The Quality System Standard Operating Procedure (QSSOP) was prepared, reviewed, and distributed in accordance with TDEC’s Quality Management Plan and other quality system documents in response to U.S. EPA’s requirements for a Quality Management Program. QSSOPs are integral parts of successful quality systems as they provide staff with the information to perform a job properly and facilitate consistency in the quality and integrity of the process.

This QSSOP is specific to the Division of Water Resources (DWR), is intended to assist the division in maintaining their quality control and quality assurance processes and ensures compliance with government regulations. It provides specific operational direction for the division’s Quality Assurance Project Plan for Macroinvertebrate Stream Surveys.

Although this QSSOP is compiled for DWR employees and their contractors, it is recognized that outside agencies will utilize this QSSOP for their sampling purposes. Use of this QSSOP may be required in permits issued by DWR and is highly recommended to ensure consistency and accuracy of any data provided to DWR. Habitat assessments are primarily used to determine whether various components of the habitat are factors in fish and aquatic life impairment.