DQM Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) - Use of the DQM Generic Monitoring Task List Template

Sep 12, 2026

DQM Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) explains how to use the DQM Generic Monitoring Task List Template to plan and track watershed monitoring projects. It frames environmental monitoring as coordinated, time- and space-limited data collection and provides a practical workflow spanning question formulation, parameter selection, station choices, DQO and sampling design, method selection, kit purchase and testing, training, data gathering and management, validation, analysis, and reporting. It also describes the major project roles and the documentation and data-quality responsibilities they must follow, including field operator, trainer/QA, and technical leader/QA-QC officer.

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9.4.1.1 DQM Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

About this SOP

Definition of Project roles

DQM Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) [9.4.1.1](9.4.1.1) By Revital Katznelson, Ph.D. Use of the DQM Generic Monitoring Task List Template (This paragraph is common to all DQM SOPs. If you have seen it already, please skip to Section 1 below). This is a new type of guidance, created as part of the Data Quality Management (DQM) System implemented by the Clean Water Team (CWT) to support collection of reliable data of known quality in a fully documented, scientifically defensible manner. 1.0 About this SOP This SOP provides instructions for using the generic Monitoring Tasks template, provided in electronic format (and in hardcopy as part of the SOP), as a planning and tracking tool for a watershed monitoring Project. The guidance augments Project-planning DQM guidance that will be provided by the CWT in the future. This SOP is intended to be used by citizen monitoring groups or local agency staff, and is focused on roles, responsibilities, and tasks associated with typical watershed monitoring Projects. In this context, a “Project” is defined as a data collection effort, performed by one or more organizational entities, and is limited in space and time. The steps, tasks, and procedures associated with an environmental monitoring project are challenging. Many times, Project proponents are not aware of the amount of effort and coordination a successful Project requires. If you are the Technical Leader of a monitoring project and you are interested in running a Project that delivers good data, this task list may help you plan it and track its implementation. There are many tasks, and this list contains all the tasks CWT has encountered so you can use it as a baseline. You can tailor it to your needs by deleting irrelevant tasks and adding relevant ones. You can also use it as a planning and "scoping"tool (preparation of a scope of work), and to line up the folks that will work with you on the Project. The list walks the planning team through the tasks of question formulation, parameter selection, reconnaissance and Station selection, development of DQOsand sampling design, method selection, kit purchase and testing, training, data gathering, data management and entry, data validation and analysis, and all the way to data reporting. Beyond the tasks listed, the table also contains placeholders for the effort (labor) required to complete each task, for the role title and the name of the person responsible to perform the task, for a product if applicable, and for the timeline for task completion. The file has been created in Excel to allow sorting by any field, so each Project person can easily see the tasks for which he/she is responsible. It is hoped that this organized listing will help avoid situations where some of the Project tasks slip between the cracks. 2.0 Definition of Project roles This guidance assumes the use of the “DQM Project File”, a Microsoft Excel workbook with multiple spreadsheets that include all the results, result descriptors, and supporting documentation relevant to one Project. It also assumes that there is a team of several people that are working on the Project, and that the other DQM guidance is accessible to them. However, a Project can be run by one person who carries out all the tasks. The DQM identifies –and provides guidance for – three major roles in the data collection effort. Field Operator – conducts measurements, calibrations, and accuracy checks; collects and dispatches samples for analysis off-site. In addition to the sampling and testing equipment, these DQM materials should be provided for the field operator: 1. Hardcopies of instrument-specific SOPs for all the kits and instruments used by this team of field operators. 2. “Field Data Sheet for Water Quality Monitoring” – hardcopy for the results. 3. Hardcopy instructions-how to fill every cell of the Field Data Sheet for Water Quality Monitoring. 4. “Calibration and Accuracy Checks Sheet” – hardcopy for cal

FAQs

What is the purpose of this SOP for watershed monitoring projects?

It provides instructions for using the generic Monitoring Tasks template as a planning and tracking tool, supporting reliable, documented data collection with clear roles and responsibilities.

What major steps does the monitoring task list cover?

It covers question formulation, parameter selection, reconnaissance and station selection, DQOs and sampling design, method selection, kit purchase and testing, training, data gathering, management and entry, validation and analysis, and reporting.

What are the three major project roles defined in this guidance?

The roles are Field Operator, Trainer and Quality Assurance (QA) Person, and Technical Leader & QA/QC Officer, each with specific responsibilities for measurements, documentation, and ensuring data quality.

Sep 12, 2026

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