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 InitiativeSM (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:
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Minimum Sample Volumes for Common Environmental Analytical Methods |
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| Parameter | Asked for | Accepted Minimum Volume for one Analysis |
| Alkalinity | 200 (mls) | 10 (mls) |
| Hex Chromium | 300 | 5 |
| Perchlorate | 50 | 25 |
| Total Hardness | 100 | 10 |
| VOC's | 140 | 20 |
| BNAs | 1000 | 250 |
| Pesticides | 1000 | 100 |
| PCBs | 1000 | 100 |
| Total | 3790 | 510 |
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.