QUALITY OF WATER BRANCH TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 88_05

                            DRAFT

                                        September 1, 1988 



OFFICE OF WATER QUALITY TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 88.05

Subject: National Water Information System (NWIS) - Global 
         Updates to Water-Quality File

                        Introduction

This memorandum provides background information and detailed 
specifications for several global updates to be made to the 
NWIS Water-Quality File.  Updates are to be made for 
alkalinity, the carbonate species (bicarbonate, carbonate, 
hydroxide), kjeldahl nitrogen, dissolved lead, 1,2 
dibromoethane (EDB), and several gage height, datum, and
elevation related parameters codes.  The bulk of the updates 
involve the movement of data from one parameter code to 
another, especially from 90000 level codes (not recognized by 
EPA STORET) to regular EPA STORET codes.  Most of the 
discussion, however, deals with alkalinity and the carbonate 
species.  The alkalinity problem has been evolving for 
several years and the correction process is very complex.  In 
order to help the Division's field personnel understand how 
the update criteria were developed, the following discussion 
includes (1) a detailed chronology of the events that 
produced the problem; (2) a discussion of the basic concepts
of the parameter code and emerging method code systems and 
how misunderstanding and misuse of these systems have 
contributed to the problem; (3) a discussion of alkalinity 
and its measurement; and (4) a detailed listing of the 
criteria to be used to effect the updates.

                         Alkalinity

Since 1980, there have been nine Office of Water Quality 
Technical Memorandums (four of which were NASQAN 
Implementation Memos) and one WRD Bulletin Series article 
(Oct - Dec, 1981) which have discussed the subject of 
alkalinity and the carbonate species.  The purpose of those 
discussions was to try to develop a policy regarding the 
methodology of determination and the parameter codes to use 
to store the data in the Water-Quality Data Base.  
Unfortunately, the result of those efforts has been a very 
high level of confusion and misuse of the water-quality data 
base system.  The purpose of this memorandum is to (1) put 
the past eight years into perspective, (2) describe proposed 
changes to the data base, and (3) establish new policy 
regarding which parameter codes and method codes to use for 
storing alkalinity and carbonate species data.

The memorandums and article mentioned above are as follows:

No.      Date                         Subject

80.27    9/19/80      WATER QUALITY -- New Parameter Codes 
                      for pH, Alkalinity, Specific 
                      Conductance, and Carbonate/Bicarbonate

        10/08/80      Correction to Tech Memo 80.27

81.04   11/12/80      WATER QUALITY -- Assignment of 
                      Parameter Codes for pH, Alkalinity,
                      Specific Conductance and Hydroxide/ 
                      Carbonate/Bicarbonate Data

82.05   12/11/81      WATER QUALITY -- Provisional Method for 
                      Carbonate, Dissolved; Bicarbonate, 
                      Dissolved; and Carbonate Alkalinity, 
                      Dissolved; Electrometric Titration, 
                      Incremental, Field

Oct-Dec  1981         WRD Bulletin -- Incremental Field 
                      Titration of Bicarbonate by
                      Michael C.  Yurewicz, pp 8-13.

82.06   01/22/82      PUBLICATIONS -- Policy on Publishing 
                      Constituents with Both Field and 
                      Laboratory Values

84.16   09/13/84      PROGRAMS AND PLANS -- National Water- 
                      Quality Networks: Fiscal Year 1985-- 
                      October 1, 1984, to September 30, 1985

85.19   09/18/85      PROGRAMS AND PLANS -- National Water- 
                      Quality Networks: Fiscal Year 1986-- 
                      October 1, 1985, to September 30, 1986

86.10   09/30/86      PROGRAMS tND PLANS -- National Water- 
                      Quality Networks: Fiscal Year 1987-- 
                      October 1, 1986, to September 30, 1987

87.01   11/14/86      WATER QUALITY -- Changes to Parameter 
                      Codes for Alkalinity and the Carbonate 
                      Species

88.01   10/09/87      PROGRAMS AND PLANS -- National Water- 
                      Quality Networks: Fiscal Year 1988-- 
                      October 1, 1987, to September 30, 1988



The WRD water-quality data base system has the capacity to 
store important ancillary information about measured 
constituents.  Some of this information may be relevant to 
all constituents stored in the record.  Thus, the structure 
provides selected bytes of information at the analysis level 
in the record, i.e., date, time, medium code, hydrologic 
condition code, etc.  Other information is relevant to 
specific constituents and is therefore stored with the 
constituent at the parameter level, i.e., remark codes.
method codes, precision codes, and quality assurance codes.

The parameter code, which is used to identify each measured 
constituent in the record, defines a specific set of 
attributes about the constituent such as its unique chemical 
species, the sampling matrix (water, sediment, etc.), filter 
size, analysis recovery (total, recoverable), reporting 
form,(CaCO3, etc.), and reporting units (mg/L, mg/kg, etc.).

The current problem with respect to alkalinity and the 
carbonate species data in the data base stems from the fact 
that not all of the above described data base functionalities 
existed when Tech Memos 80.27 and 81.04 were issued.  Some of 
these features (method codes, precision codes, quality
assurance codes, etc.) were added to the QW record structure 
in March 1983.  The implementation of the method code system 
is just beginning.  Parameter code subtleties and the method 
code system are the key players in the current data base 
problem.  A brief discussion of each follows.

