Terraphase was contracted by a utility district to perform lead testing in drinking water for schools within its service area. Terraphase was also contracted to perform sampling for its groundwater monitoring well network that is used to supplement the drinking water supply in times of drought. The goal was to collect water quality data, deliver water samples to the analytical laboratory, and manage data for reporting purposes.
Scope of Services
Terraphase designed a custom mobile app and automated messaging system to streamline water outlet preparation for all schools. Facility managers and building engineers received instructions and outlet-specific checklists the day before testing via the automated messaging system. Water samples were collected in early morning hours to prevent disruptions to school operations and sent to the analytical laboratory for analysis the same day. Terraphase staff collected defensible, reliable data from first-draw water per United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 3Ts recommendations. Our team also designed a custom Sharepoint portal that allowed the utility district to view sampling status and results for all schools within its service area.
As part of the groundwater sampling program, Terraphase conducted field reconnaissance to evaluate accessibility to each monitoring well and assess the condition of dedicated submersible pumps, where applicable. Field staff measured and recorded static water levels, purged the wells, and monitored water quality parameters in the field. Groundwater samples were collected in laboratory-supplied containers and delivered to the client’s in-house analytical laboratory. Terraphase also coordinated the pickup and proper handling of purge water stored in drums.
Notable Accomplishments
- Collected over 7,500 drinking water samples at more than 500 schools
- Developed and submitted a groundwater sampling protocol to client staff for review prior to fieldwork
- Conducted per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sampling at two of the groundwater monitoring wells
