Interagency Methods and Data Comparability Board
Project Number: 9KM43
Project Chief: Daniel J. Sullivan
Project Topics: methods, water quality
Cooperators: U.S. Geological Survey; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Period of Project: April 1998–Continuing
Website: Methods Board
Problem
Significant resources are spent to monitor water quality in the United States. The methods used to collect water samples and to analyze the samples collected vary between the collecting authority. The data obtained using the various methods may not be comparable and therefore monitoring entities may collect duplicate data.
Objectives
The Methods and Data Comparability Board (Board) is a nationwide partnership of water-monitoring authorities from Federal and State agencies, municipalities, business and industry, academia, and others with expertise in environmental monitoring. The Board has been assembled to coordinate and provide recommendations for the implementation of a voluntary, integrated, nationwide water-quality monitoring strategy.
Approach
The Board meets for regular teleconferences and periodic face to face meetings to discuss the progress and plans of work groups formed to develop consensus positions regarding issues related to sampling and analytical approaches. Workgroups within the Methods Board have addressed a wide variety of issues that face the monitoring community. These workgroups are fluid and membership and topics are based on currently defined needs and member interests.
Progress
The Board leadership consists of co-chairs from USGS and EPA and an executive secretary from the USGS. The Board Web site (http://acwi.gov/methods/) contains work plans, minutes of meetings and conference calls, and publications and other products of the Board as well as contact information to guide persons interested in participating in Board activities.
Publications and Reports
See all Methods Board Publications >
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