                      Parameter Codes

The USGS uses the 5-digit parameter code system developed by 
EPA in the l96O's for its STORET System.  Many other 
governmental agencies also use this system.  EPA has assigned 
approximately 10,000 codes of which the USGS uses about 
4,000.  We also use about 5,000 additional 5-digit codes with
values greater than 90000.  These 90000 level codes are only 
for internal use by the USGS and thus are neither recognized 
nor stored by the STORET system.  The bulk of the data stored 
under 90000 level codes are biological data transferred from 
the Atlanta Laboratory Biological Data System.  However, 
other legitimate data also have been stored under 90000 level 
codes in the absence of STORET codes.

An intensive research effort into the EPA parameter code 
system by the Office of Water Quality at the request of the 
USGS Data Standards Committee has revealed serious flaws,
inconsistencies, and shortcomings in this system.  As a 
result of this effort, a new protocol for restating the 
parameter code description has been developed.  The new 
protocol is being applied to all EPA/USGS parameter
codes.  Each of the parameter codes has also been indexed 
into a system of sampling medium categories (whole water, dry 
atmospheric deposition, bulk waste, street debris, etc) ; 
general physical/chemical categories (nutrients, minor 
elements, agricultural organics, etc.); and specific
physical/chemical categories (flow, calcium, nitrate, 
halogenated hydrocarbons, etc.).  A separate data base is 
being used for this purpose and the new descriptions are not 
being implemented in the NWIS Parameter Code Dictionary at 
this time, but it is anticipated that the redesigned NWIS-II
data base will include the new descriptions in its parameter 
code dictionary.  The new protocol does not change the 
originally intended definition of the parameter code, but in 
many cases there is a significant clarification of the 
intended meaning.  The result of this clarification will be 
to give the user more explicit information about the 
constituent in question - its sampling medium, filter and 
particle size characteristics, the TOTAL or RECOVERABLE 
distinction, the reporting form.  and the reporting units.  
When new parameter codes are needed, the requestor will be 
required to supply more definitive information about the 
constituent to be stored than has been required in the past.  
The redescribed parameter codes and the protocol will be 
submitted for consideration as a USGS data standard for 
parameter codes.  The EPA parameter code system is not an 
official data standard; however, it has evolved to being a 
de facto standard.

Of the parameter codes available at the time Tech Memos 80.27 
and 81.04 were issued, many had descriptions that were to 
general to meet the unperceived subtleties implied in those 
memos.  Many of the codes needed were not available and a 
preliminary decision was made to use 90000 level codes to
store the data.  This meant that data stored under the 90000 
level codes would not be transferred to STORET until new 
codes were requested and received from EPA.

                         Method Codes

The method code functionality came along in March of 1983 
when the latest version of the AMDAHL water-quality data 
system came on line.  This functionality was brought about by 
the fact that many constituents could be determined by more 
than one analytical method.  Even if only one method was
available for a given constituent, there was an increasing 
interest in having information about the method stored in the 
data base.  The method code consists of a single alphanumeric 
character stored with each appropriate parameter code.  The 
Branch of Analytical Services has adopted the combination of 
the parameter code and the method code as its new laboratory 
code to eventually replace its older system of laboratory 
codes that few in the field used or understood.  An important 
result of this is that when fully implemented there will be 
only one system for identifying a constituent and its method 
of determination for both the lab and the field.  The BAS has 
been assigning method codes for a couple of years and has 
been entering them into the QW records sent to the Districts.  
However, access to and utilization of the method codes in the 
data base will not be available until a method code data base 
and changes to the data base software are implemented, 
possibly before NWIS-II.  Preliminary design of the 
functional specifications for the Method Code System is 
underway in the Office of Water Quality.

Although the method code has been around since 1983, 
appropriate codes for use with alkalinity and the carbonate 
species have only been defined in the last year.  The method 
codes for use with alkalinity and carbonate species parameter 
codes are as follows:

Code            Definition

A      Fixed Endpoint Titration

B      Incremental Titration

C      Phenolphthalein Indicator
        (Colorless to Pink in pH range 8.2 - 10.0)

D      Bromo Thymol Blue Indicator (pH change at: 
        (Red to Yellow in pH range 1.2 - 2.8) 
        (Yellow to Blue in pH range 8.0 - 9.6)

E      Methyl Orange Indicator
        (Red to Yellow in pH range 3.2 - 4.4)

F      Low Level Grans Plot

Z      Indicates that the analysis was done by fixed endpoint 
       titration, but it is unknown whether it was done in 
       the field or laboratory.  This applies to analyses 
       done prior to October 1, 1980.


