruses
Chapter A7. Section 7.3. Protozoan Pathogens
Chapter A5. Processing of water samples
- 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 (11/2023)
- 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. Section 6.0. General information and guidelines for field-measured water-quality properties
This report summarizes information, guidelines, and minimum requirements that apply generally to the seven field-measurement sections that comprise the rest of Chapter A6 of this U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM). Protocols are specified for establishing and maintaining data records, use of field-measurement instruments and methods,AuthorsFranceska D. WildeChapter A6. Section 6.1. Temperature
Accurate temperature measurements are required for accurate determinations of important environmental parameters such as pH, specific electrical conductance, and dissolved oxygen, and to the determination of chemical reaction rates and equilibria, biological activity, and physical fluid properties. This section of the National Field Manual (NFM) describes U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) guidance andAuthorsFranceska D. WildeChapter A4. Collection of water samples
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 that are used to assess the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources. This chapter addresses preparations and appropriate methods for the collection of surface-water, groundwater,AuthorsChapter A6. Section 6.5. Reduction-Oxidation Potential (Electrode Method)
Reduction-oxidation (redox) potential--also referred to as Eh--is a measure of the equilibrium potential, relative to the standard hydrogen electrode, developed at the interface between a noble metal electrode and an aqueous solution containing electroactive chemical species. Measurements of Eh are used to evaluate geochemical speciation models, and Eh data can provide insights on the evolution anAuthorsD. Kirk Nordstrom, Franceska D. WildeChapter A5. Section 6.4.A. Arsenic Speciation
Two sample-processing methods (field speciation and laboratory speciation) used at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) are specific to sample analysis by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for determining the concentration of inorganic and organic arsenic species in a water sample. The field-speciation method requires NWQL Schedule 1729. The laboratory-speciation mAuthorsJohn R. GarbarinoChapter A6. Section 6.7. Turbidity
Turbidity is one of the indicators used to assess the environmental health of water bodies. Turbidity is caused by the presence of suspended and dissolved matter, such as clay, silt, finely divided organic matter, plankton and other microscopic organisms, organic acids, and dyes. This section of the National Field Manual (NFM) describes the USGS protocols for determining turbidity in surface and gAuthorsChauncey W. AndersonChapter A5. Section 6.4.B. Low-Level Mercury
Collecting and processing water samples for analysis of mercury at a low (subnanogram per liter) level requires use of ultratrace-level techniques for equipment cleaning, sample collection, and sample processing. Established techniques and associated quality-assurance (QA) procedures for the collection and processing of water samples for trace-element analysis at the part-per-billion level (NFM 3-AuthorsMichael Edward Lewis, Mark E. BrighamChapter A3. Cleaning 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. Chapter A3 describes procedures for cleaning the equipment used to collect and process samples of surface water and groChapter A7. Section 7.0. Five-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand
The presence of a sufficient concentration of dissolved oxygen is critical to maintaining the aquatic life and aesthetic quality of streams and lakes. Determinng how organic matter affects the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in a stream or lake is integral to water-quality management. The decay of organic matter in water is measured as biochemical or chemical oxygen demand. This report descAuthorsGregory C. Delzer, Stuart W. McKenzieChapter A7. Section 7.2. Fecal Indicator Viruses
More than 100 types of human pathogenic viruses may be present in fecal-contaminated waters. Coliphages are used as indicators of virus-related fecal contamination and of the microbiological quality of waters. This report provides information on the equipment, sampling protocols, and laboratory methods that are in standard use by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel for the collection of data oAuthorsRebecca N. BushonChapter A7. Section 7.3. Protozoan Pathogens
Protozoan pathogens are widely distributed in the aquatic environment. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are the principal protozoan pathogens that are known to affect the acceptability of water supplies for public use within the United States. A sampling program for protozoan pathogens should be conducted over an extended period of time because of cyclical and seasonal variations in their concentrationAuthorsRebecca N. Bushon, Donna S. FrancyChapter A5. Processing of water samples
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 addresses methods to be used in processing water samples to be analyzed for inorganic and organic chemical