ACT Waterwatch Data Review 2013
We have probably all heard debates about Citizen Science and how the data collected can be labelled untrustworthy or biased. A review conducted by the University of Canberra looking at the quality of Waterwatch data found that:
...the Waterwatch database provides a good quality baseline dataset for assessing water quality in the ACT and that where there has been ...sufficiently regular collection... of data, it is possible to use Waterwatch data in an early warning context.
View the ACT Waterwatch Data Review Report (3.7 MB).
Changes to Waterwatch following the data review
As a legacy of different funding sources, Waterwatch data in the different sub-catchments was held in different databases, and was not all publicly available. In addition, processes and methods varied somewhat, and reporting varied in scale and detail around the catchment.
Following the data review:
- Waterwatch data was combined in a single database managed by the Atlas of Living Australia.
- Site locations were revised to ensure better coverage, and long term sites were prioritised.
- Locations were combined and/or waterways were divided into "reaches" based on variables such as land use and significant confluences .
- Data collection was extended: Water quality (monthly at all sites), was combined with Water bug data (Spring and Autumn at key sites) and Riparian Vegetation and Habitat surveys (all sites biennial ).
- The yearly CHIP report now comprises all these data, combined for each reach.
- Each reach was accompanied by a report card in the CHIP report to provide context.
Waterwatch volunteers take part in a Quality Assurance/Quality Control event every year where they test "mystery solutions" to assess their testing techniques, kits and equipment.
All these efforts have resulted in increased data confidence and greater use of our Waterwatch data.