| Req ID | Category | Intent | Legal Status | Name | Subdomain(s) | Context | Conditions | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #Q001 | operational | operational | mandatory | Quality Assurance Procedures | other | It means that appropriate equipment must be used, standard procedures must be followed, and any deviations must be recorded and explained. | During quality assurance execution | high |
| #Q002 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Quality Control Documentation | other | Its measures must be defined and then included in the write-up of sampling procedures and subsequent calculations. | When documenting quality control | high |
| #Q003 | design | operational | mandatory | Station Accessibility and Safety | other | All automated water-quality sampling stations must be accessible, safe, and have a minimal chance of being damaged or destroyed by natural forces. | When establishing a site location | high |
| #Q004 | design | operational | mandatory | Stream Morphology - Pool Requirement | other | There must be a pool of water removed from riffle areas, in which the sensor can be deployed, e.g. Figure C-4. | When assessing stream morphology and flow | high |
| #Q005 | design | operational | mandatory | Stream Morphology - Straight Stretch | other | A straight stretch of stream above and below the sampling location is required to minimize the cross-sectional variability. | When assessing stream morphology and flow | high |
| #Q006 | design | operational | mandatory | Stream Morphology - No Tributaries | other | There must be no tributaries in the general vicinity of the sampling site that could affect uniform flow and increase cross-sectional variability. | When assessing stream morphology and flow | high |
| #Q007 | design | operational | mandatory | Stream Morphology - Single Channel | other | There must be one stream channel along which all of the flow passes. | When assessing stream morphology and flow | high |
| #Q008 | design | operational | mandatory | Stream Morphology - Minimal Erosion | other | There must be minimal signs of erosion and deposition in the stream at the sampling site. | When assessing stream morphology and flow | high |
| #Q009 | design | operational | mandatory | Stream Morphology - Stable Banks | other | Stable banks are required to accommodate periods of high water. There must be no signs of high-water debris damage at the level of the sampling equipment. | When assessing stream morphology and flow | high |
| #Q010 | operational | operational | mandatory | Manufacturer Recommended Standard Solutions | other | It is critical that the calibration standard solutions used are only those recommended by the manufacturer / supplier. If other solutions are used, the accuracy cannot be assured and no data grade can be assigned. | When calibrating sensors | high |
| #Q011 | design | operational | mandatory | Unique SDI-12 Addresses | other | It is important that no two sensors have the same address, because like the party line scenario, multiple sensors would respond and the master unit would not be able to differentiate among them. | When using SDI-12 format to communicate from multiple digital sensors to an external data logger | high |
| #Q012 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Recording Sensor Configuration | other | The sensor parameter, sensor and data source at each sampling location must be recorded on RISC CWQ - 01. Station Design Part 2: Data Source, Sensors, and Sensor Parameters. | When designing a station and setting up equipment | high |
| #Q013 | prohibition | operational | recommended | Direct Connection of Auxiliary Power Prohibition | other | Residential (110V) and solar power sources can be used as auxiliary power to the primary battery, for recharge purposes, but should not be connected directly to an instrument because voltage spikes can occur and cause the entire system to fail. | When using auxiliary power sources | high |
| #Q014 | design | operational | mandatory | Cable Connectors and Weatherproof Enclosure | other | If power is supplied through a separate cable, the appropriate connectors must be used, and the connections must be in a weatherproof enclosure (minimum IP - 56 / NEMA 4 rated) located well above the high water level. | If power is supplied through a separate cable | high |
| #Q015 | design | operational | mandatory | Sensor Protection in Stream | other | The sensors are in the stream and must be protected from moving debris (e.g. Figure C-10), sediment, and inquisitive aquatic or terrestrial animals, including humans. Therefore the sensors are housed in PVC or metal deployment tubes and attached to a flexible cable. | During in-situ deployment | high |
| #Q016 | design | operational | mandatory | Weatherproof Protection for Data Loggers | other | If the sensors are attached to a data logger and / or have an external power source, they must be contained within a walk-in shelter (Figure C-2) or secured in a weatherproof box (Figure C-3). | When deployed using fixed vertical deployment and attached to a data logger or external power source | high |
| #Q017 | design | operational | mandatory | Retractable Boom Sensor Weighting | other | Because the sensor is oriented with the stream flow it is subject to hydroplaning at high velocities; therefore, the sensor must be appropriately weighted | When using a retractable boom for deployment | high |
