A5     PROBLEM DEFINITION/BACKGROUND

 

The SRA Environmental Services Division (ESD) collects surface water quality data as part of its commitment to water quality protection in the Sabine Basin.  This Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP) includes fixed sites that are sampled and analyzed using physical, chemical, bacteriological, and biological parameters to ensure high quality water for all Sabine Basin stakeholders.  SRA also conducts special investigations concerning pollution complaints.  The WQMP monitoring sites include locations that are monitored over a long period at strategic points in the Sabine Basin, primarily water bodies that serve as drinking water or process water supply sources, recreation areas, and areas that receive treated wastewater.

 

In 1991, the Texas Legislature passed the Texas Clean River Act (Senate Bill 818) in response to growing concerns that water resource issues were not being pursued in an integrated, systematic manner.  The act requires that ongoing water quality assessments be conducted for each river basin in Texas, an approach that integrates water quality issues within the watershed.  The CRP legislation mandates that “each river authority (or local governing entity) shall submit quality-assured data collected in the river basin to the commission.” “Quality-assured data” in the context of the legislation means “data that comply with commission rules for surface water quality monitoring programs, including rules governing the methods under which water samples are collected and analyzed and data from those samples are assessed and maintained.” This QAPP addresses the program developed between the SRA and the TCEQ to carry out the activities mandated by the legislation.  The QAPP was developed and will be implemented in accordance with provisions of the Quality Management Plan for the Clean Rivers Program (most recent version). 

 

The purpose of this QAPP is to clearly delineate SRA QA policy, management structure, and procedures which will be used to implement the QA requirements necessary to verify and validate the surface water quality data collected. The QAPP is reviewed by the TCEQ to help ensure that data generated for the purposes described above are scientifically valid and legally defensible.  This process will ensure that data collected under this QAPP and submitted to SWQMIS have been collected and managed in a way that guarantees its reliability and therefore can be used in water quality assessments and other programs deemed appropriate by the TCEQ.  Project results will be used to support the achievement of Clean Rivers Program objectives as contained in the Clean Rivers Program Guidance and Reference Guide FY 2010 -2011.

 

A6     PROJECT/TASK DESCRIPTION

 

SRA will conduct monitoring at routine monitoring sites to adequately characterize water quality trends and monitor progress in protecting or restoring water in the Sabine Basin.  All monitoring plans are coordinated with the TCEQ regional offices to avoid duplication of effort.  The routine monitoring sites include approximately 42 sampling sites that are monitored monthly for routine physical and chemical parameters.  Selected sites are also monitored annually for metals in water.  Additional sites may be monitored for 24-hour dissolved oxygen parameters to determine aquatic life use support.  Details of the monitoring schedule, parameters, and sampling locations are included in Appendix B.

 

Water quality data is analyzed using the data analysis program developed by SRA following guidance from the TCEQ.  The Routine and Special Study Monitoring programs are reviewed each year to consider revisions in every aspect of the programs.

 

Monitoring plans were developed by the SRA and other monitoring partners in cooperation with TCEQ staff at the annual coordinated monitoring meetings.

 

Additional sampling will include two sampling sites on Lake Cherokee to be conducted under this QAPP by City of Longview personnel to provide data from sites not covered by the SRA sampling program. 

 

See Appendix A for the project-related work plan tasks and schedule of deliverables for a description of work defined in this QAPP.  

 

See Appendix B for sampling design and monitoring pertaining to this QAPP.

 

Amendments to the QAPP

 

Revisions to the QAPP may be necessary to address incorrectly documented information or to reflect changes in project organization, tasks, schedules, objectives, and methods.  Requests for amendments will be directed from the SRA Project Manager to the CRP Project Manager electronically.  Amendments are effective immediately upon approval by the SRA Project Manager, the SRA QAO, the Laboratory, the CRP Project Manager, the CRP Lead QA Specialist, and the CRP Project QA Specialist.  They will be incorporated into the QAPP by way of attachment and distributed to personnel on the distribution list by the SRA Project Manager. 

