A.3 Data Certification and Audit
Hydrometric standards are for the purpose of acquiring data of known quality, and are achieved by following certain set procedures, including detailed documentation. It is necessary to undertake an independent review and approval process to confirm station operating information and final data. Using this process to define a standard is a common feature of a quality controlled system of hydrometric data collection.
The British Columbia hydrometric standards system recognizes that stations will be operated by a large variety of agencies, firms, or individuals. To maintain overall quality, data from all sources must be reviewed, approved and an appropriate standard level assigned by a qualified reviewer with a high level of skills and experience.
In future, it is intended to establish a system to test and certify RIC standard hydrometric reviewers. In the interim, Approved Reviewers will be designated on the basis of a review of qualifications (training and experience), to be undertaken by the Resources Inventory Branch of MELP. There is no firm requirement for any particular professional status, but the essential skills (shown below) will tend to favour some individuals with P.Eng./P.Geo. registration. Where professional registration exists, the stamp/seal of the licensing body will be required as part of data review and approval, and this will invoke the professional responsibility according to the Acts and Codes of Ethics governing such associations. The stamp will be required for data to be considered to have achieved any of the standards, and this will invoke the professional responsibility according to the Acts and Codes of Ethics governing such associations.
To be certain that reviewers are fully qualified, university level training in the following subject areas is required:
Work experience in hydrometric operations and quality review will also be relevant.
Many or all of the above fields of knowledge come into play in an integrated manner in the operations review of any given hydrometric station. While field operations may be and frequently are carried out by skilled technicians or other disciplines, the above skill set applied at a professional level is required to certify that a given standard level has indeed been achieved.
It is recognized that the British Columbia government will not have the resources to review and approve data or assign RIC standards level for all hydrometric data that is produced. Initially, data may be reviewed and approved by qualified professionals representing consultants, contractors, government staff, employees of corporations, etc. It is good practice to have the review/approval done by a person who was not personally involved in the operation of the station. It is expected that the government will undertake and/or fund audits of approved hydrometric data. Professionals who have improperly approved data may be referred to the licensing body, just as any P.Eng./P.Geo. might be for professional malpractice.