Data Validation Process Summary
The data validation process for the data management system involves multiple levels of review to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency of analytical results. The initial review is conducted by the Project Manager of the contracted laboratory, who authorizes the release of the analytical report through Eurofins. This report includes a Level II data package containing the cover page, table of contents, glossary, case narrative, client sample results, quality control (QC) results and summaries, laboratory chronicle, certification summary, chain of custody, and receipt checklists.
Following this, the sampling contractor performs a secondary review using the ECP Analytical Data Review Checklist. This checklist evaluates project information, chain of custody, sample receipt, analytical data reports, electronic data deliverables, calibration, and blanks. It also includes detailed QC reviews for organics and metals—covering method blanks, field blanks, laboratory control samples, duplicates, matrix spikes/matrix spike duplicates, and surrogates for organics. The checklist further verifies reporting limits, laboratory certification, and the handling of any QC failures or positive detections.
Before uploading the Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD), the sampling contractor’s Project Manager conducts a final consistency check of all data. Any unclear or inconsistent results are communicated to ECP and the contracted laboratory’s Project Manager for clarification and resolution.
Contact for Questions/Corrections
Data Steward: Claudia Trueblood
Email: emergingcontam.sdc@state.nm.us
Phone: (505) 469-8920
Please include system ID, sample date, and analyte in your request.
Data Retention and Versioning
On-site backups of website databases are performed nightly, weekly, and monthly with the most recent three backups of each type being retained. On-site mirror copies of website documents are updated nightly. These database and documents backups are copied to two network-attached storage devices that are swapped each week, with the most recent backups stored off-site in a locked cabinet within an alarmed building.
Known Limitations of the Data or Detection Thresholds
Several limitations apply to the available data within the Data Management System (DMS):
- Data Availability: For most systems without detections above regulatory thresholds, the Emerging Contaminants Program (ECP) data only includes results for entry points to the distribution system (EPTDS), and not for source water.
- Sampling Frequency and Coverage: At any given time, depending on the type of system, the DMS may only display sampling results from a single sampling event or location.
- Monitoring Scope: The current dataset represents results from the initial monitoring requirements. No additional data collection is anticipated unless the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) obtains primacy or water systems voluntarily report data to NMED.
- Program Participation: Some systems do not qualify for the monitoring program, and others have chosen to opt out, resulting in incomplete statewide coverage.
- Metals Data: EPA Method 200.7 covers numerous trace metals and elements, but only lithium and manganese were selected for ECP analysis. Thus, these are the only Method 200.7 analytes reported in the DMS.
Regarding detection thresholds, these are not considered limitations, as the reporting limits (RLs) are substantially lower than the applicable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), ensuring adequate sensitivity for detection.
Community
Non-Transient Non-Community
UCMR5
Unknown
