title: Statistical determination of the optimal sample size of secondary effluent BOD5 and SS.
abstract: A statistical technique is presented for determining the optimal sample size required to estimate the true geometric mean with an allowable error at a desired level of confidence. Attention is focused on its application in the monitoring of secondary effluent BOD5 and SS. It is concluded that continuous monitoring of effluent BOD5 or SS throughout the year may generate much more data than are required for practical purposes. This statistical method may be used by operators or regulatory agencies to formulate cost-effective monitoring schemes. Records of the sample size data of secondary effluent BOD5 and SS across Canada are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Environment Canada, Environmental Protection Service, 804, 9942-108 Street, T5K 2J5, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Tsai