Other Benefits
The benefits of using the ADB will increase as
crosswalks continue to be developed with other
EPA data systems. By using the same lists of
impairments as STORET, the process of analyz-
ing the monitoring data in STORET to provide
the content for designated use attainment con-
clusions is made easier. Integration with the
WQS database will assist in the processing of
validating data information against state stan-
dards. The ADB will become the vehicle to
document new 303(d) listings. In the future,
EPA's TMDL Tracking Database will be cross-
walked with the ADB to simplify the process of
documenting TMDL approval and making
information on the pollution sources identified
in established TMDLs available for inclusion in
the ADB.
Personalized Hands-on Training
User Support and Training
EPA provides user support for states interested
in porting their legacy data into the new ADB.
On-site and on-line training opportunities will
be available for users interested in operating the
new ADB. Since GIS mapping is an important
complement to the ADB, training in mapping
tools based on the National Hydrography
Dataset (NHD) can easily be combined with
database support services.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Briefings and Training for Targeted Groups
More Information & Training
Contact information:
Gary McElhinney
EPA, Office of Water, Monitoring Branch
e-mail: mcelhinney.cary@epa.gov
phone: 202-566-1188
ADB Web site:
http://www.epa.gov/waters/adb
Toll Free Tech Support Helpline:
1-800-844-0638
Tech Support e-mail: owsupport@rti.org
Office of Water AWPD Monitoring Branch
EPA-841-F-02-001
Overview
The new Assessment Database (ADB) applica-
tion provides a consistent framework for manag-
ing water quality assessment data. The ADB is
designed to serve the needs of states, tribes, and
other water quality reporting agencies, as well as
EPA, for a range of water quality programs,
including the status of comprehensive water
quality assessment efforts, and the results of
Section 303(d) listing decisions. Waters on
303(d) lists then provide the frameworks needed
to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDLs) and help establish needed pollution
source controls. This integrated approach con-
solidates surface water assessments under
Sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Clean Water
Act, which significantly reduces the reporting
burden on states.
Why Use It?
The ADB was designed by water quality profes-
sionals to be easy to use, scalable, secure, robust,
maintainable, and GIS compatible. It provides a
cost-effective data system that:
Supports well documented, defensible water
quality assessments
Tracks temporal changes in water quality
attainment status and relates them to
management actions such as TMDLs
-------
Links existing water information systems
like STORE! and Water Quality Standards
Generates reports to satisfy the most critical
water quality manager or concerned citizen.
The Data
The ADB stores assessment results related to
water quality standards designated use attain-
ment (i.e. is a water supporting fish consump-
tion based on monitoring data), the pollution
associated with use impairments, and documen-
tation of probable pollution sources. The ADB
provides clearcut documentation for assessment
conclusions and facilitates linkages to other
important EPA information systems. Some
examples of links to other data systems include:
ADB designated use terms match the
information in EPA's Water Quality
Standards Database (WQSDB)
The selection of water quality impairment
terms and characteristics match the terms
used in EPA's STORET database
Terms to describe sources of pollution in
ADB match the source categories in EPA's
Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants
Reporting and Tracking System (GRTS).
^t^^^ys^^y^yy^viCfwS
DATABASE Version 2
USES I \
/ HI SOURCES
Water Quality
Standards Database
GRTS
ADB version 2
The core elements of ADB are described in
EPA's Guidance for 2004 Assessment, Listing
and Reporting Requirements Pursuant to
Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water
Act. This guidance is available on the Internet
at:
http://www.epa. gov/owow/tmdl/tmdlO 103/2004rpt
-guidance.pdf.
The ADB is designed to store assessments over
multiple reporting cycles. This provides the
foundation for tracking water quality improve-
ments through time, and allows the ADB to
document both the listing of new TMDL prob-
lems and the de-listing of waters where man-
agement actions have led to use attainment.