| #Q018 | operational | operational | mandatory | Flow-Through Sampler Calibration | other | The samplers must be calibrated so that measurements in the sampling chamber and stream are correlated. | When using flow-through deployment | high |
| #Q019 | design | operational | mandatory | Flow-Through Intake Pipe Design | other | The opening of the intake pipe must have a large diameter (and thus surface area) and be covered with a mesh. | When using flow-through deployment | high |
| #Q020 | design | operational | mandatory | Flow-Through Design in Freezing Conditions | other | If the samplers are located where freezing conditions may occur, intake hoses should be submerged or buried, the sampling chamber should not contain metal components, and the sampling chamber must be insulated. | When flow-through samplers are located where freezing conditions may occur | high |
| #Q021 | prohibition | unknown | guidance | Flow-Through Use Prohibition | other | Because of the location of intake pipes and the possibility of mixing in intake pipes, side-stream samplers are not appropriate for dissolved oxygen or temperature measurements. | When measuring dissolved oxygen or temperature | high |
| #Q022 | operational | operational | recommended | Field Visit Frequency | other | New sites should be visited every two to three weeks or, at least, more often than once per month. | For new sites | high |
| #Q023 | operational | operational | mandatory | Pre-Cleaning Data Acquisition | other | If the sonde is disturbed before the pre-cleaning data are obtained, fouling material may be dislodged from the sensors or added from the guard to the sensors. Therefore, the pre-cleaning data must be obtained with the sensor in stream water and on-site. | When obtaining pre-cleaning data | high |
| #Q024 | operational | operational | mandatory | Cleaning and Calibration Environment | other | The sonde and sensors must be carefully and thoroughly cleaned, and the sensors must be calibrated in conditions where the equipment and calibration standards are at a constant temperature, out of sunlight. | When cleaning and calibrating sonde and sensors | high |
| #Q025 | operational | operational | mandatory | Post-Cleaning Readings | other | After the sonde and sensors of the deployed sonde are cleaned, but before the sensors are calibrated, post-cleaning readings in stream water are required. This is done in the stable environment mentioned above. | After cleaning and before calibration | high |
| #Q026 | operational | operational | mandatory | Use Stream Water for Post-Cleaning | other | To reduce sources of error, stream water must be used for the post-cleaning measurements. This means that stream water must be brought to the stable environment. | During post-cleaning readings | high |
| #Q027 | operational | operational | mandatory | Portable Sonde Specifications Match | other | The sensors of the deployed and portable sondes must have the same accuracy, resolution, and range. Or at least the accuracy must be equal to or better than the accuracy of the highest data grade. | When selecting portable sondes | high |
| #Q028 | operational | operational | mandatory | Portable Sonde Cleaning Routine | other | The portable sonde must be cleaned and calibrated before each field visit. | Before each field visit | high |
| #Q029 | operational | operational | mandatory | Data Logger Time Check | other | The operator must remember to check the time on the data logger with his/her watch and record this on the RISC CWQ - 02 form. | Upon arriving at the field site | high |
| #Q030 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Record Pre-Cleaning Data | other | Record the values of the parameters for both the deployed (D1) and portable sondes (P1) in RISC CWQ - 04. Field and Laboratory Data Part 1: The pre-cleaning, post-cleaning, and re-deployment data. | When obtaining pre-cleaning data in situ | high |
| #Q031 | operational | operational | mandatory | Protect Electronic Connections | other | Remember to put the cap on the sonde to protect the electronic connections (Figure D-6). | When preparing the sondes for transport | high |
| #Q032 | operational | operational | mandatory | Sonde Handling | other | Handle the instrument very carefully, particularly when the guard is removed. If the sonde is dropped and knocked against anything (e.g. the bench), the sensors could be damaged. | When cleaning the sondes and sensors | high |
| #Q033 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Pipe Cleaner Prohibition | other | Do not use a pipe cleaner because it has a wire tip that could damage the sensor. | When cleaning the chambers on the conductivity probe | high |
| #Q034 | operational | operational | mandatory | Maintenance Timing | other | The sensor maintenance should be completed AFTER the calibration drift data (C1) are added to RISC CWQ - 04. Field and Laboratory Data Part 3 , but before the final calibration values (C2) are obtained. | During inspection of deployed sonde and sensors | high |
| #Q035 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Record Standard Calibration Solutions | other | Standard calibration solutions must be used and recorded on RISC CWQ - 04. Field and Laboratory Data Part 2 : Sources of standard calibration solutions and the calibration data for the deployed sonde. | When utilizing calibration standards | high |
| #Q036 | corrective_action | operational | mandatory | Temperature Probe Replacement | other | If the temperature probe (C1) is not the same as C2, it is not giving the correct temperature and will have to be replaced. If the temperature probe must be replaced, do so before continuing with the calibrations. | If the temperature probe gives an incorrect temperature reading | high |
