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Waterwatch Victoria QA/QC Week 2006

Waterwatch Victoria QA/QC Week 2006. What is QA/QC Week?. Mystery samples (2 ranges) for pH, EC, turbidity and orthophosphates and macroinvertebrates (6 families) are prepared and distributed to each region.

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Waterwatch Victoria QA/QC Week 2006

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  1. Waterwatch Victoria QA/QC Week 2006

  2. What is QA/QC Week? • Mystery samples (2 ranges) for pH, EC, turbidity and orthophosphates and macroinvertebrates (6 families) are prepared and distributed to each region • Monitors can test their techniques and instrument accuracy against these known standards • Datasheets must be returned to Sara no later than Friday June 16th to be included in final report (published and distributed early July).

  3. Why have a QA/QC Week? A key opportunity for regional Waterwatch programs to: • Encourage ‘best practice’ monitoring • Test and review monitoring proficiencies of Waterwatchers • Review training and equipment needs in the region • Promote the monitoring strengths of the program to stakeholders

  4. Why have a QA/QC Week? A key opportunity for the state Waterwatch program to: • Undertake M&E of the Watewatch program’s monitoring activities • Review state performance. Compare results with previous year’s results, noting improvements, problems and/or trends. • Review statewide training needs and educational resources • Promote the program’s monitoring improvements and achievements.

  5. Who should be involved? • ALL Waterwatch Coordinators • Waterwatch monitors (PARTICULARLY Standard 3/4 monitors) • Standard 1/2 monitors IF a similar opportunity isn’t available at a regional level, and they want the challenge/opportunity

  6. What have we learned from past QA/QC weeks? • Instrument calibration and maintenance essential • The importance of comparing results with equipment of similar range/resolution/accuracy • The importance of testing samples MOST REPRESENTATIVE of field conditions • Importance of recording correct ortho-P units (PO4-P, not PO4) and using clean glassware • Standard dilution method important (EC, ortho-P)

  7. Improvements 1999-2003

  8. Plan for QA/QC Week Tolerance limits will stay the same as previous years: pH: ± 0.3 pH units (meters) and 0.5 pH units (strips) EC: ± 10% (10 and 100EC resolutions expected for Samples 1 and 2 respectively) Turbidity: ± 20% (tubes – indicating range, or rounding up or down to nearest increment) Ortho-P: ± 20% (rounding up or down to nearest increment; range also expected of colorimeter calibration curves)

  9. Plan for QA/QC Week • Please store samples in a dark, cool location prior to measurement (take home in an esky where possible). • Allow samples to warm to room temperature prior to use • Ensure samples are well mixed (invert several times).

  10. Considerations for 2006 Please return a minimum of one datasheet per set of samples • 2005 Phys/chem datasheet return rate - • Statewide = 125% but highly variable amongst regions 75% - 180% • 2005 Macro datasheet return rate - • Statewide = 87.5% but highly variable amongst regions 0% - 220% Mystery samples aren’t cheap - please make the most of this investment

  11. Considerations for 2006 • All datasheets must have the monitor’s Data Standard (1-4) and a unique QA/QC code noted • Results will analysed by Standard, and reported against these codes in the final report. • Please record data legibly and in English. Keeping a copy of datasheet results on your end will help if I can’t read a faxed copy clearly. • Colorimeter calibration curves – acid wash glassware, start with smallest conc and test upwards, check all sets of glassware available/used, clean vials thoroughly between uses.

  12. Considerations for 2006 Please record this extra info on 2006 datasheets: Phys-chem Macroinvertebrates • Whether or not instruments are calibrated before use, and what cal std was used (eg 1413µS/cm) • How many years experience the IDer has • What resources/keys were used • Year equipment was purchased • Problems with macro specimen (if any) • Dilution factors (if used)

  13. QA/QC week reflection • QA/QC week is only a positive reflection of your program if you haven’t done anything different in the lead up to the mystery sample testing day - calibration, maintenance, training, etc. • QA/QC week should be viewed as part of a regional QA program and part of your DC Plan, not the only indicator of quality assurance. • Other parameters can be assessed regionally - nitrate, hardness, DO, temp.

  14. Key dates and resources QA/QC Week – June 5 – 11 Datasheets to Sara by - COB June 16 Final report due - July 7th Regional summaries – fortnight thereafter All supporting information available on the Staff page of the website Science Support -> QA/QC Week Resources

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