Organizations, tribes and government entities have a variety of options available to them in submitting and accessing chemical, physical, biological, habitat data, and their associated metadata.

1. WQX Node/ Node Client Data Submitter - Submitting data through a Node or Node Client is more suited for larger flow volumes (i.e. states). For more information on submitting data through a Node or Node Client to WQX, Click Here.
   
   

   The new NGN endpoints are the following:
   
   Production Node:
   Node 1.1 - https://cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enws10/services/NetworkNodePortType_V10
   Node 2.0 - https://cdxnodengn.epa.gov/ngn-enws20/services/NetworkNode2Service
   Node 2.1 - https://cdxnodengn.epa.gov/ngn-enws20/services/NetworkNode2ServiceConditionalMTOM
   
   Test Node:
   Node 1.1 Test - https://testngn.epacdxnode.net/cdx-enws10/services/NetworkNodePortType_V10
   Node 2.0 Test - https://testngn.epacdxnode.net/ngn-enws20/services/NetworkNode2Service
   Node 2.1 Test -
   https://testngn.epacdxnode.net/ngn-enws20/services/NetworkNode2ServiceConditionalMTOM

   
   
   

   Where to Direct General Node /Node Client Questions

   • I received the error message "Unauthorized Access. User "node@dep.state.franklin.us" has not been granted access to the "Franklin_WQX" organization. Please Contact STORET/WQX Support for assistance." Please contact the STORET helpdesk at STORET@epa.gov and provide a description of the issue.

   • I received the error message "Invalid NAAS User ID "Guillen@Franklin.gov". If you believe this should be valid, contact STORET/WQX Support to confirm that your User ID has been set up in the WQX System. Additionally, your Organization may need to be set up." Please contact the STORET helpdesk at STORET@epa.gov.

   • For issues with your NAAS ID or password contact the Node helpdesk at 1-877-827-0260 or email nodehelpdesk@epacdx.net.

   
   
2. WQX Web Tool

   WQX Web is a web-based application designed to assist smaller organizations with submitting data via WQX. WQX Web is a tool that converts text files (such as comma or tab-delimited files) into a valid WQX submission file (based on the WQX schema). WQX Web also interacts with the Central Data Exchange (CDX), which is the EPA's portal through which all environmental data is expected to flow. WQX Web is also a data conversion and validation tool, providing support for user-defined file formats and user-defined translations to WQX-compliant values for items like Characteristics, Taxonomic Names, Units of Measure, etc.

   A WQX Web template is available to assist organizations with formatting their data for upload to WQX Web. Please see the WQX Web Resources page to access the template. Please click here to view WQX Web User Guide.

   WQX Web is accessed through CDX Web. Users of WQX Web will always log in to CDX Web in order to access WQX Web.

   For users already signed up, here are quick directions for accessing WQX Web now:

   • Go to https://cdx.epa.gov/SSL/cdx/login.asp
   
   
   • Log on to CDX Web
   
   
   • Once logged on, click the WQX Web link to access the tool

   How to sign up to use WQX Web

   This presentation can be referred to understand the process of WQX Web sign up.

   Step 1: Request a WQX Web account and an WQX Organization ID

   To begin the process of setting up your WQX Web account, please provide the following information in an email to the STORET Team. The STORET Team's email address is storet@epa.gov.

   • First name
   • Middle name
   • Last Name
   • Prefix (Mr./Mrs./Ms)
   • WQX Organization ID (see below for more information about WQX Organization IDs)
   • WQX Organization Name
   • Mailing Address 1
   • Mailing Address 2
   • City
   • State
   • Zip/Postal Code
   • E-mail Address
   • Phone Number
   For more information on registering for WQX Web, Click Here.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Central Data Exchange (CDX) - Prior to import to the WQX/STORET data warehouse, data files must pass through CDX, a doorway which authorizes submissions. For more information on Central Data Exchange (CDX) and the National Environmental Information Exchange Network, Click Here.
   
   
4. WQX Database The Water Quality Exchange (WQX) is a mechanism for transferring data to and extracting data from the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Storage and Retrieval (STORET) data warehouse. For more information on What is WQX? Click Here.
   
   
5. National STORET Warehouse EPA's repository of biological, habitat and physical/chemical data collected by water resource management groups across the country. For more information on the STORET/WQX Data Warehouse, Click Here.
   
   
6. Download Data, Domain Values, Mapping Applications, Web Services, and Tools for Data Analysis
   To download STORET data Click Here Data Download
   
   To download WQX Domain values Click Here Domain Value Downloads A zip file containing the WQX domain values / List as zipped XML documents. This output of the WQX domain values is realtime accessing the WQX Operational Database System. WQX Web can also be utilized to access the most current WQX domain values in TEXT format.
   ***A subset of characteristic names in the Characteristic domain value list have been changed. For a crosswalk of the changes, please see this Characteristic Roadmap (Excel file, 21 KB).
   
   To access MyWATERS Mapper Click Here MyWATERS, or to access EnviroMapper for Water Click Here EnviroMapper.
   
   For additional resources and related information, visit the Useful Internet Links section by clicking here Useful Internet Links.
   