                        THE PROBLEM

The objective of Office of Water Quality Technical 
Memorandums 80.27 and 81.04 was to 1ntroduce the Division to 
the incremental titration method of determining alkalinity in 
both the field and the laboratory.  The incremental titration 
method specifies that the titration is made to the 
stoichiometric (equilibrium) endpoint of the bicarbonate 
and/or other proton acceptor species in the solution rather 
than titration to a fixed endpoint, usually pH 4.5.  The 
term alkalinity is historically defined as the titration to 
pH 4.5, however, the Office of Water Quality considers 
alkalinity to be a gross measurement of all acid neutralizing 
species in a solution by titration with a standard acid
regardless of the targeted endpoint - stoichiometric, fixed 
endpoint, indicator.

With the introduction of an additional method of determining 
alkalinity, it was deemed necessary to make a distinction in 
the data base between alkalinity values determined by the 
different methods.  At that time the method code concept had 
not been developed and thus the proposed method of 
distinction was to make available separate parameter codes 
for each method.  It was proposed that parameter codes to be 
used for incremental titration determinations of alkalinity 
use the term 'carbonate alkalinity' in the parameter code
description.  This is now considered a misuse of the term 
'carbonate alkalinity' because the incremental titration 
method does not necessarily determine the sum of just the 
carbonate and bicarbonate species in the solution to the
exclusion of all other acid neutralizing species, such as 
hydroxide, phosphates, borates, silicates, organic compounds, 
etc.that might be present.

Several parameter codes, however, were requested from EPA 
with the term 'carbonate alkalinity' in the description.  
These codes are now considered to be improperly described and 
will be either redescribed in the Parameter Code Dictionary 
or the data moved to more appropriate alkalinity parameter 
codes.  In some cases this redescription process has resulted 
in redundant codes, e.g. 00410 and 00431; 00417 and 00421: 
00416 and 00418.  The redundant codes will be removed from 
the parameter code dictionary and EPA will be notified of the 
redundancy as well as the need to redescribe several USGS 
requested codes.

One existing EPA parameter code at that time was slated to be 
used as one of the 'carbonate alkalinity' codes because it 
appeared to suit the need at that time.  However, this code, 
00430 (ALKALINITY. CARBONATE, MG/L AS CACO3), was actually 
defined for a different constituent: carbonate reported as
calcium carbonate.  Recent research has shown that code 00430 
was created by EPA at the same time as codes 00425 
(ALKALINITY, BICARBONATE, MG/L AS CACO3) and 00420 
(ALKALINITY, HYDROXIDE, MG/L AS CACO3).  None of these codes 
are for alkalinity but rather for the individual ions 
indicated.  Values are reported as CaCO3 rather than as the 
ion concentrations.  Therefore, the use of code 00430 to 
store the results of an alkalinity titration, which WRD has 
done for the past several years, is not correct

Not all of the codes required to implement Memo 80.27 were 
requested from EPA at the same time.  In fact, several codes 
have only recently been received.  As an interim measure, 
90000 level codes were defined internally by WRD to fill the 
gap.  Parameter codes with values greater than 90000 are not 
recognized by STORET and can be defined and used in any way 
deemed necessary by individual agencies.  Thus, data that 
normally should have been transmitted to STORET have remained 
in WATSTORE.

During this period, the field offices were also given 
instructions to perform alkalinity measurements on filtered 
samples, mainly for the NASQAN and Benchmark programs.  
Appropriate codes for dissolved alkalinity and the carbonate 
species were not available and the field offices were 
instructed to store the data under supposedly unused whole 
water codes until such time as the proper codes were 
received.  Headquarters would correct the data base when the 
proper codes were in place.

                            The Fix

Although we are able to store the data properly from this 
point ajustments to parameter codes of previously stored data 
are needed for consistency.  The list of parameter codes in 
Table 1 is the result of a research effort to identify the 
appropriate parameter codes and method codes to store 
alkalinity and carbonate species data.  This list of codes 
differs somewhat from the codes that were suggested in Tech 
memo 87.01, which was issued not as official policy but only 
as an indicator of Office of Water Quality plans for the 
action to be taken subsequent to this memorandum.

The Office of Water Quality and the NWIS Program Office have 
spent the past year developing the criteria and software to 
make appropriate corrections to the data base.  The details 
of the changes to be made are given in tables 2 through 6 in 
the attachment to this memo.  The proposed list of update
criteria is based on responses to Office of Water Quality 
Technical Memorandums 87.01 and 88.09 and other 
communications with Division personnel.  The criteria are 
primarily designed to (1) move data stored under 90000 level 
codes to appropriate EPA codes; (2) move dissolved data
stored under whole water codes (00410, 00419, 99430, 00450, 
00447, and 71832) to appropriate dissolved codes (39086B, 
39086B, 39086B, 00452B, 00453B and 71834B, respectively); and 
(3) consolidate data under the redundant codes discussed 
above.  The actions proposed under item 2 above are primarily 
for NASQAN and Benchmark data for fiscal years 1986 and 1987,
but it is acknowledged that selected Districts may have 
stored alkalinity data from whole water as well as dissolved 
samples at other stations under these codes.

Although we have given a great deal of thought and time to 
this effort, including discussions with the Regional QW 
Specialists; the Branch of Analytical Services, the National 
Research Program and District personnel there will invariably 
be exceptions in individual District data bases that will 
defeat the purpose of our criteria.  It is possible that the 
criteria, when applied, will produce complications to these 
data bases.  Realistically, there is not much that can be 
done about this, except for the Districts to make selected 
updates to their data bases, either before or after the 
execution of the update program, to conform to the policy 
being developed for alkalinity and carbonate species.

