Environmental Data Management System Application
Why It's Important
Tracking the quality of the state's waterways is an important task for the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). This work involves field crews collecting water samples statewide and measuring the microscopic species found within them. The results provide a detailed insight into the health and quality of the water body. The Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) application was designed and developed by The Geospatial Group as an efficient way to house, review, and manage all sample data in one convenient location for MDEQ.
EDMS Application
The EDMS application provides a modernized platform for combining datasets from several different sources, allowing for efficient quality assurance procedures. In addition to capturing data collected in the field, it also enables administrators to view sampling location details, supplementary meter readings, and the test results for each site. A robust user management section allows for efficient, role-based review of data for multiple stages of quality control. This .NET, web-based application enables MDEQ to streamline, consolidate, and organize their water quality workflows and support environmental efforts across the State.
Streamlined Review Workflows
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
At its core, EDMS is a quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) application that enables multiple users to review field-collected data according to their assigned permissions. The review workflow is divided into three stages: an initial review by the field team member who collected the data, followed by two manager-level reviews that validate and finalize the submission. These roles are structured hierarchically, with each level inheriting the capabilities of the one before it. When a field team member begins a review in EDMS, they can import their collected data by selecting the import button at the top of the corresponding project screen. The application queries the iPad data stored on MDEQ’s ArcGIS Portal and brings any new submissions into the project station screen for review.
Field Team Review
The EDMS review screens were designed to be easy and efficient for users. Each data review page mimics the iPad forms used in the field, providing familiarity and consistency. When a station is opened for review, it is temporarily “locked” to prevent simultaneous edits by other users. As reviewers work through each section, a green checkmark appears in the sidebar to show progress. Any changes made to data fields are fully tracked, and users must provide justification for each edit. These justifications are saved and can be viewed at any time by reviewers of any stage.
Manager Review
After a field team member finishes their review, the station data advances to stage two, the first level of manager QAQC. Each review stage uses a similar interface, with higher-level roles gaining additional tools. In stage two, managers can "flag" specific data fields that require closer inspection. During stage three, a higher-level manager can verify or clear those flags and also void data fields that are incorrect due to instrument inaccuracies. A station's review is not considered complete until all three QAQC stages have been finalized and saved in the system.
Station homepage with review statuses
Photos, site maps, and weather stamps for each station
Complex data displayed visually for the user
Edits are tracked with justifications
Unique Administrative Features
User Management
Project Configuration
Project Configuration
EDMS allows administrators to easily add, edit, and manage users and their permission levels within the application. The administrative dashboard provides a centralized view of all users, including email addresses and assigned roles, allowing administrators to update, disable, or remove users in just a few clicks. This role-based management ensures that users only have the permissions applicable to them for a concise and effective QAQC process.
Project Configuration
Project Configuration
Project Configuration
Administrators can prepare EDMS for a new collection year in just a few steps. Each year, sampling stations are added to an Oracle database and assigned a unique project ID, which the administrator enters in the Application Settings section of the EDMS dashboard. This activates the database connection and creates the required tables. Administrators then link EDMS to the data collection feature layer, allowing new field data to be imported into the station tables for review.
Data Imports
Administrators can import the externally sourced water sampling results into EDMS for analysis and review. Typically, these are received as complex spreadsheets with inconsistent row and column structures. To streamline the process and account for inconsistency, users can validate, edit, or skip data rows during import. Once imported, the data can be easily sorted, filtered, and edited within the application.
Enhanced Analysis
The EDMS system supports year-over-year comparison of sampling stations and test results, allowing administrators to easily identify trends, changes, and anomalies across collection cycles. Historical data and tracked changes remain accessible within the same system, giving staff the context needed to make informed decisions without relying on disconnected spreadsheets or legacy tools.