EN ISO 5667-6:2016 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 5667-6:2016 (ISO 5667-6:2014) provides guidance for the design and execution of water sampling programmes for rivers and streams. The standard focuses on sampling techniques and the handling of water samples intended for physical and chemical assessment. It has been adopted by CEN as EN ISO 5667-6:2016 (text of ISO 5667-6:2014) and is part of the ISO 5667 series on water quality sampling.

Scope highlights

• Principles for design of sampling programmes, choice of sampling locations, sampling frequency and timing.
• Guidance on sampling methods, equipment, field procedures, sample preservation, transport and storage.
• Quality assurance, reporting, safety and traceability of samples.

Not applicable to: estuarine or coastal waters, microbiological sampling (see ISO 19458), sediment/suspended solids/biota, dammed or standing water bodies (see ISO 5667-4), or passive sampling techniques (see ISO 5667‑23).

Key topics and requirements

• Sampling programme design: objectives, representative sampling, and planning to capture spatial and temporal variability.
• Sampling locations & frequency: selection of sampling points (bridge, bank, in-stream, craft), and consideration of mixing distances.
• Sampling methods: single/discrete samples, depth-specific sampling, increment and composite sampling, surface-film and LNAPL sampling techniques.
• Equipment & devices: manual samplers, depth samplers, automatic samplers and procedures for rinsing/handling to avoid contamination.
• Sample handling: field stabilization, addition of preservatives, cold chain transport, labelling, chain of custody and storage.
• Quality assurance: contamination avoidance, documentation, calibration/verification of equipment and sampling records.
• Safety: site risk assessment and safe working practices (e.g., sampling from bridges, ice conditions).

Practical applications

EN ISO 5667-6 is used for:

• Regulatory river monitoring and compliance testing.
• Environmental impact assessments and freshwater pollution studies.
• Baseline monitoring and trend analysis for chemical water quality.
• Design of field sampling protocols and training of sampling personnel.
• Supporting laboratory accreditation and defensible environmental reporting.

Who should use this standard

• Environmental regulators and water authorities
• Accredited laboratories and QA managers
• Environmental consultants and field technicians
• Researchers conducting riverine water quality studies
• Organizations preparing monitoring programmes or permitting submissions

Related standards

• ISO 5667-1 (general sampling guidance)
• ISO 5667-4 (sampling of standing waters)
• ISO 5667-23 (passive sampling of surface waters)
• ISO 19458 (microbiological sampling of water)

Using EN ISO 5667-6 helps ensure representative, reproducible river and stream water samples, reduce analytical uncertainty, and support compliance with national and international water quality programs.