THE PRACTICAL HANDLING OF WATER-QUALITY MONITORING DATA

A cost-effective solution to the organization and control of data in the multi-purpose water management authorities established in England and Wales [UK] was described. Emphasis was placed on handling water quality monitoring data, but the strong links needed with hydrological, biological, meteorological, water supply and disposal data in a computer-based system were stressed. Objectives, applications, the necessary project management to involve the wide body of users and the system design were described and an explanation given of how reference data were dealt with. The work to define the data concerned with algae, chemcials and hydrology was presented. The Water Archive System was installed in 7 of the regional water authorities in England and Wales, the Department of the Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, UK.