index.qmd

# Welcome! {.unnumbered}

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# **This Handbook is a draft / work in progress and is currently undergoing a phased review process** 

Some pages are still under development - new content may be added and existing content may change at any time without notice.

**Water Boards Staff** who would like to provide feedback, comments, suggestions, corrections, or ask questions about content in this Handbook can do so through the [Equity Data Handbook Feedback Form](https://forms.office.com/g/aiEpqjVzQ8)

**The official review period for the Handbook will be Jan - Mar 2025**. We will consolidate and address as much feedback as possible shortly after the close of this review period. However, we will keep the form open beyond Mar 2025 so that folks can continue to provide constructive feedback moving forward, and we will consider and integrate that feedback as time, resources, and capacity allow.
:::

This Equity Data Handbook is an online resource written by the The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Water Boards), collectively known as the California Water Boards (Water Boards).

Content in this Handbook includes best practices and guidance for Water Boards staff on incorporating racial equity concepts into their data-related work. Specifically, this Handbook will provide guidance and resources to help Water Boards staff conduct each phase of the data life cycle through a racial equity lens - from the planning and design of a project to data collection methods, visualization development (e.g., maps, fact sheets, etc.) and more!

A depiction of the Data Life Cycle is provided below for context. We must have meaningful engagement and partnership with our diverse communities during each phase of the Data Life Cycle, especially those that have been historically underserved namely Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC). If we focus on uplifting those most highly impacted we will inevitably improve the the data products and services we develop and, most importantly, the experiences and outcomes for all communities.

![Graphic of the data life cycle.](images/datalifecycle.png){fig-alt="Graphic showing the seven main phases of the Data Life Cycle: (1) Plan and Prepare, (2) Collect and Process, (3) Assure and Analyze, (4) Preserve and Store, (5) Publish and Share, (6) Discover and Integrate, and (7) Describe - which is integral to all of the other phases" width="438"}

This [Quarto book](https://quarto.org/docs/books) is an open, living, and continuously iterating resource. If you have suggestions for additions or revisions you think should be incorporated into this book, please email [equitydatahelp\@waterboards.ca.gov](mailto:equitydatahelp@waterboards.ca.gov).