Information Exchange

OETA utilizes the Environmental Information Exchange Network (or Exchange Network) to exchange environmental and health data among the EPA, states, tribes and territories, and other partners. An internet-based system, the Information Exchange Program has been developed to provide water quality data sharing among the participating New Mexico pueblos and tribes. Currently participating in the Information Exchange Network are the following pueblos and tribes: Taos Pueblo, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, Santa Clara Pueblo, Pojoaque Pueblo, Nambe Pueblo, Sandia Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo, Picuris Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, Isleta Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, Sandia Pueblo, San Felipe Pueblo, Tesuque Pueblo, Zia Pueblo, Santa Ana Pueblo and the Mescalero Apache Nation.

Program Objectives

The Information Exchange Program provides training and assistance to participating pueblos and tribes. It also provides implementation and enhancement of a regionally hosted WQX compatible database, which utilizes the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring System (AWQMS) developed by Gold Systems, Inc. AWQMS, a web-based water quality data management system previously built with the EPA and other government funding, as a method for exchanging water quality data between the EPA and its partners. The project includes enhancements available to all partners for data security, data analysis, and reporting capabilities which support tribes in meeting the EPA requirements in the 2011-2015 Strategic Plan and tribal-specific reporting needs.

The NM Inter-Tribal WQX Data Flow Implementation and Outreach Project ensures participating pueblos and tribes have improved tribal data management capabilities and are successfully uploading tribal water quality data to the EPA via Water Quality Exchange (WQX) by the end of the grant. OETA implements the cloud-based Ambient Water Quality Management System (AWQMS) database application, loads the necessary data into AWQMS, and submits it to WQX on a regular basis. 

  • 1
    Implement the cloud-based Ambient Water Quality Management System (AWQMS) database application.
  • 2
    Load Data in AWQMS and Flow it to WQX on a regular basis.
  • 3
    Creation of Peer Partner Network
  • 4
    Provide tribal training on AWQMS
  • 5
    Enhance reporting and data analysis capabilities.

The OETA office works directly with tribes in offering training sessions or field assistance per the request of tribes. If you are interested in participating in this program and attending the meeting, webinar, or to learn more, please contact us.