How often should monitoring wells be sampled?

Monitoring wells should be sampled quarterly to ensure that groundwater quality is adequately assessed and any potential contaminants are detected in a timely manner. This frequency strikes a balance between effective monitoring and resource management, allowing sufficient data collection to track trends over time without incurring excessive costs or labor associated with more frequent sampling.

Sampling quarterly enables timely response actions, should any contaminants be detected, and helps in maintaining compliance with regulatory standards that often mandate consistent monitoring of groundwater for environmental safety. Additionally, this periodic assessment allows for the evaluation of changes in water quality that could be indicative of contamination or other environmental issues. Overall, quarterly sampling is a commonly accepted practice in environmental monitoring, aligning with both regulatory expectations and practical considerations in managing heating oil tanks and their potential impacts on surrounding environments.