 

Special Project Appendices

 

Projects requiring QAPP appendices will be planned in consultation with the SRA and the TCEQ Project Manager and TCEQ technical staff.  Appendices will be written in an abbreviated format and will reference the Basin QAPP where appropriate.  Appendices will be approved by the SRA Project Manager, the SRA QAO, the Laboratory, the CRP Project Manager, the CRP Project QA Specialist, the CRP Lead QA Specialist and other TCEQ personnel as appropriate.  Copies of approved QAPPs appendices will be distributed by the SRA to project participants before data collection activities commence. 

 

A7     QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA

 

The purpose of routine water quality monitoring is to collect surface water quality data needed for conducting water quality assessments in accordance with TCEQ’s Guidance for Assessing Texas Surface and Finished Drinking Water Quality Data.  These water quality data and data collected by other organizations (e.g., USGS, TCEQ, etc.), will be subsequently reconciled for use and assessed by the TCEQ.

 

Systematic watershed monitoring is defined by sampling that is planned for a short duration (1 to 2 years) and is designed to:  screen waters that would not normally be included in the routine monitoring program, monitor at sites to check the water quality situation, and investigate areas of potential concern.  Due to the limitations regarding these data (e.g., not temporally representative, limited number of samples, biological sampling does not meet the specimen vouchering requirements), the data will be used to determine whether any locations have values exceeding the TCEQ’s water quality criteria and/or screening levels (or in some cases values elevated above normal).  The SRA will use this information to determine future monitoring priorities.  These water quality data and data collected by other organizations (e.g., USGS, TCEQ, etc.), will be subsequently reconciled for use and assessed by the TCEQ.

 

The measurement performance specifications to support the project purpose for a minimum data set are specified in Table A7.1 and in the text following.

 

Table A7.1 - Measurement Performance Specifications

 

 

PARAMETER

 

UNITS

 

MATRIX

 

METHOD

 

PARAMETER CODE

 

AWRL

 

Limit of Quantitation (LOQ)

 

PRECISION

(RPD  of LCS/LCSD)

 

BIAS

%Rec. of LCS

LOQ

CHECK STANDARD

%Rec

 

LAB

Field Parameters

 

pH

 

pH/ units

 

water

 

EPA 150.1 and TCEQ SOP, V1

 

00400

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

DO

 

mg/L

 

water

 

SM 4500-O G and

TCEQ SOP, V1

 

00300

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Conductivity

 

uS/cm

 

water

 

EPA 120.1 and

TCEQ SOP, V1

 

00094

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Chlorine residual**

 

mg/L

 

water

 

SM 4500-Cl G and TCEQ SOP, V1

 

50060

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Present Weather

 

1-clear

2-partly cloudy

3-cloudy

4-rain

5-other

 

NA

 

NA

 

89966

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Salinity

 

ppt, marine only

 

water

 

SM 2520 and TCEQ SOP, V1

 

00480

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Temperature

 

°C

 

water

 

SM 2550 B and

TCEQ SOP V1

 

00010

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

TDS,calculated

mg/L

water

calculation

70294

NA

 

 

NA

NA

NA

Field

 

Secchi Depth

 

meters

 

water

 

TCEQ SOP V1

 

00078

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Days since last

significant rainfall

 

days

 

NA

 

TCEQ SOP V1

 

72053

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Maximum pool width***

 

meters

 

water

 

TCEQ SOP V2

 

89864

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Maximum pool depth***

 

meters

 

water

 

TCEQ SOP V2

 

89865

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Pool length***

 

meters

 

water

 

TCEQ SOP, V2

 

89869

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

% pool coverage***

 

%

 

water

 

TCEQ SOP V2

 

89870

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Total water depth

 

meters

 

water

 

TCEQ SOP V2

 

82903

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Flow

 

cfs

 

water

 

TCEQ SOP V1

 

00061

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Flow measurement method

 

1-gage

2-electric

3-mechanical

4-weir/flume

5-doppler

 

water

 

TCEQ SOP V1

 

89835

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Flow severity

 

 

 

 

1-no flow,

2-low,

3-normal,

4-flood,

5-high,

6-dry

 

water

 

 

 

TCEQ SOP V1

 

01351

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Wind Intensity

 

1-calm

2-slight

3-moderate

4-strong

 

water

 

 

 

NA

89965

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Water Surface

 

1-calm

2-ripples

3-waves

4- Whitecap

 

NA

 

NA

 

89968

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Tidal Stage

 

1-low

2-falling

3-slack

4-rising

5-high

 

