Overview
The Monitoring program tracks water quality data at designated sampling points. It manages monitoring sites (where you sample), monitoring events (when you sample), and monitoring records (what you measured).
Monitoring sites
A monitoring site is a specific point where samples are collected. Each site has a name, a Site Profile, and coordinates. Monitoring sites appear on the Site Map as distinct markers.
Monitoring events
A monitoring event groups multiple sampling records from the same sampling occasion. Events are automatically managed: they're created when you add your first record and deleted if the last record is removed.
Because events auto-delete when empty, be careful: if you clear out field records before your lab results are available, the event container tying those records together disappears. Have your lab results ready before deleting any field records.
Monitoring records
Each monitoring record captures a single measurement:
Identifier: sample identifier.
Constituent: what was measured (for example, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, heavy metals). Constituents are configured in your admin settings.
Value: the numeric result of the test. Supports decimal values for high-precision lab results.
Analysis Type: Field (on-site measurement) or Lab (laboratory analysis).
Analysis Method: the testing method used.
How monitoring data is used
Monitoring records feed into report prepopulation. Inspection reports can include a monitoring sites composite field that pulls current data.
Monitoring data appears in the Analytics dashboard.
Constituent data supports permit compliance tracking.
FAQ
Q: What constituents can I track?
A: Constituents are configured in your admin settings. Common examples include pH, turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, and various metals and chemicals.
Q: Can monitoring sites appear on the map?
A: Yes. Monitoring sites with coordinates display as distinct markers on the Site Map of the parent site.
Q: Who verifies a monitoring record, and does verifying it lock the record?
A: The Verified flag is manual; a reviewer on your team toggles it after reviewing results. It's informational rather than enforcing. The record is not locked when verified, so values can still be corrected if needed. Check with your administrator for your organization's verification workflow.
Q: What's the difference between Field and Lab analysis?
A: Field means the measurement was taken on-site (for example, with a portable pH meter). Lab means the sample was sent to a laboratory for analysis.