We try to characterize the large amounts of water on the basis of a small sample volume in order to:
- Document the water quality to the customer / government (eg. meet the requirements for documentation in the Drinking Water Regulations)
- Monitor water quality at special events
- Monitor specific risk points and problem areas on the collection/distribution systems
- Determine whether the treatment plant must be expanded
- Calculate the load on the wastewater treatment plant
- Calculate wastewater fees for businesses
- Optimize treatment processes
- Decide that could have major economic and environmental consequences
Types of samples:
- Samples - The entire sample volume is taken out at once.
- Mixed samples - A sample consisting of several random samples taken over a longer period of time, often over a day. The test is then called a 24-hour test or24-hour mixed test.. Other time intervals can also be used.
- Time-proportional test - One mixed sample which consists of equal samples taken at a constant time interval over a longer period, e.g. a sample every five minutes.
- Quantity proportional sample - One mixed sample consisting of random samples where the amount of sample taken is in a certain ratio to the amount of water that passes at any given time the sampling site.