The key water monitoring parameters, like flow rate, pH, nitrates, macros, etc, have been identified for water quality purposes from earlier DEP and EASI direction. Thus, accurate and precise information is the goal for the CCPaSEC quality control (QC) program. Consistent water processing and complete water information is the QC objective here. The CCPaSEC data needs to be backed by a level of confidence so as to be useful for possible studies and decision making. The procedure is to measure, analyze, and record the data for Centre County and to support the results of this data with outside lab testing.
There are several parts of the QC program:
- Understanding - to teach the various tests to the members, so people develop knowledge of the process and the analytical capabilities
- Competence - to properly follow the documented monitoring guidelines, achieving accurate and consistent results
- Documentation - to manage and record the monitoring data for future interests
The quality control checks and measures are separated into two areas. The ‘internal' checks are done by members of the CCPaSEC quality control team. Samples are obtained along-side the regular team and analyzed at the same time. All work is done in the field. The ‘external' checks involve labs and technicians outside the CCPaSEC program. A control lab performs duplicate testing in the lab on split samples from the team's field operation. Since the labs do this type of work frequently, it is assumed that the lab results are ‘more correct' when comparing final numbers. Low variation is the targeted outcome.
There are several benefits to be realized with the program. When appropriate, the team can make decisions and can take actions with confidence, based on their discovered data. Improved process discipline can result in less time to perform the field testing and in fewer repeated analyses due to questionable first-time results. Quality assurance results in a more-likely increased use of the information by others.
