ASTM Committee D-34 on Waste Disposal has two subcommittees that are concerned with ground-water sampling: D34-02-08 on Groundwater Analysis and D34-01-01 on Environmental Monitoring and Sampling. Subcommittee D34-02-08 has been reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Proposed SW 846 Method 8600 for screening ground water for Appendix VIII compounds. Subcommittee D34-01-01 has prepared Guides for Sampling Ground Water Monitoring Wells and Pore Water Sampling in the Vadose Zone. The ground-water guide discusses flushing requirements, well sampling devices, and sample container and preservation requirements. The author presents some of the guide's discussion concerning the advantages and disadvantages of sampling procedures and devices and offers some recommendations based on his own experience. Flushing 5 to 10 well volumes or until some parameter, such as pH or conductivity is stabilized, is recommended. Bailers, bladder pumps, or gas driven piston pumps are recommended, and the importance of preplanning sampling operations is emphasized.