BS 8550:2010

This standard BS 8550:2010 Guide for the auditing of water quality sampling is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.060.10 Water of natural resources

This British Standard provides an audit protocol to monitor conformity with declared, or assumed, practices in all areas of water quality sampling. Specifically, the standard provides guidance on the systematic assessment of sampling practices and procedures in the field, and assessing conformity with those given in the organization’s sampling manual. It is applicable to the audit of sampling activities from the development of a sampling manual through to the delivery of samples to the laboratory.

NOTE The design of the sampling manual is the prerogative of the data user and this British Standard is not intended to deliver criticism of a manual’s structure.

This standard is applicable to sampling practices associated with wastewaters, including discharges to water bodies, environmental monitoring, potable water supplies from source to tap, commercial and industrial uses of water, and power generation.

This standard is applicable to the auditing of sampling practices relevant to the management of water stored in containers, such as temporary supply tanks and bottled supplies. However, it is not applicable for the auditing (or calibration and maintenance) of on-site test equipment or kits.

NOTE BS 1427 covers water test kits used “in the field”.

The following sampling occasions are excluded from both the field- and desk-audit procedures set out in this standard:

1. chemical and microbiological incidents, which are investigated by agencies such as the emergency services, e.g. where an immediate risk to the health of the sampling practitioner/operative is evident;

2. radiochemical sampling of water quality, other than that specified as a routine requirement under the UK Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations [1],[2],[3],[4], i.e. radiochemical incidents which are investigated by agencies such as the emergency services.

Annex A contains a series of forms to assist with auditing. These are for guidance only. Annex B gives procedures for monitoring temperature control, while Annex C provides guidance on measuring the uncertainty associated with sampling practices.