Staff discuss data quality screening, QA/QAPPs and options for citizen-submitted data

Participants raised technical questions about data quality in the datasets used for assessments and how citizen-collected or third-party data are handled. Paul Padore, a commenter, asked whether missing reporting limits, method detection limits or analytical-method metadata in the WQX federal data exchange had been updated and how staff qualified values that were reported as detected but below reporting limits.

Jacob (staff member) said the board ‘‘has an automated tool for review and data quality that looks like the QA codes’’ and that the method detection limit or method field is not always required to evaluate some quality-screening steps. He added that staff work with QA experts and that the program is assembling or tracking Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) for datasets in the federal WQX database.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, a headquarters staff member, said the Water Boards run a citizen-monitoring program and offered to follow up by connecting the participant with the citizen-monitoring coordinator. Staff encouraged participants who wish their data to be considered in a future listing cycle to submit data through the program’s data solicitation process and to include QAPPs or equivalent quality documentation where available.

Staff reiterated that the Integrated Report’s administrative record will be updated only with data received before the posted data cutoff and that commenters seeking a formal response must submit written comment letters or speak at the public hearing so the comment is part of the administrative record.