| #Q037 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Drying Conductivity Probe | other | Dry with a kimwipe or hairdryer. Do not use tissues. | When drying the conductivity probe before calibration | high |
| #Q038 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Turbidity Calibration Cups Specification | other | Use the calibration cup provided by the manufacturer. Do not use white or opaque cups as reflection from light-coloured surfaces can cause incorrect high readings in low NTU water. | During turbidity calibration | high |
| #Q039 | operational | operational | mandatory | Turbidity Solution Pouring Speed | other | Add solutions to the calibration cup very slowly so that there are no bubbles . | When adding solutions to the calibration cup for turbidity | high |
| #Q040 | operational | operational | mandatory | Turbidity Wiper Parking | other | If the probe has a turbidity wiper, ensure that the wiper is parking properly . | When calibrating turbidity probe with a wiper | high |
| #Q041 | operational | operational | mandatory | DO Re-calibration for Barometric Pressure | other | If % dissolved oxygen is recorded the sensor must be re-calibrated for barometric pressure in the field. | If % dissolved oxygen is recorded | high |
| #Q042 | corrective_action | operational | mandatory | DO Membrane Replacement | other | If the dissolved oxygen membrane is damaged it must be replaced . | If the dissolved oxygen membrane is damaged | high |
| #Q043 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Validation Results Summary | other | The results of the five validation steps must be summarized in Appendix 4. | When completing the validation report | high |
| #Q044 | prohibition | reporting | mandatory | Unreasonable Data Withholding | other | Flagged data that are confirmed by the operator as unreasonable should not be released . | When releasing data | high |
| #Q045 | operational | operational | mandatory | Conductivity Probe Immersion | other | The vent hole on the conductivity probe and the temperature probe must be immersed. | When adding the conductivity standard to the calibration cup | high |
| #Q046 | operational | operational | mandatory | pH Calibration Priority | other | This is a two-point calibration. The first is always pH 7. | During pH sensor calibration | high |
| #Q047 | operational | operational | mandatory | Dissolved Oxygen Pressure Equilibration | other | The seal must be loose to allow ambient barometric pressure equilibration. | When adding the calibration cup to the sonde for DO calibration | high |
| #Q048 | corrective_action | operational | mandatory | Data Analysis Filtering | other | Some sampling period data may be unreasonable or suspect and should be flagged and removed from subsequent analyses. | During examination of sampling period data | high |
| #Q049 | operational | operational | recommended | Voltage Regulator Recommendation | other | The use of a voltage regulator is highly recommended when connecting an auxiliary power source to the primary battery. | When connecting an auxiliary power source to the primary battery | high |
| #Q050 | operational | operational | recommended | Flow-Through Container Maintenance | other | To avoid this problem, the container should be examined frequently for sediment build-up. | When using flow-through deployment systems with a standing chamber | high |
| #Q051 | design | operational | mandatory | Flow-Through Power Requirement | other | Flow-through deployment requires 110 volt AC power. | When using flow-through deployment | high |
| #Q052 | operational | operational | recommended | Deployment Tube Cleaning Procedure | other | The tube should be cleaned by sliding a mop down the inside of the tube to remove any debris (Figure D-7) and rinsed by pouring a bucket of stream water down the tube. | During station maintenance and field visits | high |
| #Q053 | operational | operational | mandatory | Sonde Connector Cap Check | other | Ensure that the waterproof cap is still tightly secured on the sonde connector. | When cleaning sondes and sensors in a stable environment | high |
| #Q054 | operational | operational | mandatory | Portable Sonde Equipment Requirement | other | A portable sonde is required for field visits. | During field visits | high |
| #Q055 | administrative | operational | recommended | Procedural Modification Consultation | other | Before any modifications are implemented, the operator should consult with the project supervisor and/or the regional manager. | When deviating from standard field/laboratory procedures | high |
| #Q056 | operational | operational | mandatory | Mandatory Sensor Re-calibration Frequency | other | The sensors are always re-calibrated. Even if the sensors are reading within their defined accuracy, they are re-calibrated. | During every field visit | high |
| #Q057 | operational | operational | mandatory | Wiper Blade Maintenance | other | If the wiper blades are dirty or worn, they must be replaced because this can affect parking of the wiper. | If wiper blades are dirty or worn | high |
| #Q058 | operational | operational | recommended | Calibration Standard Certification | other | The standards should be certified by National Research Council (NRC) Canada or National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). | When selecting standard calibration solutions | high |