 

NA

 

NA

 

89972

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Turbidity

 

NTU

 

water

 

SM 2130B-01

 

82079

 

.5

 

0.5

20

80-120

70-130

 

Field

 

 

PARAMETER

 

UNITS

 

MATRIX

 

METHOD

 

PARAMETER CODE

 

AWRL

 

Limit of Quantitation (LOQ)

 

PRECISION

(RPD  of LCS/LCSD)

 

BIAS

%Rec. of LCS

LOQ

CHECK STANDARD

%Rec

 

LAB

 

Conventional and Bacteriological Parameters

 

TSS

mg/L

water

SM 2540 D-97

00530

4

3

20

80-120

NA

SRA

 

Sulfate

mg/L

water

EPA 300.0, Rev. 2.1 (1993)

00945

5

5

 

20

80-120

70-130

 

SRA

 

Chloride

mg/L

water

EPA 300.0 Rev. 2.1 (1993)

00940

5

5

 

20

80-120

70-130

 

SRA

 

Chlorophyll-a,  spectrophotometric method

ug/L

water

EPA 446.0 Rev. 1.2

32211

3

3

 

20

80-120

NA

 

SRA

 

E. coli, IDEXX Colilert

MPN/100 mL

water

Colilert System /

Colilert-18

31699

1

1

 

.5****

NA

NA

 

SRA

 

Enterococcus, IDEXX Enterolert

MPN/100 mL

water

Enterolert

31701

1

1

 

0.5****

NA

NA

 

SRA

 

Ammonia-N, total

mg/L

water

EPA 350.1 Rev. 2.0 (1993)

00610

0.1

 

 

70-130

20

80-120

 

 

Nitrite-N

mg/L

water

EPA 300.0 Rev. 2.1 (1993)

00615

0.05

0.05

20

80-120

70-130

 

SRA

 

Hardness, total (as CaC03)

mg/L

water

SM 2340 C

00900

5

5

 

20

80-120

NA

 

SRA

 

Total Kjeldahl N

mg/L

water

EPA 351.2

 

00625

 

0.2

0.2

 

20

80-120

70-130

 

SRA

 

Nitrate-N, total

mg/L

water

EPA 300.0 Rev. 2.1 (1993)

00620

.05

0.05

 

20

80-120

70-130

 

SRA

 

O-phosphate-P

filter >15 min.

mg/L

water

EPA 300.0 Rev. 2.1

 

70507

.04

0.04

 

20

80-120

70-130

 

SRA

 

Total phosphorus-P

mg/L

water

EPA 365.4

00665

.06

0.06

 

20

80-120

70-130

 

SRA

 

 

Alkalinity, total

 

mg/L

 

water

SM 2320B

 

00410

 

20

20

20

NA

NA

 

SRA

 

TOC

 

mg/L

 

water

 

SM 5310 C

 

00680

 

2.0

 

1.0

NA

NA

NA

 

SRA

 

 

Metals

 

Arsenic, dis.

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4

(1998)

 

01000

 

5

 

2

 

20

 

80-120

 

70-130

 

SRA

 

Barium, dis.

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4

(1998)

01005

1000

5

20

80-120

70-130

SRA

 

 

Cadmium, dis.

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4 (1998)

 

 

 

 

 

01025

 

.1

for waters <50 mg/L hardness

________

.3

for waters $50 mg/L hardness

 

0.1

 

20

 

80-120

 

70-130

 

SRA

 

 

Chromium, dis.

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4 (1998)

 

 

01030

 

10

 

2

 

20

 

80-120

 

70-130

 

SRA

 

 

Copper, dis.

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4 (1998)

 

 

 

 

 

 

01040

 

1

for waters <50 mg/L hardness

________

3

for waters $50 mg/L hardness

 

1

 

20

 

80-120

 

70-130

 

SRA

 

 

Lead, dis.

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4 (1998)

 

 

 

 

 

 

01049

 

.1

for waters <85 mg/L hardness

________

1

for waters $85 mg/L hardness

 

0.1

 

20

 

80-120

 

70-130

 

SRA

 

 

Nickel, dis.

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4 (1998)

 

01065

 

10

 

5

 

20

 

80-120

 

70-130

 

SRA

 

 

Selenium, total

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4 (1998)

 

01147

 

2

 

1

 

20

80-120

 

70-130

 

SRA

 

 

Silver, dis.

