GOOD SCIENCE in the field is as important as GOOD SCIENCE in the lab. NLS has been providing groundwater monitoring services since the beginning of Wisconsin's program requirements for landfills and lagoons in the early 1980's. We developed many of the field methods that were later included in Wisconsin's Groundwater Sampling Procedures Guidelines and refined them into precise, efficient practices that have yielded dependable, legally defensible results quarter after quarter and year after year for over 40 long-term clients.
What qualifies the NLS groundwater monitoring program as GOOD SCIENCE?
NLS field crews are experienced scientists and technicians who understand the importance of detailed procedures and complete, accurate documentation. Since field conditions are seldom as clean or stable as those found in the lab, considerable planning and preparation precede each NLS site trip to maximize efficiency and minimize the time required on the site
Field testing activities are conducted in one of our clean mobile labs specifically designed and set up for these activities. Purging is accomplished using methods that minimize trauma to the water column. Field meters for conductivity and pH are regularly calibrated during each sampling day.
Samples for metals and other inorganic parameters that are subject to change by immediate oxidation or well sediments are field filtered in-line prior to atmospheric contact, then immediately preserved and placed on ice. (NLS is also equipped to collect non-filtered samples using the slow purge technique., but the dependability of this method is still questionable.)
Field QC is important. Field blanks (equipment checks) are regularly scheduled to check for trace cross-contamination between wells. This not only monitors the efficacy of rinse procedure, but it also serves as a second check of our rinse and blank water and of our bottles and preservatives, all of which were of known quality before leaving the lab, but are subjected to field conditions before use. Duplicates are regularly collected and analyzed to document repeatability in the entire sampling and analytical effort. Trip blanks accompany all empty and filled VOC vials to identify contamination that might have occurred during the field collection activities or transport.
Everything we use or do in the field is regularly checked and documented: field instruments, bailers or other purging equipment, filters, filter train, water, bottles, preservatives. All materials that contact the sample during purging, collection, filtering, and preservation have been identified and checked for compatibility with the specific tests to be run on the samples. This equipment is then thoroughly rinsed between wells with NLS purified lab water.
Documentation, paperwork, and computerization are organized and functional; all information is complete, easily readable, and retrievable. Data delivery choices include TAD's on diskette, hard copy, e-mail, by password-protected download from our database, or data may be client-reviewed and downloaded from our password protected web page.
GOOD SCIENCE every step of the way means we don't lose sleep the night before the hearing. More importantly, neither do our clients!
Client services can be reached by calling 715-478-2777, or send an email to the following contacts:
Services 