| #Q059 | operational | operational | recommended | Standard Rinsing Protocol | other | The sensors should be rinsed with distilled water and then with the standard solution. All rinses should be done three times. | During sensor calibration procedures | high |
| #Q060 | operational | operational | recommended | Calibration Sequence and Manufacturer Procedures | other | The sensors should be calibrated in the sequence recommended by the manufacturer and using the procedures recommended by the manufacturer. | During sensor calibration | high |
| #Q061 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Validation Process Frequency | other | The validation process is completed by the operator after each field visit. | After each field visit | high |
| #Q062 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Sensor Problem Reporting | other | If there is a problem with a sensor, the information should be added to RISC CWQ - 02. Station Log and Maintenance Form. | When a problem is identified with a sensor during inspection | high |
| #Q063 | operational | operational | mandatory | Fresh Calibration Standard Use | other | The measurement to obtain (C1) and to do the calibration (C2) is in fresh standard solution. | During sensor calibration procedures | high |
| #Q064 | operational | operational | mandatory | Turbidity Zero Point Calibration Priority | other | In all cases the calibration for 0 NTU is done first. | During two-point turbidity calibration | high |
| #Q065 | operational | operational | recommended | Post-Calibration Consistency Check | other | After the sensors are calibrated and the calibration drift data are recorded it is recommended that the sensors are put in tap water and data recorded for 0.5 to 1 hour (Figure D-16). The data should be examined to ensure that they are reasonable and consistent. | After sensors are calibrated and drift data recorded | high |
| #Q066 | operational | operational | mandatory | Sensor Immersion During Calibration | other | Except for dissolved oxygen, the sensor being calibrated must be immersed in the standards. | During sensor calibration procedures | high |
| #Q067 | design | operational | guidance | Steel Deployment Tube for High Velocity | other | If velocity and debris movement are the main concerns, a steel deployment tube will protect the sonde (Figure C-5). | In high velocity and high debris flow conditions | high |
| #Q068 | design | operational | recommended | Remote Communication Capability | other | At remote sites a deployment method that allows communication with the site is recommended, but not always possible. | For stations at remote sites | high |
| #Q069 | operational | reporting | recommended | Flagging Unexplained Abrupt Changes | other | If there is no apparent reason for the abrupt change, the value(s) should be flagged. | When identifying abrupt changes in sampling period data | high |
| #Q070 | operational | operational | mandatory | Measurement Option Consistency | other | The option that is used must remain consistent at a sampling location. | When choosing between in situ or bucket measurement options | high |
| #Q071 | design | operational | recommended | Site Accessibility Selection | other | The stations should be located near a road for easy access to the station. The station should have shallow sloping banks to ensure safe access to the stream. | When establishing the specific location of the sampling site | high |
| #Q072 | design | operational | recommended | Natural Hazard Site Assessment | other | The potential for snow pack and ice to limit access and to damage the equipment should be determined. The presence of large trees and the potential for windfalls that could damage the station should be assessed. | When establishing the location of the sampling site | high |
| #Q073 | design | operational | recommended | Cross-sectional Water Chemistry Variation Assessment | other | The variation in the water chemistry across the stream at the sampling site should be determined before the station is established. | Before the station is established | high |
| #Q074 | administrative | operational | guidance | Instrument-Specific Procedure Guidance | other | In cases where these are instrument-specific, the operator should contact the supplier for details. | When procedures are specific to the instrument being used | high |
| #Q075 | monitoring | reporting | recommended | Chlorophyll a Laboratory Sample Collection | other | Chlorophyll a monitoring is recommended only as a complement to more accurate laboratory analyses; therefore laboratory samples for chlorophyll a should be collected during every field visit. | During every field visit when monitoring Chlorophyll a | high |
| #Q076 | operational | operational | recommended | Sonde Removal Velocity Procedure | other | The sonde should be removed more slowly than the velocity of the stream. This should prevent any material that contributes to fouling from being dislodged. | When removing the deployed sonde for inspection or cleaning | high |
| Req ID | Category | Intent | Legal Status | Name | Subdomain(s) | Limit Type | Limit Value | Context | Conditions | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #P001 | operational | operational | guidance | Temperature | other | unknown | <= ± 0.2 °C | Data Grade Criteria: Excellent | high | |
| #P002 | operational | operational | guidance | Specific conductance | other | unknown | <= ± 3 μS/cm | Data Grade Criteria: Excellent | <= 100 μS/cm | high |
| #P003 | operational | operational | guidance | Specific conductance | other | unknown | <= ± 3 % of reading | Data Grade Criteria: Excellent | > 100 μS/cm | high |
