All water quality monitoring programs create data which needs to be properly managed. A data management system should be designed early in the process, before fieldwork begins.

The data management system should:

• Provide a traceable pathway covering all activities from collection of samples in the field to disposal.
• Allow storage and retrieval of original field data sheets, laboratory analysis data and associated reports for a specified period of time, including hard and electronic copies.
• Allow for consolidation of data from different sources, such as different types of equipment or other WQM programs within the catchment.
• Produce data of a known quality. Therefore, QA and QC procedures, including cross-checking of data, must be built into the system.
• Facilitate ease of analysis of the data.
• Allow for production of sufficiently detailed reports of a consistent format. For example, some types of databases can be designed to automatically generate reports based on templates.
• Include clear and detailed written procedures for the above.

Where practicable consideration should be given to managing data in an integrated way that is comparable with other programs across a catchment, region or state.

The Australian Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting 2000 discuss data storage and laboratory data reporting issues (Section 5.4.) including:

• System design considerations
• Data tracking· Screening and Verification· Harmonisation of data
• Retrieval and sharing of data in databases