This practice is intended for use in the sampling of surface waters and other liquids.

Dipper equipment is uncomplicated in construction, simple to use, and relatively easy to decontaminate; however, this practice will not provide accurate results with multiphase liquids.

This practice is to be used by personnel acquiring samples.

The dipper is best used to take a surface sample of liquid. No attempt should be made to take subsurface samples with a dipper because mixing and dilution will occur as the dipper is brought to the surface. Subsurface layers must be sampled using a device that can be closed prior to bringing it to the surface (for example, a COLIWASA, tube sampler, or bottle sampler).

The dipper is not appropriate for sampling multiphase liquids if quantitative characterization is needed.

When volatile organic analysis (VOA) will be performed, samples obtained with a dipper should be poured into an appropriate container (VOA vial) with minimal air contact and agitation.

This practice should be used in conjunction with Guide D 4687, which covers sampling plans, safety, Quality Assurance (QA), preservation, decontamination, labeling, and chain-of-custody procedures, also Practice D 5088, which covers decontamination of field equipment used at waste sites. Other documents pertinent to this practice are EPA-600/2-80-018 and EPA-600/4-84-076.