The Output
The ADB can be used to generate several pre-
formatted reports, as well as conventional data
tables and lists. The ADB also connects easily
with other desktop applications like Arc View
or Web-based mapping tools like the
EnviroMapper for Water to facilitate GIS pre-
sentatons of water quality assessment informa-
tion.
IID305B 1 CYCLE
N051 .in.1 .'<. 1,'Hii
TN051 30203026 1300
TN051 30203026 1300
TN051 30203026 1300
TN051 30203026 2000
TN051 30203026 2000
TN051 30203026 2000
TN051 30203026 2000
TN051 30203026 2000
TN051 30203027 0100
TN051 30203027 0100
TN051 30203027 0100
TN051 30203027 0100
TN0513Q203027 0110
TN0513Q203027 0110
TN0513Q203Q27 0110
TN051 30203027 0110
Nil-;,! in. .'. ii.
Nit.! in. .'; ii. 'mi
TN051 30203027 0200
TN051 30203027 1000
TN051 30203027 1000
l< I
2000
VATER NAME I STATE
Hill Creek TN
2000 Hollis Creek TN
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
Hollis Creek TN
HollisCreek JTN
aslFo Stones River TN
aslFo Stones River TN
aslFo Stones River TN
aslFo Stones River TN
aslFo Stones River TN
arson oik TN
-lD|x|
III:.F DE':.r [ATTAINMENT DE-
. c IT. V.'VH -. .'rn-l - ,' .iipri'-iiNnri
Fi;h und.^quahc bk h.illjj Supporting
Irrigation Fully Supporting
l.ivr?^l[i::i v.MjlPNr..;: ,jnr| i"..:1!1,1 '.'Upponmg
DcmeiNc Wak-r '.njfiplv Fullji Supporting
l-i;h ondPqiiahi; Life Killy Supporting
InduMri.blV/.jter Supply Fullv Supporting
Irrigation Fully Supporting
l.ive^or' '.'.' biF'iir.i^ and i-;:1!1,1 Supponing
rijl'i Tina 1>q;-:iiir Lite I-'.:!!1,1 Supporting
Larson oik TN |lirigation Fully Supporting
arson oik TN
arson oik TN
Haws Spring Fork TN
Haws Spring Fork TN
Haws Spring Fork TN
Haws Spring Fork TN
Shelton Branch TN
Shellon Branch TN
Shellon Branch TN
2000 BrawleysFork TN
2000
N|«| >|M|*
BrawleysFork TN
! ,...-.-|,-,.-i '.'.'=,rh-.r. -..- .inr! ! .'!,' ' .iipp. irimg
Recreation Fully Supporting
Fish andAqualic Lile Fully Supporting
Irrigation Fully Supporting
l.ive:.lii::i '.'.' ;3lprir-.,-.: .inil i-i:1!1,1 '..Mppi.irNnij
Recreation Fully Supporting
h;h ond.^qLohi; Liti? Killv Supporhng
Irrigation Fully Supporting
Live:.!/.::! V/s'F'rir.^ and i-u1!1,1 ''Upponing
l-i;h und P quaNi; bti? hjllv Supporting
Irrigation Fully Supporting -r
Records 1-3930
Output Data Table
The Software
ADB is built on an Oracle database. Using a
standard database framework makes it easy for
states to share their data with EPA and for indi-
vidual state ADB versions to be combined into
a national system. The Oracle foundation
means that a wealth of database administration
tools are available to ensure data integrity,
accommodate sophisticated security features,
and facilitate user access to appropriate portions
of the database within both desktop and net-
work environments. Visual Basic provides the
platform for the ADB's user interface. This
ensures an application where the front-end user
interface runs on ordinary PCs. The Oracle
back-end database can be installed to run on a
single-user PC, or the front-end module can be
configured to access a net-
work Oracle data server.
States using EPA's modern-
ized STORET should find
the new ADB particularly
easy to install.
ADB
Interface
Map of Designated Use Support
------- |