In developing the criteria for making changes to the data 
base, several assumptions had to be made.  Some of these 
assumptions could have a negative impact on some District 
data bases because not all Districts followed the 
instructions in the previously listed memorandums.  These
assumptions are discussed subsequently.  Most of the changes 
are relatively straight forward and involve moving data 
stored under 90000 level codes to actual EPA codes and 
assigning appropriate method codes.

             Alkalinity Assumptions and Notes

o All alkalinity data stored under parameter code 00410 with 
  collection dates prior to October 1, 1980, will be assigned 
  a method code of "Z".  Prior to October 1, 1980, parameter 
  code 00410 was used to store alkalinity data by fixed 
  endpoint titration to pH 4.5.  The"Z" method code is used 
  for distinguishing the fact that although most of the 
  analyses were done in the laboratory, an indeterminate 
  number were done in the field.  Tech Memo 81.04 designated 
  parameter code 00410 for the field determination of 
  alkalinity using the fixed endpoint titration method.  The 
  laboratory catalog for FY 1981 officially announced the 
  change to parameter code 90410 for the laboratory 
  determination of alkalinity by fixed endpoint titration.
  Code 90410 will be replaced by EPA code 00417A.

o All alkalinity data stored under parameter code 00410 with 
  collection dates after September 30, 1980, will be assigned
  a method code of "A", signifying that the data were 
  determined in the field using the fixed endpoint titration 
  method.  There should be little data in the data base under 
  this code for this period because Tech Memos 80.27 and
  81.04 initiated the policy of doing field alkalinity by 
  incremental titration under parameter code 99430 as of 
  October 1, 1980.  Parameter code 99430 will be replaced 
  with STORET parameter code 00419B (water, whole, 
  incremental titration, field, mg/L).

o Data stored under code 00430 will be moved to code OO4lOA
  as will data stored under code 00431 if code OO4lOA is not 
  already occupied (unlikely).  Data under redundant code 
  00421 will be moved to code 00417A, and data under code 
  00418 will be moved to code 00416B.  Codes 00431, 00421
  and 00418 will be removed from the Parameter Code 
  Dictionary.  As stated above, the proper use of code 00430 
  is for carbonate data reported as CaCO3 in mg/L.

o NASQAN Implementation Memo 85.19 (FY 1986) instructed field 
  offices to filter samples before analyzing for alkalinity 
  using the incremental titration technique (parameter code 
  99430) and by fixed endpoint titration (parameter code
  00410).  NASQAN Implementation Memo 86.10 (FY 1987) 
  instructed the field to use code 00419 instead of 99430.  
  Code 00419, however, is for whole water samples and was to 
  be used only temporarily until code 39086 (water, 
  dissolved, incremental titration, field, mg/L) could be 
  assigned by EPA.  To our knowledge no unfiltered data 
  should be stored under 00419.  Therefore, all alkalinity 
  data stored under parameter code 00419 will be moved to
  parameter code 39086B, and all data stored under parameter 
  code 99430 with collection dates after September 30, 1985, 
  will be moved to 39086B, if 00419 is not already occupied. 
   For data with collection dates prior to October 1, 1985, 
  data stored under code 99430 will be be moved to 00419B. 
   Parameter code 99430 will be removed from the Parameter 
  Code Dictionary.  Likewise, for data with collection dates 
  after September 30, 1985, data stored under code 00410 will 
  be moved to code 39036A (water, dissolved, fixed endpoint,
  field, mg/L).

                       Bicarbonate Notes

o NASQAN Implementation Memos 85.19 and 86.10 provided for
  using code 99440 in 1986 and code 00450 in 1987 for storing 
  bicarbonate data determined by incremental titration on 
  filtered samples, even though these codes are for whole 
  water samples.  Data collected in 1986 and 1987 and stored 
  under these codes will be transferred to STORET code 00453B
  (bicarbonate, water, dissolved, incremental titration, 
  field, mg/L).

                       Carbonate Notes

o Similarly, carbonate data collected and stored under 
  parameter codes 99445 and 00447 during the 1986 and 1987 
  water years, respectively, will be moved to STORET code 
  00452B (carbonate, water, dissolved, incremental titration,
  field, mg/L).

                       Hydroxide Notes

o Similarly, hydroxide data collected and stored under 
  parameter codes 99830 and 71832 during the 1986 and 1987 
  water years, respectively, will be moved to STORET code
  71834B (hydroxide, water, dissolved, incremental titration, 
  field, mg/L).


 Parameter Code List for Alkalinity and the Carbonate Species

Table 1 gives the list of parameter codes recommended for use 
by WRD to store alkalinity and the carbonate species for 
combinations of LAB, FIELD, FIXED ENDPOINT TITRATION, 
INCREMENTAL TITRATION, GRANS PLOT, WHOLE WATER SAMPLE, 
DISSOLVED SAMPLE.  A second attachment (Tables 11-14) has  
been added for references purposes listing all EPA parameter 
codes for alkalinity, carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxide.  
Codes in the USGS Parameter Code Dictionary are designated by 
a "2" in the AGENCY column.  Codes that are slated to be 
removed from the PCD are indicated by an 'N' in the 
'Recommended for WRD Use' column.  The original EPA parameter 
code descriptions have been restated using the new parameter 
code description protocol.