   For more information on Tools/ Web Services that other data partners or EPA have created, Click Here Tools/Web Services.
   
   For assistance please contact the STORET helpdesk at STORET@epa.gov.
   
   
   
7. Search and Request Missing Domain Values
   
   Process for Searching Domain Values:
   

   1. The Characteristic domain values provide information on substances as defined by the USEPA Substance Registry System (SRS) Note, there are a small number of exceptions which are recognized by the USEPA WQX system.
   To Request a new Characteristic provide the following as applicable:
   Name, EPA SRS Number (n/a), CAS Number (n/a), Documentation/URL, if no SRS/CAS Number.
   
   2. The Taxon domain values are biological names primarily stewarded by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) and the ITIS Catalogue of Life. Taxonomic names from academic journals or accredited sources may also be added if reference information is provided (i.e. a URL or citation). Click here to view updated taxon names as of 09/25/2013.
   To Request a new Taxon provide the following as applicable:
   Name, Taxon Rank, Kingdom, URL, Author & Year, ITIS Identifier (n/a), ITIS Parent Identifier (one taxon rank above) - (n/a)
   
   3. The Analytical Procedures domain values are confined by the both USEPA and the National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI), with a small number of exceptions also implemented by the USEPA WQX system.
   To Request a new "National" Method provide the following as applicable:
   Method ID, Method Name, Source/Context, URL, NEMI Identifier (n/a)
   

   Process for Requesting Domain Values:
   Requests for additional Domain Values should be emailed to STORET Helpdesk: STORET@epa.gov
   Please supply documentation on descriptions, definitions, and reference resources to facilitate your domain request. Also, check the STORET website and the Monthly STORET / WQX user conference call for information and discussions on system issues and domain values requests system issues and domain values request.
   

   Can't find what you are looking for on the site? see the sitemap.

8. FAQs and Best Practices
   

   For more frequently asked questions please see the FAQ page.

   Can't find what you are looking for on the site? see the sitemap.

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   How should I handle continuous (fixed) data logger information?

   For continuous loggers with a set interval between "clicks", which typically operate for a short period of time following deployment at a fixed site, you may at your option turn the operating period into a suite of field activities, each one representing a single click of the device, with its date and time of day recorded, and the readings of all mounted probes as of that instant. There are two down sides of this: the data entry process is fairly cumbersome and time consuming, and the resulting large number of observations over a short period of time tends to bias any statistical analysis of the data, especially when such analysis includes single site visit activities such as grab samples. STORET also currently has a limitation in that only 2000 activities can exist for each operating period.
   
   Our recommendation is to use the Oracle concept "Binary Large Object" (BLOB for short) in the "Document/Graphic" area of the database, instead, and report this as a Portable Data Logger activity. In this case, you report to STORET a single activity in which you record the summary statistics of the probe readings (Mean, Min, Max, etc.) and to which you attach a binary object in the form of the flat text ".txt" file typically downloaded from the data logger. This works equally well for the fixed data logger and for the so-called CTD cast, when the data logger is deployed off the side of a ship or pier, and allowed to freely descend through the water column and report continuously the readings of its probes. The CTD typically also yields results for thermocline, halocline, and pycnocline depths, which can be added to the results associated with the activity. An additional comment could be included to indicate that this activity is a fixed data logger. The activity information and the "Document/Graphic" file will be available on the STORET Warehouse after export to EPA.
   
   Specific instructions on how to store fixed data logger results in portable data log (PDL) files and submit them in STORET are included under WQX Resources (Node/Node Client Users) and WQX Web Resources (Web Browser Users).
   
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   AWQMS (Ambient Water Quality Management System)

   What is AWQMS?

   The Ambient Water Quality Monitoring System (AWQMS) is a data management system for ambient water quality data. The system was designed by EPA Region 8 states to be fully compatible with the WQX schema. It is well suited for small systems that currently do not have a database on the means to generate XML files. While AWQMS is compatible with WQX, EPA does not support it. top

   How does AWQMS function?

   AWQMS is a highly configurable import module that supports a wide array of import formats. The system provides query pages for identifying data and detail pages for updating and deleting records. In addition, AWQMS supports Flat File Export, it is used to facilitate data review and analysis in products like Microsoft Excel, where charts and graphs can be configured and obtained. top

   Does AWQMS have the same kind of data as WQX? How do the two databases differ?

   AWQMS is a distributed database and WQX is a data standard supported EPA. AWQMS is not supported by EPA; however it is an option for states to use to submit data via XML. To submit data to EPA, a user needs to utilize WQX as of September 30, 2009 it will be EPA's primary means of water quality data exchange. top

   I am a user with my own personal database, what are my options to submit data after September 30, 2009?

   If a user has a database and is able to generate an XML, then the user can submit the XML file directly to WQX via the Exchange Network and CDX. If a user has a database, or spread sheets but does not have the ability to generate an XML file, the user can use WQX Web to generate the XML. top

   I am a user with a small system and/ or no personal database, what are my options to submit data after September 30, 2009?

   If a user does not have a personal database, that user can choose to use AWQMS to store data and submit data to WQX. If the user is the owner of a small system then they can use WQX Web to generate an XML file for submissions to WQX. top