567—61.10 (455B) Purpose. The department uses water quality monitoring data for a number of purposes, including determining compliance with effluent limits for operation permits issued under 567—Chapter 64. The department also uses water quality monitoring data to determine the relative health of a water body by comparing monitoring data to the appropriate water quality standards established in 567—Chapter 61, a process known as water body assessments. Water body assessments are performed to prepare the biennial water quality report required under Section 305(b) of the Act and the list of impaired waters under Section 303(d) of the Act.
Iowa Code sections 455B.193 to 455B.195 require that credible data, as defined in Iowa Code section 455B.171, be used for the purpose of preparing Section 303(d) lists and other water quality program functions. Data provided by a volunteer are not considered credible data unless provided by a qualified volunteer. The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum requirements for data produced by volunteers to meet the credible data and qualified volunteer requirements.