| #P004 | operational | operational | guidance | pH | other | unknown | <= ± 0.2 pH units | Data Grade Criteria: Excellent | high | |
| #P005 | operational | operational | guidance | Turbidity | other | unknown | <= ± 2 NTU | Data Grade Criteria: Excellent | <= 40 NTU | high |
| #P006 | operational | operational | guidance | Turbidity | other | unknown | <= ± 5 % of reading | Data Grade Criteria: Excellent | > 40 NTU | high |
| #P007 | operational | operational | guidance | Dissolved oxygen | other | unknown | <= ± 0.2 mg/L | Data Grade Criteria: Excellent | <= 4 mg/l | high |
| #P008 | operational | operational | guidance | Dissolved oxygen | other | unknown | <= ± 5 % of reading | Data Grade Criteria: Excellent | > 4 mg/l | high |
| #P009 | operational | operational | guidance | Temperature | other | unknown | < -5 or > 45 °C | Criteria used to flag sampling period data that are off scale (range) | high | |
| #P010 | operational | operational | guidance | Specific Conductivity | other | unknown | < 0 or > 100 000 μS/cm | Criteria used to flag sampling period data that are off scale (range) | high | |
| #P011 | operational | operational | guidance | pH | other | unknown | < 0 or > 14 pH units | Criteria used to flag sampling period data that are off scale (range) | high | |
| #P012 | operational | operational | guidance | Turbidity | other | unknown | < 0 or > 1000 NTU | Criteria used to flag sampling period data that are off scale (range) | high | |
| #P013 | operational | operational | guidance | Dissolved Oxygen | other | unknown | < 0 or > 50 mg/L | Criteria used to flag sampling period data that are off scale (range) | high | |
| #P014 | operational | operational | guidance | Temperature | other | unknown | > 0.2 °C | Criteria used to determine if adjacent measurements exceed the accuracy range of the sensors | high | |
| #P015 | operational | operational | guidance | Specific Conductivity | other | unknown | > 3 μS/cm | Criteria used to determine if adjacent measurements exceed the accuracy range of the sensors | <= 100 μS/cm | high |
| #P016 | operational | operational | guidance | pH | other | unknown | > 0.2 pH units | Criteria used to determine if adjacent measurements exceed the accuracy range of the sensors | high | |
| #P017 | operational | operational | guidance | Turbidity | other | unknown | > 2 NTU | Criteria used to determine if adjacent measurements exceed the accuracy range of the sensors | <= 40 NTU | high |
| #P018 | design | operational | recommended | Sensor placement distance from substrate | other | requirement | >= 20 cm | Within the water column the sensors should be a minimum distance from the substrate to obviate effects of bedload transport | During in-situ deployment | high |
| #P019 | operational | operational | guideline | Specific Conductivity (Adjacent Measurements Flag) | other | requirement | > 0.03 fraction of reading | Criteria used in accuracy to determine if adjacent measurements exceed the accuracy range of the sensors | Values > 100 μS/cm | high |
| #P020 | operational | operational | guideline | Turbidity (Adjacent Measurements Flag) | other | requirement | > 0.05 fraction of reading | Criteria used in accuracy to determine if adjacent measurements exceed the accuracy range of the sensors | Values > 40 NTU | high |
| #P021 | operational | operational | guideline | Dissolved Oxygen (Adjacent Measurements Flag) | other | requirement | > 0.05 fraction of reading | Criteria used in accuracy to determine if adjacent measurements exceed the accuracy range of the sensors | high | |
| #P022 | operational | operational | guideline | Temperature Truncation Flag | other | requirement | -5 or 45 °C | Criteria used in truncation to determine if the values are truncated | high | |
| #P023 | design | operational | mandatory | RS232 Maximum Cable Length | other | requirement | 15.4 m | Maximum cable length for communication between a digital sensor and a single serial device | RS232 format specifications | high |
| #P024 | design | operational | mandatory | SDI-12 Maximum Cable Length | other | requirement | 62 m | Cable length allowed between the sensor and the data logger | General SDI-12 specification | high |
| #P025 | design | operational | mandatory | RS485 Maximum Cable Length | other | requirement | 1230 m | Useful in situations where longer cables are required | RS485 format | high |
| #P026 | design | operational | mandatory | Straight Stream Stretch (Small Streams) | other | requirement | 10 m | Distance upstream and downstream required to minimize cross-sectional variability | Small streams | high |
| #P027 | design | operational | mandatory | Straight Stream Stretch (Large Streams) | other | requirement | 100 m | Distance upstream and downstream required to minimize cross-sectional variability | Large streams | high |
| #P028 | operational | operational | recommended | Sensor Rinse Frequency | other | requirement | 3 times | Procedure for rinsing sensors with distilled water and standard solution | Calibration general procedures | high |
| #P029 | operational | operational | mandatory | Dissolved Oxygen Stabilization Time | other | requirement | 10-15 minutes | Equilibration time for ambient barometric pressure before calibration | Saturated environment calibration | high |
| #P030 | operational | reporting | guideline | Validation Comparison Acceptability Threshold | other | requirement | <= 2 accuracy multiplier | Difference between two readings divided by the accuracy of the sensor | Comparing data obtained in situ vs. 'in a bucket of stream water' | high |