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4 (1998)

 

01075

 

.5

 

0.1

 

20

 

80-120

 

70-130

 

SRA

 

 

Zinc, dis.

 

ug/L

 

water

 

EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4 (1998)

 

01090

 

5

 

5

 

20

 

80-120

 

70-130

 

SRA

 

 

 

 

*              Reporting to be consistent with SWQM guidance and based on measurement capability.       

**            Chlorine residual to be collected downstream of chlorinated outfalls.

***          To be routinely reported when collecting data from perennial pools.

****        Based on a range statistic as described in Standard Methods, 20th Edition, Section  9020-B, AQuality Assurance/Quality Control - Intralaboratory Quality Control Guidelines.  This criterion applies to bacteriological duplicates with concentrations >10 MPN/100mL or >10 organisms/100mL.

*****      E.coli samples analyzed by SM 9223-B should always be processed as soon as possible and within 8 hours.  When transport conditions necessitate delays in delivery longer than 6 hours, the holding time may be extended and samples must be processed as soon as possible and within 48 hours.

 

References for Table A7.1:

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) AMethods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes,@ Manual #EPA-600/4-79-020

American Public Health Association (APHA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), and Water Environment Federation (WEF), AStandard

     Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,@ 20th Edition, 1998.  (Note: The 21st edition may be cited if it becomes available.)

TCEQ SOP, V1 - TCEQ  Surface Water Quality Monitoring Procedures, Volume 1: Physical and Chemical Monitoring Methods for Water, Sediment, and Tissue, 2008 (RG-415).

TCEQ SOP, V2 - TCEQ Surface Water Quality Monitoring Procedures, Volume 2: Methods for Collecting and Analyzing Biological Community and Habitat Data, June 2007 (RG-416)

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Annual Book of Standards, Vol. 11.02

Ambient Water Reporting Limits (AWRLs)

The AWRL establishes the reporting specification at or below which data for a parameter must be reported to be compared with freshwater screening criteria.  The AWRLs specified in Table A7.1 are the program-defined reporting specifications for each analyte and yield data acceptable for the TCEQ’s water quality assessment. A full listing of AWRLs can be found at http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/crp/qa/index.html. The limit of quantitation is the minimum level, concentration, or quantity of a target variable (e.g., target analyte) that can be reported with a specified degree of confidence. The following requirements must be met in order to report results to the CRP:

 

·    The laboratory’s LOQ for each analyte must be at or below the AWRL as a matter of routine practice

 

·    The laboratory must demonstrate its ability to quantitate at its LOQ for each analyte by running an LOQ check standard for each analytical batch of CRP Samples analyzed.

 

Laboratory Measurement Quality Control Requirements and Acceptability Criteria are provided in Section B5

 

Precision

 

Precision is the degree to which a set of observations or measurements of the same property, obtained under similar conditions, conform to themselves.  It is a measure of agreement among replicate measurements of the same property, under prescribed similar conditions, and is an indication of random error. 

 

Field splits are used to assess the variability of sample handling, preservation, and storage, as well as the analytical process, and are prepared by splitting samples in the field.  Control limits for field splits are defined in Section B5.

 

Laboratory precision is assessed by comparing replicate analyses of laboratory control samples in the

sample matrix (e.g. deioinized water, sand, commercially available tissue)or sample/duplicate pairs in the case of bacterial analysis.  Precision results are compared against measurement performance specifications and used during evaluation of analytical performance.  Program-defined measurement performance specifications for precision are defined in Table A7.1.

 

Bias

 

Bias is a statistical measurement of correctness and includes multiple components of systematic error.  A measurement is considered unbiased when the value reported does not differ from the true value.  Bias is determined through the analysis of laboratory control samples and LOQ Check Standards prepared with verified and known amounts of all target analytes in the sample matrix (e.g. deioinized water, sand, commercially available tissue) and by calculating percent recovery.  Results are compared against measurement performance specifications and used during evaluation of analytical performance.  Program-defined measurement performance specifications for bias are specified in Table A7.1.