Notice that many of these code descriptions contain a 
reference to the method used.  This appears to be in conflict 
with the purpose of the method code and one could make a 
reasonable argument for excluding the method reference in the 
description.  But the Office of Water Quality, the Branch of 
Analytical Services, the Branch of Quality Assurance, and the 
Regional QW Specialists have agreed that the inclusion of the 
method indicator in the parameter code description for 
alkalinity and the carbonate species parameter codes is 
appropriate for the time being because the data base has many 
examples of multiple alkalinity measurements - fixed endpoint 
and incremental titration - and the present data base can 
only acconmodate a single occurrence of a given parameter 
code in an analysis.  Full implementation of the method code
system and the ability to store multiple occurrences of a 
parameter code in a record in NWIS-II will eliminate the need 
to maintain so many parameter codes.  At that time, the 
number of parameter codes for alkalinity and carbonate 
species can be significantly reduced.

      Additional Data Base Changes To Be Performed

In addition to the changes to the data base described 
previously, the following changes are to be performed.


As a result of the above changes to the alkalinity and 
carbonate species parameter codes, changes will also be made 
to the algorithms used to compute noncarbonate hardness.  
Tables 7 through 10 list the noncarbonate algorithms for 
whole water, field: whole water, lab; water, dissolved, 
field; and water, dissolved, lab, respectively.  The 
algorithms are listed in reverse polish notation, which is 
used internally by the software, but is presented here to 
show the priority order of the species that are to be used in 
the calculation.  For example, in table 7, which describes the 
calculation of parameter code 00902 (noncarbonate hardness, 
water, whole, as CACO3, mg/l),  CALCIUM, TOTAL (00916) is 
used in preference to CALCIUM, RECOVERABLE (00918).  Calcium 
and magnesium are required constituents, while strontium and 
barium used only if available.  Also note that either of the 
bicarbonate and carbonate species combinations are used in 
preference to one of the three possible alkalinity parameter
codes.

As described in Office of Water Quality Technical Memorandum 
86.06, June 16, 1986, data collected for parameter codes 
00623, 00636, and 82451 (nitrogen, ammonia plus organic, 
dissolved) will be adjusted to the minimum reporting
level, 0.2 mg/L.


As described in Memorandum 86.07, June 16, 1986, data 
collected for parameter codes 01049 and 01051 (lead, 
dissolved and recoverable) will be adjusted to the minimum 
reporting level, 5 ug/L.

EPA has provided parameter codes for the metric form of the 
constituents described in the following list:


Old         New
Parameter   Parameter
Code        Code       Description

99065       30207      Gage Height, Distance above Datum, 
                       Meters 99060 30208 Discharge, Cubic 
                       Meters Per Second 99061 30209 
                       Discharge, Instantaneous, Cubic Meters
                       Per Second
99019       30210      Water Level, Depth Below Land Surface
                       Datum (LSD), Meters
99020       30211      Elevation Above National Geodetic 
                       Vertical Datum (NGVD), Meters

Data for the old parameter codes will be moved to the new 
parameter codes.  Data under the old codes will be deleted 
from the data base.  The old codes will be removed from the 
Parameter Code Dictionary.

The Office of Water Quality and the Branch of Analytical 
Services have verified that EDB (1,2 dibromoethane and 
ethylene dibromide) data have been stored under the wrong 
code.  All EDB data from the Central Lab has been stored 
under parameter code 39082.  This code is actually for 
1,2 dibromoethylene (1,2 dibromoethene and acetylene 
dibromide are synonyms), which is a different compound.  The 
CAS number for EDB is 106934 and the CAS number for 1,2
dibromoethylene is 590125.  All data stored under parameter 
code 39082 will be moved to parameter code 77651 (1,2 DIBROMO 
ETHANE, WATER, WHOLE, TOTAL, UG/L). The Central Lab will 
begin using code 77651 at the beginning of the new fiscal 
year.  Although code 77651 is for a "TOTAL" analysis, in
actuality the analysis is a "RECOVERABLE" analysis.  The 
reconciliation of the TOTAL vs RECOVERABLE problem in the 
parameter code system will be addressed in a subsequent data 
base update.

                  Data Base Update Schedule

After the update software has been modified to incorporate as 
many District exceptions as possible it will be run against 
test data bases for final refinement.  The software will then 
be sent to each District for execution against the District 
QW data base.  Once the Districts have updated their data 
bases and made a transfer to the AMDAHL WATSTORE data base, 
similar update software will be run against the AMDAHL data 
base to pick up missed historical data that the Districts may 
not have resident on their local data bases.  All contacts 
regarding this project should be made to Jim Schornick of the 
Office of Water Quality staff (EDOC JCSCHORNICK or FTS 
959-6867) ; Dave Maddy of the NWIS Program staff.(EDOC
DVMADDY or FTS 959-5689) ; or John Briggs of the NWIS Program 
staff (EDOC JBRIGGS or FTS 959-5624).

