Developing Sampling Plans for the Verification of the Effectiveness of Technical Measures: An Erosion and Sediment Control Case Study to Protect Water Quality.

We demonstrate the use of acceptance sampling by attribute to verify that technical measures implemented at construction worksites meet the requirements of environmental regulations, standards and codes of practice. In contrast to environmental monitoring of broader spatial and temporal effects, acceptance sampling plans are used to verify the effectiveness of such measures at the time of the verification during construction activities. Applying power statistics used in acceptance sampling, Type II Error (β) is considered as the environment's risk to achieving environmental protection policies while Type I Error (α) is considered as the proponent's risk for the person having to implement such measures. Using a case study, we demonstrate the development of acceptance sampling plans by attribute for erosion and sediment control. Working from a hypothetical policy for the environment's risk and the proponent's risk, we also underline the importance of sample sizes to make the correct decisions when verifying if technical measures are functioning as intended based on a policy for acceptable levels of non-conformity. The report provides an overview of the probability mathematics used in acceptance sampling plans that include the calculation of the acceptance number as a decision rule for a given sample size and the calculations of the environment's risk and the proponent's risk.