| #P031 | operational | reporting | guideline | Specific Conductivity Truncation Flag | other | requirement | 0 or 100 000 μS/cm | Criteria used in truncation to determine if the values are truncated | high | |
| #P032 | operational | reporting | guideline | pH Truncation Flag | other | requirement | 0 or 14 pH units | Criteria used in truncation to determine if the values are truncated | high | |
| #P033 | operational | reporting | guideline | Turbidity Truncation Flag | other | requirement | 0 or 1000 NTU | Criteria used in truncation to determine if the values are truncated | high | |
| #P034 | operational | reporting | guideline | Dissolved Oxygen Truncation Flag | other | requirement | 0 or 50 mg/l | Criteria used in truncation to determine if the values are truncated | high | |
| #P035 | operational | operational | recommended | Field Visit Frequency | other | requirement | 2-3 weeks | Frequency for visiting new sites or sites without remote real-time communication | New sites or sites without telemetry | high |
| #P036 | operational | operational | recommended | Post-Calibration Stability Test Duration | other | requirement | 0.5-1 hour | Time period for recording data in tap water to ensure consistent sensor performance after calibration | high | |
| #P037 | operational | operational | recommended | Calibration Rinse Volume | other | requirement | 3-4 cm | Specific volume of solution to add to the calibration cup for sensor rinsing | Per rinse cycle | high |
| #P038 | design | operational | guidance | Sensor Operating Depth | other | requirement | <= 200 m | Standard maximum depth range for sensor operation | high | |
| #P039 | operational | operational | recommended | Conductivity Calibration Standard | other | requirement | 1413 μS/cm | Recommended standard solution for conductivity calibration in BC freshwaters | high | |
| #P040 | operational | operational | recommended | Turbidity Calibration Standard | other | requirement | 100 NTU | Recommended second point concentration for two-point turbidity calibration | high | |
| #P041 | operational | operational | guidance | Sensor Operating Temperature | other | requirement | -5 to 45 °C | Standard temperature range for sensor operation | high | |
| #P042 | operational | operational | guidance | Typical Life Span - Temperature Sensor | other | requirement | 5+ years | Expected operational duration for sensor type | Typical life span | high |
| #P043 | operational | operational | guidance | Typical Life Span - Conductivity Sensor | other | requirement | 5+ years | Expected operational duration for sensor type | Typical life span | high |
| #P044 | operational | operational | guidance | Typical Life Span - pH/ORP Sensor | other | requirement | 1 to 3 years | Expected operational duration for sensor type | Typical life span | high |
| #P045 | operational | operational | guidance | Typical Life Span - Dissolved Oxygen Sensor | other | requirement | 3 to 5 years | Expected operational duration for sensor type | Typical life span | high |
| #P046 | operational | operational | guidance | Typical Life Span - ISEs | other | requirement | 0.5 to 1 years | Expected operational duration for sensor type | Typical life span | high |
| #P047 | operational | operational | guidance | Stability - Formazin Turbidity Standard (> 400 NTU) | other | requirement | >= 1 year | Stability of turbidity standards varies by concentration | Concentration > 400 NTU | high |
| #P048 | operational | operational | guidance | Stability - Formazin Turbidity Standard (20-400 NTU) | other | requirement | ~ 1 month | Stability of turbidity standards varies by concentration | Concentration between 20 and 400 NTU | high |
| #P049 | operational | operational | guidance | Stability - Formazin Turbidity Standard (2-20 NTU) | other | requirement | 12-24 hours | Stability of turbidity standards varies by concentration | Concentration between 2 and 20 NTU | high |
| #P050 | operational | operational | guidance | Stability - Formazin Turbidity Standard (< 2 NTU) | other | requirement | <= 1 hour | Stability of turbidity standards varies by concentration | Concentration < 2 NTU | high |
| #P051 | design | operational | guidance | Radio Transmission Range | other | requirement | 20 km | Transmission capability for spread spectrum radios | Line of site | high |
| #P052 | operational | operational | guideline | Specific Conductance Probe Accuracy | other | requirement | ± 0.5% + 1 μS/cm | The accuracy specification for the conductivity probe provided by the manufacturer | high | |
| #P053 | operational | operational | guideline | Chlorophyll a Sensor Accuracy | other | requirement | ± 3 % | Hydrolab sensor accuracy for signal level equivalents of 1ppb rhodamine WT dye | 1ppb rhodamine WT dye equivalent | high |
| #P054 | design | operational | mandatory | Flow-through Deployment Power Supply | other | requirement | 110 volt AC | Required power source for flow-through deployment systems | Flow-through deployment method | high |
| #P055 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Very Good (Temperature) | other | requirement | > ± 0.2 to 0.4 °C | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | high | |
| #P056 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Good (Temperature) | other | requirement | > ± 0.4 to 0.6 °C | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | high | |