It is recognized that data base actions of this type may 
cause some hardship on the District's data base management 
program, but the integrity of the data base is part of WRD's 
primary mission.  As new problems in the data base are
recognized and researched, update criteria and software will 
be developed by the Office of Water Qua1ity and the NWIS 
Program Office to effect appropriate changes.  A considerable 
amount of effort is being put into the design of NWIS-II, the 
next generation of the WRD data base system, to provide the 
data base users with sufficient functionality to insure that 
our hydrologic data are stored under the correct identifiers 
with the least amount of ambiguity.  Your cooperation and 
contributions in these efforts are welcomed and encouraged


                                        (unsigned)

                                     David A. Rickert

Attachments

WRD Distribution: A, B, S, FO, PO 
Key Words: Water Quality, National Water Information System 
           (NWIS), data base, updates, alkalinity.  
           carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide

This memorandum supplements Office of Water Quality Technical 
Memorandum 87.01.


=======================================================================

TABLES:

Tables 1 to 10 are presented below in this document.

Tables 11 to 14 are presented as separate graphical documents.

Table 11
Table 12
Table 13
Table 14

=======================================================================


Table 1 -- Parameter codes and method codes for the storage of
	alkalinity and carbonate species data in the USGS
	National Water Information System (NWIS) Water-Quality
	File.



				ALKALINITY	BICARBONATE	CARBONATE	HYDROXIDE
				(As CaC03 	(As HC03 	(As C03 	(As OH
			  	  MG/L)		  MG/L)		  MG/L)		  MG/L)

			FIXED	 00410A	 	 00440A		 00445A		 71830A

	UNFILTERED	INCRM	 00419B		 00450B		 00447B		 71832B

			GRANS	 29813F		  N/A		  N/A		  N/A

FIELD
			FIXED	 39036A		 29804A		 29807A		 29810A

	FILTERED
			INCRM	 39086B		 00453B		 00452B		 71834B

			GRANS	 29802F		  N/A		  N/A		  N/A



			FIXED	 00417A		 00451A		 00448A		 71833A


	UNFILTERED 	INCRM	 00416B		 00449B		 00446B		 71831B

			GRANS	 00413F		  N/A		  N/A		  N/A

LAB		

			FIXED	 29801A		 29805A		 29808A		 29811A

	FILTERED	INCRM	 39087B	 	 29806B		 29809B		 29812B

			GRANS	 29803F		  N/A		  N/A		  N/A



Explanation: 		Method Codes

			A - Fixed Endpoint Titration
			B - Incremental Titration
			F - Low Level Grans Plot

			N/A - Parameter codes not available for this
				constituent.

	



Table 2 --Criteria for updating alkalinity data stored in the USGS
	National Water Information System Water-Quality File.

ACTION
ITEM
NUMBER		   CONDITION			ACTION

1		00419	Occupied	Move 00419 to 39086B
					Delete 00419

					COMMENT: Assumes filtered sample (NASQAN)

2		39086	Missing	&	Move 99430 to 39086B
		99430 Occupied &	Delete 99430
		Date >09/30/85

					COMMENT: Assumes filtered sample (NASQAN)

3		00413 Occupied		Move 00413 to 00413F
					Delete, if present, 00410C, 00410F

4		00410C Occupied &	Move 00410C to 00413F
		00413 Missing		Delete 00410C and,
					if present, 0041OF

5		00410F Occupied &	Move 00410F to 00413F
		00413 Missing		Delete 00410F

6		00410 Occupied &	Move 00410 to 00410Z
		Date <10/01/80
					COMMENT: The vast majority of data stored
					under this code prior to Oct 1, 1980, was done
					in the laboratory by the fixed endpoint
					titration method; however, an indeterminate
					number of analyses were done in the field.
					After September 30, 1980, code 00410 is
					officially for "FIELD" determinations by fixed
					endpoint titration.


7		00410 Occupied &	Move 00410 to 00410A
 		Date between
 		9/30/80 and		COMMENT: Assumes a field determination
 		10/01/85		by fixed endpoint titration.
					See Tech Memos 80.27 & 81.04.
	
8		00410 Occupied	&	Move 00410 to 39036A
		Date >9/30/85
					COMMENT: Assumes analyses were done on a
					filtered sample as per Tech Memos 85.19 &
					86.10

	
Table 2 --Criteria for updating alkalinity data stored in the USGS
	National Water Information System Water-Quality File-
	Continued.

