Standard Operating Procedures for the EPA

The EPA’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were developed to ensure consistency and quality assurance in preparing and managing environmental data and materials. EPA Standard Operating Procedures cover procedures at both the technical and managerial levels, and all organizations that fall under EPA guidelines must observe these procedures. According to the EPA, the SOPs are intended “to be specific to the organization or facility whose activities are described and assist that organization to maintain their quality control and quality assurance processes and ensure compliance with governmental regulations.” EPA Standard Operating Procedures were designed to be a well-developed quality control system to avoid environmental problems.

Field Measurements and Procedures

The EPA has determined that field measurements and procedures must follow a specific format for quality assurance. Field measurements apply primarily to water quality measurements and must be observed when monitoring the turbidity, conductivity, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Additionally, in the case of other types of field testing, the EPA requires procedures for general sampling, equipment decontamination, stream gauge measurements, stream flow measurements, electrofishing, and the transport and operation of a boat of other water vehicle for sample collections.


Sampling and Sample Handling

The EPA provides a wide range of SOPs for a variety of samples and how they must be handled. For instance, surface water must be sampled for metal levels. Groundwater covers a larger category of samples, as the EPA also has guidelines for well installation and measurements (including water pressure and static water level). What is more, soil samples must include a sampling of volatile organic compounds, while sediment sampling does not have this requirement. All samples must be recorded in four categories that include type of sample container, volume of sample, preservation method for maintaining sample, and holding time for sample.


Documentation

The EPA requires detailed documentation for all quality assurance activities, and this documentation must include three levels of maintenance. Those responsible for the sampling must log and track the sample, and then provide information about its correct disposal. A chain of custody must be provided for each sample, to ensure that the sample is managed properly at each location and to ensure that there are appropriate levels of responsibility for sample maintenance. Finally, each location must prove document control; in other words, each location must show how it maintains its records and how it keeps track of each sample that comes through to ensure that all procedures are followed correctly.