What is the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring System (AWQMS)?

The Ambient Water Quality Monitoring System (AWQMS) Exit is a data management system for ambient water quality data.

The system was designed by EPA Region 8 states to be fully compatible with the WQX schema. It is well suited for small systems that currently do not have a database on the means to generate XML files.

While AWQMS is compatible with Water Quality Exchange (WQX), EPA does not support it.

How does AWQMS function?

AWQMS is a highly configurable import module that supports a wide array of import formats.

The system provides query pages for identifying data and detail pages for updating and deleting records. In addition, AWQMS supports Flat File Export. It is used to facilitate data review and analysis in products like Microsoft Excel, where charts and graphs can be configured and obtained.

Does AWQMS have the same kind of data as WQX? How do the two databases differ?

AWQMS is a distributed database and WQX is a data standard supported EPA. AWQMS is not supported by EPA, however it is an option for states to use to submit data via XML.

To submit data to EPA, a user needs to utilize WQX as of September 30, 2009 it will be EPA's primary means of water quality data exchange.

I am a user with my own personal database, what are my options to submit data after September 30, 2009?

If a user has a database and is able to generate an XML, then the user can submit the XML file directly to WQX via the Exchange Network and CDX.

If a user has a database or spread sheets, but does not have the ability to generate an XML file, the user can use WQX Web to generate the XML.

I am a user with a small system and/ or no personal database, what are my options to submit data after September 30, 2009?

If a user does not have a personal database, that user can choose to use AWQMS to store data and submit data to WQX. If the user is the owner of a small system then they can use WQX Web to generate an XML file for submissions to WQX.