ACTION
ITEM
NUMBER		   CONDITION			ACTION

9		00430   Occupied &	Move 00430 to 00410A
		00410A  Missing		Delete 00430

10		00431   Occupied &	Move 00431 to 00410A
		00410A  Missing		Delete 00431

11		00417   Occupied	Move 00417 to 00417A
					Delete, if present, 95430,
					90410, 95410

12		00417	Missing	&	Move 95430 to 00417A
		95430	Occupied 	Delete 95430 and,
					if present, 90410, 95410

13		00417	Missing	&	Move 90410 to 00417A
		90410	Occupied 	Delete 90410 and, if present, 95410

14		00417	Missing	&	Move 95410 to 00417A
		95410	Occupied 	Delete 95410

15		00421	Occupied & 	Move 00421 to 00417A
		00417A  Missing		Delete 00421

16		00416	Occupied 	Move 00416 to 00416B
					Delete, if present, 90430

17		00416	Missing	&	Move 90430 to 00416B
		90430	Occupied 	Delete 90430

18		00418	Occupied & 	Move 00418 to 00416B
		00416B  Missing		Delete 00418

19		00419	Missing	&	Move 99430 to 00419B
		99430	Occupied 	Delete 99430

20		00415	Occupied	Move 00415 to 00415C

21		46005	Occupied	Move 46005 to 46005D

22		00411	Occupied	Move 00411 to 00411E

23		00409	Occupied	Move 00409 to 00409F
						
	

Table 3 --Criteria for updating bicarbonate data stored in the USGS
	National Water Information System Water-Quality File.

ACTION
ITEM
NUMBER			CONDITION		ACTION

24		00453   Occupied	Move 00453 to 00453B

25		00453   Missing	&	Move 00450 to 00453B
		00450   Occupied	Delete 00450

					COMMENT: Assumes filtered sample (NASQAN)

26		00453   Missing	&	Move 99440 to 00453B
		99440   Occupied &	Delete 99440
		Date >09/30/85
					COMMENT: Assumes filtered sample (NASQAN)

27		00440   Occupied	Move 00440 to 00440A

28		00449   Occupied	Move 00449 to 00449B
					Delete, if present, 90440

29		00449   Missing	&	Move 90440 to 00449B
		90440   Occupied	Delete 90440

30		00451   Occupied	Move 00451 to 00451A
					Delete, if present, 95440

31		00451   Missing	&	Move 95440 to 00451A
		95440   Occupied	Delete 95440

32		00450   Occupied	Move 00450 to 00450B
					Delete, if present, 99440

33		00450   Missing	&	Move 99440 to 00450B
		99440   Occupied	Delete 99440

34		00425 Occupied		Move 00425 to 00425A




Table 4 --Criteria for updating carbonate data stored in the USGS
	National Water Information System Water-Quality File.


ACTION
ITEM
NUMBER			CONDITION		ACTION

35		00452   Occupied	Move 00452 to 00452B

36		00452   Missing	&	Move 00447 to 00452B
		00447   Occupied	Delete 00447


					COMMENT: Assumes filtered sample (NASQAN)

37		00452   Missing	&	Move 99445 to 00452B
		99445   Occupied &	Delete 99445
		Date >09/30/85

					COMMENT: Assumes filtered sample (NASQAN)

38		00445   Occupied	Move 00445 to 00445A

39		00446   Occupied	Move 00446 to 00446B
					Delete, if present, 90445

40		00446   Missing	&	Move 90445 to 00446B
		90445 	Occupied	Delete 90445

41		00448   Occupied	Move 00448 to 00448A
					Delete, if present, 95445

42		00448   Missing	&	Move 95445 to 00448A
		95445   Occupied	Delete 95445

43		00447   Occupied	Move 00447 to 00447B
					Delete, if present, 99445

44		00447   Missing	&	Move 99445 to 00447B
		99445   Occupied	Delete 99445




Table 5 --Criteria for updating hydroxide data stored in the USGS
	National Water Information System Water-Quality File.

ACTION
ITEM
NUMBER			CONDITION		ACTION

45		71834   Occupied	Move 71834 to 71834B

46		71834   Missing	&	Move 71832 to 71834B
		71832   Occupied	Delete 71832

					COMMENT: Assumes filtered sample (NASQAN)

47		71834   Missing	&	Move 99830 to 71834B
		99830   Occupied &	Delete 99830
		Date >09/30/85

					COMMENT: Assumes filtered sample (NASQAN)
	
48		71830   Occupied	Move 71830 to 71830A

49		71831   Occupied	Move 71831 to 71831B
					Delete, if present, 90830

50		71831   Missing	&	Move 90830 to 71831B
		90830   Occupied	Delete 90830

51		71833   Occupied	Move 71833 to 71833A
					Delete, if present, 95830

52		71833   Missing	&	Move 95830 to 71833A
		95830   Occupied	Delete 95830

53		00420   Occupied	Move 00420 to 00420A

54		71832   Occupied	Move 71832 to 71832B
					Delete, if present, 99830

55		71832   Missing	&	Move 99830 to 71832B
		99830   Occupied	Delete 99830




Table 6 --Criteria for updating non-carbonate hardness data stored in the
	USGS National Water Information System Water-Quality File.

ACTION
ITEM
NUMBER			CONDITION		ACTION

56		00903   Occupied &	Delete 95902
		95902   Occupied

57		00903   Missing &	Move 95902 to 00903 (No Method Code)
		95902   Occupied	Delete 95902





Table 7 --Computation algorithm, in reverse Polish notation, for non-
	carbonate hardness in an unfiltered water sample using field
	determined alkalinity or carbonate species data.

