ZDHC Wastewater & Sludge

Sample Collection Training

Version 1.0
October 2020
 Introduction to ZDHC & Sample Collection
1 Training Module 2 Planning Activities

Training
Agenda 3
Sampling
Considerations & 4
Collecting Water
Samples
Sampling Locations
This training is divided into 8 separate
modules. Participants who wish to be a
certified Wastewater & Sludge Sampler
must undergo training through ZDHC
Field Test Collecting Solid Sludge
academy for all 8 modules in this course
and pass the exam at the end. 5 Measurement 6 Samples
The participants do not have to
complete the course in one-sitting. You
may pause and return to the course on a
later date.
Collecting Liquid Sample Documentation
7 Sludge Samples 8 & Shipment
 MODULE 3
SAMPLING CONSIDERATIONS & LOCATIONS

1. What are the key points when samplers are required to use
either disposable or non-disposable equipment?
KNOWLEDGE 2. To ensure representative samples are collected, when should
RECAP sampling be conducted?
3. Which document should you refer to when supporting the
determination of sampling points?
Have you understood the previous
chapter? 4. How do you determine the actual sampling points at the
facilities?
5. What are special technical consideration when you sample raw
wastewater and discharged wastewater at a direct or indirect
discharge facility?
6. Can you tell the difference between direct discharge, indirect
discharge and zero liquid discharge?
Collecting Water
Samples
Module 4
 • ZDHC requires composite
sampling for Wastewater
testing
• The composite sample is
collected over a minimum
Wastewater of 6-hours
Composite • Each discrete sample is
Sampling collected every hour or
more frequently
• To fill all the sample
containers a volume of 19-
Liters (5-gallons) is
required

Source: eawag.ch
 • Consider the hydraulic
retention time of the ETP
when deciding when to
start the sampling.
For facilities that don’t
operate continuously or in • For example if operations
a batch mode collect a start at 8 AM and the HRT
composite sample that of the ETP is 3 hours, then
represents those start sample collection at 11
operations AM and collect sample for
the length of time the
facility was in operation.

• A sample volume of 19-

Liters (5-gallons) is required
 Two types of time-composite samples:
1. Automatic sampler time-
composite. This is the ZDHC
TIME- preferred method
COMPOSITE 2. Manual sampling time-
SAMPLING composite. This method is
A time composite sample acceptable only if the automatic
consists of an equal volume of
discrete sample aliquots
sampler method is not practical.
collected at consistent time
intervals
AUTOMATIC SAMPLER REQUIREMENTS
Refrigeration Provision
Dimension & Flow Rate
& Capacity
The automatic sampler should be
The minimum inside diameter of the capable of providing adequate
intake line is 1/4 inch refrigeration during the sampling
01 04 period

The pumping velocity must be at least

Alternately, refrigeration can be
two (2) ft/s to transport solids and not 02 05
accomplished in the field by using ice
allow solids to settle

03 06
If the automatic sampler cannot hold a
For a ¼ inch line a flow rate of 1,200 19-liter (5-gallon) sample, use a
ml/min is needed for a sampling separate 19-liter container and
velocity of 2 ft/s transfer the auto sampler contents
how ever many times are needed
AUTOMATIC SAMPLER

Auto-samplers do not often

belong to the basic
OWNERSHIP OF

equipment of a laboratory or
individual ZDHC accepted
sampler

If a facility has their own

auto-sampler it can be used
for the sampling if it is
properly cleaned before use.

Courtesy of Huamei Wastewater Treatment Plant

Automatic Sampler Time-Composite
• This is an ZDHC preferred sampling method
• The composite sample is collected every hour for a minimum of 6-hours.
• Collect 3.2-liters each hour for a total minimum volume of 19-liters

Auto-Sampler in Action
CALCULATION NEEDED

For a ¼ “ sample line, a flow rate of 1,200

ml/min for a sampling velocity of 2 ft/sec, the
sampling time =

2 minutes 42 seconds every hour

Always ensure the sample line placement and pump

speed is set correctly or that you have done the
Source:: Peter Lenaker, USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center. Public domain correct calculation. The ensures you are collecting a
representative sample.
Manual Sampling Time-Composite

• This method is acceptable only if the

automatic sampler method is not
available and it is approved by the
organisation requesting the sampling
(brand/supplier)

• The composite sample is collected every

hour for a minimum of 6-hours

• Collect 3.2-liters each hour for a total

minimum volume of 19-liters
Courtesy of Elevate Textile
 Courtesy of
STS

• Place the auto-sampler

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

collection tube, or collect

AT EACH LOCATION

grab samples, at a point in

the Wastewater stream that
represents the entire flow

• The sample should be

collected near the center of
the flow channel, at
approximately 40 to 60
percent of the water depth,
where the turbulence is at a
maximum & the possibility
of solids settling is
minimised

KNOWLEDGE
REVIEW
Before proceeding to the
following chapters, have you
understood these critical
points?
1. What is the preferred method of sampling water?
2. How frequent should water be sampled?
3. What is the minimum volume of water to be collected?
4. What is the minimum requirement of an automatic
sampler?
5. In case of manual sampling, how frequently should the
water be sampled?
6. What other technical consideration should you take to
ensure the water sample you collect represents the entire
flow?
Please Proceed to Module 5
Field Test Measurements