1.1 This guide covers how direct (straight) rotary-drilling procedures with water-based drilling fluids may be used for geoenvironmental exploration and installation of subsurface water-quality monitoring devices.

Note 1--The term direct with respect to the rotary-drilling method of this guide indicates that a water-based drilling fluid is pumped through a drill-rod column to a rotating bit. The drilling fluid transports cuttings to the surface through the annulus between the drill-rod column and the borehole wall.

Note 2--This guide does not include considerations for geotechnical site characterization that are addressed in a separate guide.

1.2 Direct-rotary drilling for geoenvironmental exploration and monitoring-device installations will often involve safety planning, administration and documentation. This standard does not purport to specifically address exploration and site safety.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word "Standard" in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.