Whole Water, Field - 00902

	    0.000000000 2			00419.000000000 1	(Alk, fld)
	00916.000000000 1   (Ca total)		00410.000000000 1	(Alk, fld)
	00918.000000000 1   (Ca total rec)	29813.000000000 1	(Alk, fld)
	    0.000000000 8   			    0.000000000 8
	    0.050000000 2			    O.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 5			   50.050000000 2
	00927.000000000 1   (Mg total)		    0.000000000 6
	00921.000000000 1   (Mg total rec)	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 8			    0.000000000 2
	    0.082290000 2			    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 5			    0.000000000 4
	    0.000000000 3			   50.050000000 2
	01082.000000000 1   (Sr total)		    0.000000000 5
	01084.000000000 1   (Sr total rec)	    0.000000000 10
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000022830 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 3
	01007.000000000 1   (Ba total)
	01009.000000000 1   (Ba total rec)
	    O.000000000 8
	    0.000014560 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 3
	00450.000000000 1   (HCO3, fld)
	00440.000000000 1   (HCO3, fld)
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.016390000 2
	    0.000000000 5
	00447.000000000 1   (C03, fld)
	00445.000000000 1   (C03, fld)
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.033330000 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 3





Table 8 --Computation algorithm, in reverse Polish notation, for non-
	carbonate hardness in an unfiltered water sample using
	laboratory determined alkalinity or carbonate species data.

Whole Water, Lab - 00903

	    0.000000000 2			00416.000000000 1	(Alk, lab)
	00916.000000000 1   (Ca total)		00417.000000000 1	(Alk, Lab)
	00918.000000000 1   (Ca total rec)	00413.000000000 1	(Alk, lab)
	    0.000000000 8			    0.000000000 8
	    0.050000000 2		 	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 5			   50.050000000 2
	00927.000000000 1   (Mg total)		    0.000000000 6
	00921.000000000 1   (Mg total rec)	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 8			    0.000000000 2
	    0.082290000 2			    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 5			    0.000000000 4
	    0.000000000 3			   50.050000000 2
	01082.000000000 1   (Sr total)		    0.000000000 5
	01084.000000000 1   (Sr total rec)	    O.000000000 10
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000022830 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 3
	01007.000000000 1   (Ba total)
	01009.000000000 1   (Ba total rec)
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000014560 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 3
	00449.000000000 1   (HCO3, lab)
	00451.000000000 1   (HCO3, lab)
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.016390000 2
	    0.000000000 5
	00446.000000000 1   (C03, lab)
	00448.000000000 1   (C03, lab)
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.033330000 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000000000 8
	    




Table 9 --Computation algorithm, in reverse Polish notation, for non-
	carbonate hardness in a filtered water sample using field
	determined alkalinity or carbonate species data.

Water, Dissolved, Field - 00904

	    0.000000000 2			39086.000000000 1	(Alk, fld)
	00915.000000000 1   (Ca)		39036.000000000 1	(Alk, fld)
	    0.050000000 2			29802.000000000 1	(Alk, fld)
	    O.000000000 5			    0.000000000 8
	00925.000000000 1   (Mg)		    0.000000000 8
	    0.082290000 2			   50.050000000 2
	    0.000000000 5			    0.000000000 6
	    0.000000000 3			    0.000000000 8
	01080.000000000 1   (Sr)	 	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000022830 2			    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 5			    0.000000000 4
	    0.000000000 2			   50.050000000 2
	    0.000000000 8			    O.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 3			    0.000000000 10
	01005.000000000 1   (Ba)
	    0.000014560 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 3
	00453.000000000 1   (HCO3, fld)
	29804.000000000 1   (HCO3, fld)
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.016380000 2
	    0.000000000 5
	00452.000000000 1   (C03, fld)
	29807.000000000 1   (C03, fld)
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.033330000 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 3





Table 10 --Computation algorithm, in reverse Polish notation, for non-
	carbonate hardness in a filtered water sample using
	laboratory determined alkalinity or carbonate species data.

Water, Dissolved, Lab - 00905

	    0.000000000 2			39087.000000000 1	(Alk, lab)
	00915.000000000 1   (Ca)		29801.000000000 1	(Alk, lab)
	    0.050000000 2			29003.000000000 1	(Alk, lab)
	    0.000000000 5			    0.000000000 8
	00925.000000000 1   (Mg)		    0.000000000 8
	    0.082290000 2			   50.050000000 2
	    0.000000000 5			    0.000000000 6
	    0.000000000 3			    0.000000000 8
	01080.000000000 1   (Sr)		    0.000000000 2
	    0.000022830 2			    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 5			    0.000000000 4
	    0.000000000 2			   50.050000000 2
	    0.000000000 8			    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 3			    0.000000000 10
	01005.000000000 1   (Ba)
	    0.000014560 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    O.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 3
	29806.000000000 1   (HCO3, lab)
	29805.000000000 1   (HCO3, lab
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.016380000 2
	    0.000000000 5
	29809.000000000 1   (C03, lab)
	29808.000000000 1   (C03, lab)
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.033330000 2
	    0.000000000 5
	    0.000000000 2
	    0.000000000 8
	    0.000000000 3