North Coast - NSW Waterwatch

Quality Control

Water Bug Sampling data quality description: Data quality assurance methods: dataownercurated, systemsupported, subjectexpertverification Data quality assurance description: Data collectors are trained in methodology by professional coordinators. Data is collected using supplied kits. Measuring devices are calibrated and collectors are trained in the calibration process. Community collectors enter data into the database and records are embargoed until checked by their local coordinator. Once checked, data is released to the public domain and made available for aggregation and subsequent analysis. Water Quality Monitoring data quality description: Data quality assurance methods: dataownercurated, systemsupported, subjectexpertverification Data quality assurance description: Community members are trained in methods by professional Waterwatch coordinators, with regular retraining and upskilling opportunities provided. Records are verified by the coordinators. The database provides controlled data type protocols to ensure appropriate standards-based formats are applied to stored data, as well as controlled vocabularies, mandatory obligations on specific fields, range constraint parametisation where appropriate, pre-defined site selection for consistent site naming and geo-referencing, etc. Calculated values are dynamically calculated in-form by the database at the time of recording and stored as calculated values.

Method steps

1. Water Bug Sampling method: systematic Water quality - Macroinvertebrate survey - SIGNAL2 method Water Quality Monitoring method: systematic Water quality - Standardised physical/chemical attribute measurements https://www.nswwaterwatch.org.au/resources/waterwatch-manuals