What is WQX?
The Water Quality Exchange (WQX) is a new framework that makes it easier for
States, Tribes, and others to submit and share water quality monitoring data over
the Internet. States, Tribes and other organizations can now submit data directly
to the publicly-accessible STORET Data Warehouse using the WQX framework. The STORET
Data Warehouse will continue to be the repository for all modern STORET data and
will now also be the new home for data submitted through WQX. WQX will eventually
replace the distributed STORET Database (including the STORET Data Entry Module,
Reports Module, and STORET Import Module or SIM) as the primary means of submitting
water quality monitoring data to EPA.
The purpose of these pages is to assist water quality professionals and data managers
with understanding WQX, how it works, how it relates to STORET, and how to begin
submitting data using the WQX framework. Below is a description of how WQX works,
followed by useful links for water quality data managers.
How does WQX Work?
WQX uses Extensible Markup Language (XML) and a defined set of data elements (the WQX schema)
to allow states, tribes and other organizations to submit data from their own database to the STORET Warehouse.
WQX makes use of the technology and procedures that are defined by the
National Environmental Information Exchange Network.
Data can be submitted via WQX through different mechanisms. Exchange Network Nodes or
Node Clients may be used to submit data that follow the WQX schema. Alternatively,
data can be submitted using WQX Web, a web-based data loading tool that is based on the WQX schema.
The WQX schema is based on the Environmental Sampling,
Analysis and Results
(ESAR) data standard, which is EPA's approved standard for sharing water, solid waste and air quality
data. It also uses other registries of common data, names, and data formats.
This
technical WQX fact sheet (PDF 1.1 MB) describes how WQX works.
WQX v1.0 and v2.0
In February 2007, WQX v1.0 was released. WQX v1.0 represents the version of
the WQX schema that handles physical, chemical and fish tissue water monitoring
results. Since that time, various organizations have submitted data using WQX
v1.0 or are in the process of preparing to submit.
WQX v2.0 incorporates biological and habitat data elements into the v1.0 schema
structure. This means that the WQX version 2.0 incorporates the new biological
and habitat data elements without affecting or changing the version 1.0 schema
that has been in production since February 2007. Users that are currently working
on data submission with WQX 1.0 do not need to transition to WQX 2.0, unless they wish to do so.
The following links provide water quality data managers with information about
getting started with WQX. Current users of the distributed STORET system should
reference information about transitiong from STORET.
WQX Node and Node Client Data Flow
WQX Web Tool
Return to Top
| You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Adobe PDF files on this page. See EPA's PDF page for more information about getting and using the free Acrobat Reader. |
|
