The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines comparability as “the measure of confidence with which one data set, element, or method can be considered as similar to another”. Comparability is an especially important consideration with SWAMP data, which represents a wide variety of objectives, organizations and procedures over many years, both governmental and non-governmental.

SWAMP has developed guidelines and tools for projects funded by SWAMP, and for groups who are interested in being SWAMP-comparable. These include The Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Data Management Plan, The Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan, the SWAMP Help Desk, and the new SWAMP Comparability Fact Sheet.

The following links are provided to those parties interested in SWAMP-comparability.

SWAMP-Comparability Fact Sheet (updated 07/20/09) new!
A document intended to help program participants understand the concept of “SWAMP-comparability”. More importantly, it provides guidelines and tools for those seeking to become SWAMP-comparable.

Help Desk
The Help Desk is available to answer questions regarding comparability with both the database and quality assurance (QA) components of SWAMP.

Database Comparability
Information about SWAMP-comparable data management practices.

Quality Assurance Comparability
Information about SWAMP-comparable QA practices.

SWAMP Comparability Webinars (coming soon)