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MDE’s Technical and Regulatory Services Administration (TARSA) is consolidating its extensive water quality monitoring data into a single database. This will help to dramatically improve the ability of users to access and share environmental information and will allow TARSA to end its dependence on decentralized databases. Decentralization currently limits TARSA’s ability to share information both within and outside the administration.
National Repository
The so called STOrage and RETrieval or STORET system is a national repository for water quality, biological and physical data. This system dates back to EPA’s reliance on mainframe computers. The initial version of STORET was quite cumbersome and a challenge for users. In advance of Y2K (Year 2000 Compliance), EPA revamped the system to allow for local applications, including those run on individual personal computers, to be uploaded to the national system. STORET is currently being used by many states, tribes, local municipalities, educational institutions and private/volunteer organizations for data management purposes.
In 2003, MDE established the system on its network and began the process of centralizing its surface water quality data. Currently, MDE periodically uploads all approved data to the EPA STORET system, thus making it accessible to the public. This includes MDE’s data as well as data submitted by external users. Although individual STORET users can submit data directly to EPA, submission through MDE is highly encouraged as it allows local data to be made immediately available for analysis.
“Having our ambient water quality data in a consistent format in one location facilitates better water quality assessments and the development of Total Daily Maximum Loads (TMDLs) that serve as guides for addressing Maryland’s impaired waters,” said Dr. Richard Eskin, TARSA Director. “Additionally, STORET allows the department to make its environmental information readily available to the public.”
Data Sharing and Quality Assurance Procedures
TARSA’s Data Management Division is responsible for evaluating, controlling and managing environmental data associated with Maryland’s surface waters. Data maintained by TARSA includes information associated with:
- Shellfish harvesting
- Hart-Miller Island assessment monitoring
- Beaches bacteriological assessment
- Fish and shellfish tissue monitoring
- TMDL development
- Impaired waters listing
- Other general or special water quality studies
TARSA also maintains data from external organizations, which include other state agencies, local subdivisions and private or volunteer groups. Prior to releasing this data, sampling methods and testing facilities used by these organizations are thoroughly documented. Additionally, the Division has developed business policies and procedures for data management, verification, and validation. Since data received by TARSA comes from different sources, subjecting it to a consistent set of quality assurance procedures ensures that STORET information meets accepted criteria.
The value of Volunteers
Volunteer groups such as the Port Tobacco River Conservancy, the Talbot County Creek Watchers and the Corsica River Conservancy provide valid and valuable information to MDE. Their volunteer manpower focuses on a relatively small area of local interest and performs sampling multiple times during a year at the same locations. Data submitted to MDE by such groups have already been used to add water bodies to the federally mandated draft of 2006 Listing of Impaired Waters (“Section 303d” list). “MDE feels that implementation of STORET will improve MDE’s business processes and provide a vehicle by which collected data can be made widely available,” added Dr. Eskin.
Data sharing is not only necessary for meeting MDE responsibilities, but is also valuable for all monitoring groups. Thus, through working with the Maryland Water Monitoring Council Data Management Committee, MDE is encouraging other organizations to submit their environmental data into this single database system.
Contact Information
To obtain a document describing the STORET-compliant data requirements, or to submit your monitoring data, please email Carlton Washburn at:
Carlton.Washburn@maryland.gov.
For more information about the EPA’s STORET site, visit
www.epa.gov/storet.
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