| #P057 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Fair (Temperature) | other | requirement | > ± 0.6 to 0.8 °C | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | high | |
| #P058 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Poor (Temperature) | other | requirement | > ± 0.8 °C | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | high | |
| #P059 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Very Good (pH) | other | requirement | > ± 0.2 to 0.4 pH units | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | high | |
| #P060 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Good (pH) | other | requirement | > ± 0.4 to 0.6 pH units | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | high | |
| #P061 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Fair (pH) | other | requirement | > ± 0.6 to 0.8 pH units | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | high | |
| #P062 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Poor (pH) | other | requirement | > ± 0.8 pH units | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | high | |
| #P063 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Very Good (Turbidity <= 40 NTU) | other | requirement | > ± 2 to 4 NTU | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | Turbidity values <= 40 NTU | high |
| #P064 | operational | operational | guideline | Data Grade Criteria: Poor (Turbidity > 40 NTU) | other | requirement | > ± 20 % of reading | Criteria for rating sensor performance based on sensor error | Turbidity values > 40 NTU | high |
| Req ID | Category | Name | Context | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #D001 | Accuracy | The difference between the reading in a standard solution and the true value. | high | |
| #D002 | Calibration drift | The change in the response of the sensors over time. It may be due to electronic drift in the equipment or sensitivity loss. | high | |
| #D003 | Data grades | Quantitative ranking of sensor performance based on the extent of sensor error at the time of the field visit. | high | |
| #D004 | Data logger | An instrument used to record the monitoring data. It may be internal or external. | high | |
| #D005 | Deployed sonde | The sonde that is deployed at the sampling site. It collects the monitoring data. | high | |
| #D006 | Deployment | The way in which the stream water comes in contact with the sensors. Deployment method is the way that the sensors are placed in the stream. | high | |
| #D007 | Deployment tube | A tube used to house and thus protect the deployed sonde and flexible cable. | high | |
| #D008 | Field and laboratory data | Data collected on-site and in a stable environment, respectively, at intervals during the monitoring period. | high | |
| #D009 | Fouling | The accumulation of sediment or algal deposits on the active surface of the sensors or the presence of vegetation, debris or insects within the sensor guard. | high | |
| #D010 | Laboratory samples | Discrete water-quality samples collected and submitted to a certified laboratory. | high | |
| #D011 | Life span (of a sensor) | The expected time period that a sensor will operate effectively. | high | |
| #D012 | Meta-data | The written non-quantitative information recorded during the field and laboratory procedures. They include the results of the site and sensor inspections, the sources of calibration standards, and any photographs taken during the field visits. | high | |
| #D013 | Operating environment (of a sensor) | The medium, temperature, and depth in which a sensor can operate effectively. | high | |
| #D014 | Operator | The person in charge of the sampling site. He or she may not be the one who collects the data but he / she is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the data are recorded, validated and corrected. | high | |
| #D015 | Pool | Areas in a stream that are deeper and have a slower velocity than other areas, and have a concave shaped bottom, a near-zero gradient on top, and relative fine sediment. | high | |
| #D016 | Portable sonde | A sonde that has sensors with the same accuracy, resolution and range as the deployed sonde. It is moved from site to site during each filed visit. | high | |
| #D017 | Quality assessment | The system of activities used to ensure that the quality assurance procedures are implemented and the quality control elements are evaluated. | high | |
| #D018 | Quality assurance | All of the procedures used to control the components of a water-quality sampling program. | high | |
| #D019 | Quality control | All of the data collected and used to measure bias and variability. | high | |
| #D020 | Range | The lowest to the highest values that a sensor can detect with the same resolution and accuracy. | high | |
| #D021 | Resources Inventory Standards Committee (RISC) | A committee that ensures that required standard method are developed and used in environmental sampling. | high | |
| #D022 | Resolution | The smallest interval that a sensor can detect. | high | |
| #D023 | Sampling period | The time between field visits. | high | |
| #D024 | Sampling period data | The data that are collected on-site while the operator is absent and stored in an internal or external data logger. | high | |
| #D025 | Sensor | An instrument used to measure one or more water-quality parameter. | high | |
| #D026 | Sensor error | Incorrect readings due to fouling, calibration drift, noise, or malfunction of the sensor. | high | |
| #D027 | Sensor malfunction | Inaccurate sensor readings due to physical damage to the sensor or to the connections between the sensor and the data logger. Sensor malfunction can also occur if the sensors are out of water. | high | |
