Tips and Tricks

Who needs more stress in their life?  Do I see ANY hands out there?  Most likely no one reading this article actually wants to ADD stress to anything in their life.

We can't help you with every day stress, but perhaps we can help you with making your groundwater sampling less stressful.  When compared to traditional sampling methods using HydraSleeves can be considered stress free.

The originators and regulators of low flow groundwater sampling have called their method low stress sampling.  With that in mind, HydraSleeve no-purge sampling can be deemed no stress groundwater sampling in more ways than one.

From the time you place your first order for HydraSleeve products, you can breathe a sign of relief.  Packaging of our products is small and efficient - there is no stressing large shipments of complicated equipment.  Typically one or two small packages will set up sampling for 50-100 wells.

-No stressing logisitcs of arranging for several technicians for several days lugging around heavy equipment.

-Less stress for the safety of your team

-There will be no stress on the well from sampling

-Less stress on the environment

-No stess to eliminate contaminated purge water

-Much less stress on your budget

Stop stressing, start living. 

Use HydraSleeves for your groundwater sampling projects and leave the stress behind at the office.

For your convenience, we have added a new search feature to our website. 

Perhaps you remember an article we wrote several years ago and would like to find it. Or maybe you just need information on the HydraSleeve check valve.

We had an article called Fishing for HydraSleeves we can use for a good example.  This was an article and video that explains how to retrieve HydraSleeves that have been lost downhole.

The search feature can be found at the top of every page of our website within the header area.  Highlighted above.

Simply type in this search box any phrase of interest.  If we put in fishing for hydrasleeves we get 3 results:

1. Article index which is a yearly summary of our articles (where the Fishing for HydraSleeves article is listed)

2. Link to the video library where you can view the Fishing for HydraSleeves video.

3. Link to the written instructions about Fishing for HydraSleeves.

We hope this search feature will help to make your HydraSleeve research just like the sleeves....Simple By Design

Many times we have covered the topic of sample volume, and many times we have recommended that HydraSleeves users negotiate lower sample volumes with their labs.

Well the negotiation process seems to be getting more accepted.  When the "leading environmental testing firm in the United States" introduces a Lower Volume Initiative (LVI) we know things are getting easier.  Test America has  "reduce(d) the sample size for a number of analytical methods under its Lower Volume Initiative^SM (LVI) Program across their network of over 90 locations. The LVI Program offers clients the ability to significantly reduce water samples normally collected using the traditional 1000mL (1 Liter) volume container."  Please see the link here to their detailed article explaining the new LVI Program.

We also now have a contact at Test America who will help you utilize their LVI program.  Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or call 732-687-7528 and she will be happy to help you implement the LVI program into your sampling project if it's possible.

This is big news for HydraSleeve users.  Sample volume has always been one of the obstacles that needs to be overcome when introducing no-purge sampling to a groundwater monitoring program.  Many labs ask for much more volume than is needed to perform the analysis.  For years we have been providing a minimum sample volume spreadsheet which was developed by the ITRC for use in determining what is the lowest sample volume actually needed for anaylsis of various contaminants.    This table illustrates the problem many HydraSleeve users have faced when trying to balance the sample volume required by the lab and what is actually needed to perform the analysis:

We are more than happy to help Test America share the news.

For HydraSleeve specific questions, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us 800-996-2225.

For questions on Test America's LVI Program and sample volume requirements, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call her at 732-687-7528.

We always recommend using our reusable Spring Clips with our HydraSleeves whenever possible. They are available in 2-inch, 2-inch altered, and 4-inch sizes.  The altered 2-inch Spring Clip will be provided when using them with the larger 2-inch 1-liter HydraSleeve (HS-2-1L).

Spring Clips provide a quick release point and a secure tether connection for our standard and armored HydraSleeves.  They also ensure proper sample recovery as the HydraSleeve will have the proper round opening as seen in these photos.  Please note the check valve will remain closed due to the pressure of the water column pressing on the outside of the bag when the HydraSleeve is installed with the Spring Clip in place.

Spring Clips are also used with top weights.  All HydraSleeve top weights will come with the appropriate sized spring clip.

Please click here for a link to the Spring Clip Instruction Sheet.

 When spring clips cannot be used there is an alternative method to attaching the HydraSleeve to the tether.  The tether can be tied to ONE side of the HydraSleeve utilizing the stiffener in the top of the sleeve as seen below in Plan B: