The Data Standards for Continuous Monitoring Data report recommends standards to improve the usability of sensor data

Many entities collect continuous monitoring data from sensors that measure different characteristics of air and water. These data are often collected in inconsistent formats and at varying levels of quality, making it difficult for the EPA, states, Tribes, and others to manage and use the data. When information is not standardized or adequately described, data users cannot easily share or consume information without costly processing and reformatting that can slow decision-making and introduce data quality problems.

The E-Enterprise Data Standards Team evaluated eight existing continuous monitoring data formats against a common set of criteria. The team considered each format’s market maturity, ease of discovery, and performance in supporting key use cases for data access, querying, ownership, and archiving. Based on these criteria, the team made recommendations about which standards would be most appropriate for meeting the needs of the EPA, states and tribes using sensors to continuously monitor air and water conditions.

In developing the report, the team interviewed standards providers and users about their data needs and monitoring goals. The team requested and received reviews of the report from multiple federal agencies and also successfully tested the recommended data standards in two monitoring projects.

States, Tribes, and the EPA can use these data standards recommendations to:

• Improve the usability of advanced monitoring data within existing and emerging programmatic and regulatory frameworks;
• Promote awareness of the importance of data quality and its impact on the usefulness of data;
• Support the quality and usability of sensor data collected by communities and others; and

Increased access to high quality monitoring data has the potential to support better environmental management and decision-making.