| #D028 | Sensor noise | Changes in the response of a sensor due to external influences (e.g. power lines and magnetic fields), sensor sensitivity, and direct and reflected sunlight. | high | |
| #D029 | Sonde | An instrument that contains ports for several sensors. | high | |
| #D030 | Standard calibration solutions | Solutions supplied by the manufacturer that have known and consistent characteristics. | high | |
| #D031 | Stable environment | A laboratory or office with appropriate facilities to clean, calibrate and inspect the sampling equipment and with a controlled temperature and good lighting. | high | |
| #D032 | Validation | The set of procedures used to complete the quality assessment requirements of a continuous water-quality sampling program. It is a systematic evaluation of all of the data (meta and numerical) to find and deal with errors and to assign data grades. | high | |
| #D033 | CWQ | Continuous Water-Quality | high | |
| #D034 | EMS | Environmental Monitoring System | high | |
| #D035 | WIDM | Water Inventory Management | high | |
| #D036 | PDA | personal digital assistant | high | |
| #D037 | GPS | Global Positioning System | high | |
| #D038 | ISEs | ion specific electrodes | high | |
| #D039 | ORP | oxidation reduction potential | high | |
| #D040 | NRC | National Research Council | high | |
| #D041 | NIST | National Institute for Standards and Technology | high | |
| #D042 | BP | barometric pressure | high | |
| #D043 | Sensor parameters | the variables or parameters for each probe. | high | |
| #D044 | Sensor | the probe of a single sensor (arrangements 2 and 3) or the probes of a multi-parameter sonde (arrangements 1 and 2). | high | |
| #D045 | Data source | an external data logger (arrangements 2 and 3) or an internal data logger (arrangement 1). | high | |
| #D046 | flow-through system | A deployment method where the stream water is brought out of the stream to the sensor; also referred to as a side-stream system. | high | |
| #D047 | IrDA | infrared | high | |
| #D048 | DI | distilled (de-ionized) water | high | |
| #D049 | RS232 | the most common format. It is used to communicate between a digital sensor and a single serial device (e.g. PC, telephone modem) when calibrating and programming the sensors and retrieving stored data. | high | |
| #D050 | SDI-12 | used to communicate from multiple digital sensors to an external data logger. It uses multi-addresses so that each sensor is individually identified. | high | |
| #D051 | RS485 | useful in situations where longer cables (>100 m or 328 ft) are required; the RS485 format allows for up to 1230 m (4000 ft) of cable to be used. | high | |
| #D052 | in situ | the sensor is either placed in the stream; also called an "instream system" | high | |
| #D053 | surface deployment | In lakes and slow moving water such as in reservoirs, the deployment tube may be anchored to a buoy or raft. | high | |
| #D054 | gravity-fed systems | systems that draw water by gravity | high | |
| #D055 | pump-fed systems | systems that use a pump to draw water | high | |
| #D056 | ∓ range | Values that exceed the range of a sensor. | high | |
| #D057 | ∓ truncation | occurs when the sampling period data values exceed the range of the sensors. If a spike stays at the upper or lower range of the sensor, the values may be truncated. | high | |
| #D058 | ∓ accuracy | Cases in which adjacent values exceed the accuracy of the sensor. | high | |
| #D059 | IP address | identifies the computers on the Internet | high | |
| #D060 | Stablcal TM | stabilized formazin turbidity standard | high | |
| #D061 | Total dissolved gas | total gas pressure | high | |
| #D062 | 9 range | Values that exceed the range of a sensor. | high | |
| #D063 | 9 truncation | occurs when the sampling period data values exceed the range of the sensors. If a spike stays at the upper or lower range of the sensor, the values may be truncated. | high | |
| #D064 | 9 accuracy | Cases in which adjacent values exceed the accuracy of the sensor. | high | |
| #D065 | Booms | articulating levers that allow modification of the orientation and depth of the sensor in the stream and ensure that the sensor remains a consistent distance above the substrate. | high | |
| #D066 | Specific conductivity | the conductivity at 25 ° C. | high | |
| #D067 | Formazin | a polymer solution that has been the accepted primary turbidity standard for several decades. | high | |
| #D068 | Depth sensors | non-vented and are affected by changes in barometric pressure while they are deployed. | high | |
| #D069 | Level sensors | vented and do not vary with changes in barometric pressure during deployment. | high | |
| #D070 | Real-time communication | occurs when the on-site data are transmitted to a computer that is not at the sampling location. | high | |
| #D071 | analogue signal | A continuous increase in the signal output is typical of an analogue signal. | high | |
| #D072 | serial | signal outputs where the individual data values from each analogue sensor are sent in a specific sequence. | high | |
| #D073 | Fixed vertical deployment | deployment where the deployment tube is attached to a structure such as a bridge or piling or bedrock. | high | |
| #D074 | Fixed angle deployment | The deployment tube is anchored to the stream bank on an angle, usually via posts, angle iron or a tree. | high | |
| #D075 | F | fouling | high | |
| #D076 | CD | calibration drift | high |