Updates to the Procedures for Surface Water Quality Monitoring
Updates to the SWQM Procedures Manual, which describes methods for collecting and analyzing habitat data and physical and chemical monitoring methods for water, sediment, and tissue.
The SWQM Procedures Manual describes methods for collecting and analyzing biological community and habitat data and physical and chemical monitoring methods for water, sediment, and tissue. The Procedures Manual was most recently published in 2012 (Volume 1) and 2014 (Volume 2).
The process for making interim changes to the manuals is outlined in the Procedures for Making Interim Changes to the SWQM Procedures Manuals.
Updates to Volume 1
The updates provided below supercede the corresponding items in Volume 1: Physical and Chemical Monitoring Methods (RG-415) (August 2012).
Unless otherwise indicated, links are PDF
Summary of Changes
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Interim Changes Summary Table for Volume 1
(June 2015)
This table provides a summary of major and minor changes to the SWQM Procedures Manual, Vol. 1.
Chapter Updates
Chapter 2
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Invasive Aquatic Species: Boat, Trailer, and Equipment Cleaning Guidelines
(September 2013)
Describes methods for decontaminating boats, trailers and equipment to prevent the spread of invasive species in freshwater.
Chapter 3
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24-hr Dissolved Oxygen - When to Take Measurements
(June 2015)
Provides expanded guidance for the temporal distribution of 24-hr dissolved oxygen monitoring. - Example Field Data Sheet (October 2012)
Chapter 8
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Multiprobe Temperature Sensor Check
(October 2012)
Provides guidance for conducting required temperature sensor check during routine maintenance. -
YSI 6-Series Multiprobe Optical Dissolved Oxygen Membrane Replacement
(November 2012)
Provides guidance for locating and entering optical membrane coefficients during annual membrane replacement. -
Hydrolab Multiprobe Calibration/Maintenance Log and pH Calibration Standards Table
(May 2014)
A template for the minimum requirements for a Hydrolab multiprobe calibration and maintenance logbook and the table for pH calibration standards temperature corrections.
Chapter 10
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Quality Assurance and Quality Control
(May 2014)
The collection of field split samples is no longer required for routine water chemistry samples.
Return to topProcedure Updates
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Procedures for Shipping Bacteriological Samples (May 2014)
This change applies to TCEQ SWQM staff only.
Updates to Volume 2
These updates provided below supercede the corresponding items in Volume 2: Methods for Collecting and Analyzing Biological Assemblage and Habitat Data (RG-416) (May 2014).
Summary of Changes
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Interim Changes Summary Table for Volume 2 (November 2019)
This table provides a summary of major and minor changes to the SWQM Procedures Manual, Vol. 2.
Chapter Updates
Chapter 5
Data Evaluation for RBP Kicknet or RBP Snag Samples
(November 2019)
Definitions for new benthic IBI metrics were added.
Appendix B
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Table B.11 - Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity metrics and scoring criteria (November 2019)
New metric sets and scoring criteria for regionalized benthic IBIs were added. -
Table B.13 - Tolerance values and functional group classification for benthic macroinvertebrates (November 2019)
Benthic taxa and associated parameter codes were added.
Procedure Updates
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Procedure for Monitoring Seagrass (August 2018)
This chapter describes the protocols used by the TCEQ, TPWD, and cooperators at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) for monitoring seagrass condition and the collection of data in support of the Texas Seagrass Monitoring Program.