External Data Submittals to the Watershed Planning Program

WPP categorizes external data into 3 general levels, which are related to the monitoring objectives (i.e., why the data were collected):

1. Educational/Stewardship-level
2. Screening level, and
3. Regulatory/Assessment level.

While extremely important, data collected primarily for educational and/or stewardship purposes (level 1) generally does not meet the rigor (i.e., accuracy, precision, frequency, comparability, overall confidence, etc.) required for use in making water quality assessment decisions or in developing TMDLs. Although this type of data can be submitted, it is unlikely the data will be used for 305(b) or 303(d)-related decision making.

Screening-level data (level 2) are also very important and welcome, but generally fail to meet one or more WPP criteria required for direct use in water quality assessments or TMDLs. For example, Level 2 data may meet the data quality objectives in the submitter's Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), but not those in the WPP's monitoring program QAPP approved by USEPA. Level 2 data may be used to direct future WPP sampling efforts and as supporting evidence.

Level 3 assessment-level data have been determined by MassDEP, based on the WPP's external data review procedures, to be directly usable for 305(b) and 303(d) decision-making. These data are considered scientifically sound and legally defensible, and are typically the result of extensive planning, attention to detail, relatively stringent data quality objectives, training, standard field and lab procedures, metadata collection, project organization, and data verification. Contingent upon WPP staff review and approval, quality-controlled data can help determine if a waterbody is meeting water quality standards or is impaired.

All external data submitted electronically are reviewed using a defined and consistent procedure. Use of WPP's data submittal template is the preferred format for external data submittals. Once data are received by WPP, a standard data review spreadsheet is used to facilitate and document the review. NOTE: QAPP approval, submittal of the data integrity statement and/or submittal of monitoring data does not guarantee that the data will be used by the WPP in its CWA 305(b) use assessment decisions.

• The data submittal deadline for the combined 2024/2026 IR is January 18, 2023. Quality-controlled external data submitted prior to this deadline may be utilized, depending on the watersheds and uses assessed for the 2024/2026 IR.

Submittals of surface water quality data/information from external data providers are welcome at any time for potential use by MassDEP for CWA 305(b), 314 and 303(d) assessment and reporting purposes. Quality-controlled data submitted prior to the date(s) shown above may be considered in the development of the IR, dependent on the planned cycle-specific assessment workload. Data submitted after the listed deadline(s), including during the public comment period, will not be considered for the current assessment cycle, but will be reviewed and considered in a subsequent cycle, dependent on the workloads planned for future assessment cycles.

• Cover letter / email.
• Data Files. Quality-assured monitoring data can be electronically submitted in either of two ways (or both):
  • Using DWM-WPP's data-submittal template:
    Data files may be submitted using DWP-WPP's data-submittal Excel template, available via WPP's external-data web page (link below). Data sent using other formats may not be reviewed for usability by DWM-WPP. Data file(s) must include quality-control data.
  • Using EPA's WQX online database.
    If submitting data via WQX please use the email address below to notify DWM-WPP when data has been submitted. Please include with the notification email: a brief list of the data submitted, a copy of the approved QAPP (or cite title and approval date), all quality-control data that was not included in the WQX submission (e.g., field duplicates, blanks, instrument calibration check results).
• Statement of Data Integrity (see link below).
• Electronic copy of approved QAPP. If the QAPP was approved by DWM-WPP, it is sufficient to cite the QAPP title and approval date in the cover letter/notification email.
• In addition to the final data submittal, a summary report (optional) may also be provided.  Suggested content for data reports can be found in the Recommended Content of Data Report Submittals for CWA Reporting Purposes document (see link below).

Electronic data files, related information, and questions can be sent to the DWM-WPP email: WQData.Submit@mass.gov. For regular mail delivery (e.g., CD), data can be sent to the following address:  

Dr. Bob Smith, External Monitoring and Data Coordinator
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Resources, Division of Watershed Management, Watershed Planning Program
8 New Bond St., Worcester, MA 01606