M12 Simplified Procedures for Water Examination, Seventh Edition
This publication is the seventh edition and the fifth revision of the original American Water Works Association (AWWA) Manual M12, Simplified Procedures for Water Examination. The original manual, published in 1964, was revised in 1975, and a supplement on instrumental methods was added in 1978. A complete revision was done in 1997 and updated in 2002, 2014, and again in 2024. This edition includes basic quality control and disposal guidance that may be superseded by state or local regulations. The appendices were updated to include containers, preservatives, and holding times for any new methods added in this edition. When possible, each chapter follows the same outline and headings for ease of use.
Description
The original goal of the manual—to provide operators with simplified procedures for tests commonly needed for process control in drinking water production—remains the same. Monitoring plant processes through reliable, reproducible analyses enables plant operators to evaluate and optimize those processes to produce the highest possible quality drinking water.
This manual revision includes 22 new chapters, as well as four new appendices. Twenty-five other chapters have been reviewed and revised as necessary to include all new and updated methods, laboratory equipment, safety procedures, and disposal guidelines. Each method chapter follows the same basic format to maintain consistency for the reader: Purpose of Test, List of Simplified Methods, Sample Collection/Preservation, Simplified Procedure, and References.
AWWA does not intend to recommend any one manufacturer; therefore, the authors of this manual revision have attempted to provide all the various manufacturer-specific methods available at the time of writing this manual. This manual contains basic information on quantitative analysis, but beginners in the laboratory can gain helpful training from additional resources, such as short courses offered by state departments of health, AWWA sections, and chemical or equipment suppliers. Classroom instruction, demonstrations by experienced teachers, and supervised laboratory work provide valuable additions to independent reading and practice.