UFC 3-240-13FN
25 May 2005
CHAPTER 6
WATER SAMPLING AND TESTING OF WATER SYSTEMS
6-1
WATER SAMPLING AND TESTING. Water sampling and testing
procedures provide information that can be used for the following purposes: to ensure
the protection of the water system equipment; to prevent unexpected system failure; to
provide information used to control water quality; and to verify that water treatment
chemicals are maintained at the proper concentration within the system or, if not, to
allow for adjustment of their concentration. Adequate chemical treatment of water
systems requires that specific levels of specific chemicals be maintained in the water to
provide the system with protection from corrosion and deposits. This requirement
applies to both cooling and boiler water systems. The purpose of a sampling and
analysis program for industrial water is to ensure and verify that the required levels of
treatment chemicals are being maintained and that the water quality parameters are
within the specified control ranges. The sampling and analysis program incorporates
two levels of testing: in-plant routine testing used for operational purposes, and periodic
independent (third-party) QA testing used for verification and oversight. When an
analytical test indicates that the concentration of a given chemical is not within the limits
required, the testing process must be evaluated to determine that the sampling and
testing were performed properly and that the test result is valid. As part of an adequate
QA/QC program, test methods, including the chemical reagents, must be checked on a
routine basis. A properly applied industrial water treatment program incorporates
procedures that ensure that representative samples, which are samples that are
representative of actual water system conditions, have been collected and analyzed.
Safety considerations must be a priority when sampling any industrial water system
(particularly boilers) and when conducting laboratory tests.
6-1.1
In-Plant Testing. In-plant testing is used by water system operators to
monitor and ensure both the proper operation of system equipment and the proper
quality of the water in the equipment. Routine, appropriate, in-plant operational testing
of the system waters is an essential component of a water treatment program. Routine
testing of specific operational parameters and water quality criteria allows the operator
to verify the adequacy of the water treatment program and to make necessary
adjustments to avoid and prevent operational problems. When an analytical test
indicates that the concentration of a given chemical is not within the limits required, the
testing process must be evaluated to determine that the sampling and testing were
performed properly and that the test result is valid. If testing data for the water quality
analyses are inconsistent with that expected for the treatment method being used, the
reasons must be determined. This determination can involve reanalysis and checking of
the test reagents, as well as checking the accuracy of the in-plant testing results
through independent QA analysis. Military installations are required to obtain water
testing chemicals and equipment from commercial sources. Test procedures will be
furnished with the test kits.
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