ABSTRACT
When anyone working in the environmental fields-environmental scientists, biologists, technical specialists, and water/wastewater operators-is planning a study that involves sampling, it is important, before initiating the study, to determine the objects of sampling. One important consideration is to determine whether sampling will be accomplished at a single point or at isolated points. Additionally, frequency of sampling must be determined; that is, will sampling be accomplished at hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or at even longer intervals? Whatever sampling frequency is chosen, the entire process will probably continue over a protracted period. When a wastewater operator performs sampling, the decision-making considerations mentioned have already been addressed; it has already been determined where the samples are to be taken and the frequency of sampling, and the sampling will definitely continue over a protracted period-for as long as the wastestream continues to flow and the treatment process is continued.