 

Representativeness

 

Site selection, the appropriate sampling regime, the sampling of all pertinent media according to TCEQ SOPs, and use of only approved analytical methods will assure that the measurement data represents the conditions at the site.  Routine data collected under the Clean Rivers Program for water quality assessment are considered to be spatially and temporally representative of routine water quality conditions. Water Quality data are collected on a routine frequency and are separated by approximately even time intervals.  At a minimum, samples are collected over at least two seasons (to include inter-seasonal variation), and over two years (to include inter-year variation), and includes some data collected during an index period (March 15- October 15).  Although data may be collected during varying regimes of weather and flow, the data sets will not be biased toward unusual conditions of flow, runoff, or season.  The goal for meeting total representation of the water body will be tempered by the potential funding for complete representativeness. 

 

Comparability

 

Confidence in the comparability of routine data sets for this project and for water quality assessments is based on the commitment of project staff to use only approved sampling and analysis methods and QA/QC protocols in accordance with quality system requirements and as described in this QAPP and in TCEQ SOPs.  Comparability is also guaranteed by reporting data in standard units, by using accepted rules for rounding figures, and by reporting data in a standard format as specified in the Data Management Plan Section B10.

 

Completeness

 

The completeness of the data is basically a relationship of how much of the data is available for use compared to the total potential data.  Ideally, 100% of the data should be available.  However, the possibility of unavailable data due to accidents, insufficient sample volume, broken or lost samples, etc. is to be expected.  Therefore, it will be a general goal of the project(s) that 90% data completion is achieved.

 

A5     PROBLEM DEFINITION/BACKGROUND

 

The SRA Environmental Services Division (ESD) collects surface water quality data as part of its commitment to water quality protection in the Sabine Basin.  This Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP) includes fixed sites that are sampled and analyzed using physical, chemical, bacteriological, and biological parameters to ensure high quality water for all Sabine Basin stakeholders.  SRA also conducts special investigations concerning pollution complaints.  The WQMP monitoring sites include locations that are monitored over a long period at strategic points in the Sabine Basin, primarily water bodies that serve as drinking water or process water supply sources, recreation areas, and areas that receive treated wastewater.

 

In 1991, the Texas Legislature passed the Texas Clean River Act (Senate Bill 818) in response to growing concerns that water resource issues were not being pursued in an integrated, systematic manner.  The act requires that ongoing water quality assessments be conducted for each river basin in Texas, an approach that integrates water quality issues within the watershed.  The CRP legislation mandates that “each river authority (or local governing entity) shall submit quality-assured data collected in the river basin to the commission.” “Quality-assured data” in the context of the legislation means “data that comply with commission rules for surface water quality monitoring programs, including rules governing the methods under which water samples are collected and analyzed and data from those samples are assessed and maintained.” This QAPP addresses the program developed between the SRA and the TCEQ to carry out the activities mandated by the legislation.  The QAPP was developed and will be implemented in accordance with provisions of the Quality Management Plan for the Clean Rivers Program (most recent version). 

 

The purpose of this QAPP is to clearly delineate SRA QA policy, management structure, and procedures which will be used to implement the QA requirements necessary to verify and validate the surface water quality data collected. The QAPP is reviewed by the TCEQ to help ensure that data generated for the purposes described above are scientifically valid and legally defensible.  This process will ensure that data collected under this QAPP and submitted to SWQMIS have been collected and managed in a way that guarantees its reliability and therefore can be used in water quality assessments and other programs deemed appropriate by the TCEQ.  Project results will be used to support the achievement of Clean Rivers Program objectives as contained in the Clean Rivers Program Guidance and Reference Guide FY 2010 -2011.

 

A6     PROJECT/TASK DESCRIPTION

 

SRA will conduct monitoring at routine monitoring sites to adequately characterize water quality trends and monitor progress in protecting or restoring water in the Sabine Basin.  All monitoring plans are coordinated with the TCEQ regional offices to avoid duplication of effort.  The routine monitoring sites include approximately 42 sampling sites that are monitored monthly for routine physical and chemical parameters.  Selected sites are also monitored annually for metals in water.  Additional sites may be monitored for 24-hour dissolved oxygen parameters to determine aquatic life use support.  Details of the monitoring schedule, parameters, and sampling locations are included in Appendix B.

 

Water quality data is analyzed using the data analysis program developed by SRA following guidance from the TCEQ.  The Routine and Special Study Monitoring programs are reviewed each year to consider revisions in every aspect of the programs.

