ADEQ manages and calibrates equipment to ensure every tool is field-ready.
|
Equipment/Kit Category |
Ideal For |
Is Training Required? |
|
Water Quality and Chemistry |
Monitoring groundwater, streams, lakes, and springs |
Yes (AZCSA Credible Data Training) |
|
E. coli Sampling Supplies |
Bacterial surface water and groundwater testing
|
Yes (AZCSA Credible Data Training)
|
|
Stream, Groundwater and Hydrology Tools |
Flow monitoring, depth to water, and temperature logging |
Yes (AZCSA Credible Data Training) |
|
Pretreatment Program |
Trash cleanups, wet/dry mapping, basic temp |
No (Open to all volunteers) |
Credible Data
To ensure data collected by community scientists can be used in real environmental decision-making, ADEQ provides structured support:
- Sampling and Analysis Plans: All rigorous data collection follows an approved Sampling and Analysis Plan under ADEQ's Quality Assurance Program Plan.
- Hands-on Training: AZCSA staff conduct regular training modules for volunteers.
- Routine Equipment Maintenance: ADEQ performs quarterly maintenance, quality checks, and recalibrations on all LABrary gear.
- Annual Audits: Yearly quality audits ensure data consistency and accuracy across all regional hubs.
Safety and accessibility are core priorities for the LABrary:
- Equipment Loaner Agreement: Host sites and borrowers complete a simple loaner agreement prior to equipment release.
- Volunteer Registration Form: All participating community scientists complete an annual volunteer registration form.
Data collected through the LABrary doesn't sit in a drawer. Once submitted:
- ADEQ staff conduct quality validation.
- Approved data is imported into internal and external databases.
- Results are published to the EPA Water Quality Exchange for community members, researchers, and policymakers to access freely.
