Data Integrity Workgroup (formerly AMQAW)
Scope and Purpose
The workgroup members are technical advisors to the monitoring and modeling workgroups of the Scientific, Technical Analysis and Reporting Team concerning field and analytical methodology and quality assurance issues related to collection, processing and assessment of water quality data. The workgroup provides a forum for exchange of technical information focused on the standardization of methods/use of comparable methods throughout the Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Program. Members of the workgroup participate in the Coordinated Split Sample, Blind Audit and Reference Sample Programs and use this information to evaluate the quality of the monitoring data and to identify areas that require further study.
Mission Statement
To provide professional direction and guidance on field and laboratory methods and QA/QC, resulting in accurate and comparable Chesapeake Bay and tributary water quality monitoring data.
Objective
- Implement the Coordinated Split Sample program to assess water quality data comparability.
- Participate in blind audit and reference sample programs to demonstrate data accuracy; Investigate potential analytical issues; Determine corrective actions to resolve data discrepancies; Improve efficiency of data collection and reporting procedures; Perform method comparability studies.
- Explore new technologies for water quality analyses; Standardize field and laboratory techniques among agencies; Prepare reports on the quality of nutrient, chlorophyll and sediment data.
- Evaluate the use of non-traditional partner monitoring data, including quality assurance of field and lab methods.
Publications
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May 01, 2017
Chesapeake Bay Program Methods and Quality Assurance for Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Monitoring Programs
The purpose of this document is to provide field and laboratory methods and associated quality control requirements for use in Chesapeake Bay water quality monitoring programs, which will result in the generation of known...
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Data Analysis Issues Tracking System (DAITS)
As the Chesapeake Bay Program Mainstem Monitoring Program reached its fifth
anniversary, EPA initiated a systematic review of the program design and implementation.
In the process of this review, numerous questions were... -
July 25, 1989
Split Sample Water Quality Results from Laboratories Participating in the Chesapeake Bay Program: 1985-1989.
The Monitoring Subcommittee of the Chesapeake Bay Program decided to implement a Chesapeake Bay Coordinated Split Sample Program, using field split samples, that was to begin in May or June 1989. As part of the planning...