 

Monitoring plans were developed by the SRA and other monitoring partners in cooperation with TCEQ staff at the annual coordinated monitoring meetings.

 

Additional sampling will include two sampling sites on Lake Cherokee to be conducted under this QAPP by City of Longview personnel to provide data from sites not covered by the SRA sampling program. 

 

See Appendix A for the project-related work plan tasks and schedule of deliverables for a description of work defined in this QAPP.  

 

See Appendix B for sampling design and monitoring pertaining to this QAPP.

 

Amendments to the QAPP

 

Revisions to the QAPP may be necessary to address incorrectly documented information or to reflect changes in project organization, tasks, schedules, objectives, and methods.  Requests for amendments will be directed from the SRA Project Manager to the CRP Project Manager electronically.  Amendments are effective immediately upon approval by the SRA Project Manager, the SRA QAO, the Laboratory, the CRP Project Manager, the CRP Lead QA Specialist, and the CRP Project QA Specialist.  They will be incorporated into the QAPP by way of attachment and distributed to personnel on the distribution list by the SRA Project Manager. 

 

Special Project Appendices

 

Projects requiring QAPP appendices will be planned in consultation with the SRA and the TCEQ Project Manager and TCEQ technical staff.  Appendices will be written in an abbreviated format and will reference the Basin QAPP where appropriate.  Appendices will be approved by the SRA Project Manager, the SRA QAO, the Laboratory, the CRP Project Manager, the CRP Project QA Specialist, the CRP Lead QA Specialist and other TCEQ personnel as appropriate.  Copies of approved QAPPs appendices will be distributed by the SRA to project participants before data collection activities commence. 

 

A7     QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA

 

The purpose of routine water quality monitoring is to collect surface water quality data needed for conducting water quality assessments in accordance with TCEQ’s Guidance for Assessing Texas Surface and Finished Drinking Water Quality Data.  These water quality data and data collected by other organizations (e.g., USGS, TCEQ, etc.), will be subsequently reconciled for use and assessed by the TCEQ.

 

Systematic watershed monitoring is defined by sampling that is planned for a short duration (1 to 2 years) and is designed to:  screen waters that would not normally be included in the routine monitoring program, monitor at sites to check the water quality situation, and investigate areas of potential concern.  Due to the limitations regarding these data (e.g., not temporally representative, limited number of samples, biological sampling does not meet the specimen vouchering requirements), the data will be used to determine whether any locations have values exceeding the TCEQ’s water quality criteria and/or screening levels (or in some cases values elevated above normal).  The SRA will use this information to determine future monitoring priorities.  These water quality data and data collected by other organizations (e.g., USGS, TCEQ, etc.), will be subsequently reconciled for use and assessed by the TCEQ.

 

The measurement performance specifications to support the project purpose for a minimum data set are specified in Table A7.1 and in the text following.

 

Table A7.1 - Measurement Performance Specifications

 

 

PARAMETER

 

UNITS

 

MATRIX

 

METHOD

 

PARAMETER CODE

 

AWRL

 

Limit of Quantitation (LOQ)

 

PRECISION

(RPD  of LCS/LCSD)

 

BIAS

%Rec. of LCS

LOQ

CHECK STANDARD

%Rec

 

LAB

Field Parameters

 

pH

 

pH/ units

 

water

 

EPA 150.1 and TCEQ SOP, V1

 

00400

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

DO

 

mg/L

 

water

 

SM 4500-O G and

TCEQ SOP, V1

 

00300

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Conductivity

 

uS/cm

 

water

 

EPA 120.1 and

TCEQ SOP, V1

 

00094

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Chlorine residual**

 

mg/L

 

water

 

SM 4500-Cl G and TCEQ SOP, V1

 

50060

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Present Weather

 

1-clear

2-partly cloudy

3-cloudy

4-rain

5-other

 

NA

 

NA

 

89966

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Salinity

 

ppt, marine only

 

water

 

SM 2520 and TCEQ SOP, V1

 

00480

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

 

Temperature

 

°C

 

water

 

SM 2550 B and

TCEQ SOP V1

 

00010

 

NA*

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

NA

 

Field

TDS,calculated

mg/L

water

calculation