Pollution and Water Quality
According to the United Nations, declining water quality has become a global issue of concern as human populations grow, industrial and agricultural activities expand, and climate change threatens to cause major alterations to the hydrological cycle. Resources available in this sub-theme include manuals describing water quality testing and treatment, reports and assessments of water quality from around the world, methods of maintaining water quality and managing pollution, and other resources that support enabling environments for effective water quality control.
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Pollution and Water Quality Resources
USGS WaterQualityWatch and National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Data Warehouse
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June 9, 2014National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Tap into a network of near real-time water-quality data from over 1,700 surface-water sites in the United States. Data are available for temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and (or) nitrate depending on the site. Data also are available for discharge.Read more
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United States, North AmericaThe Fight for Water Justice
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July 9, 2021Environmental racism has plagued many communities in the United States for centuries, but it is especially prevalent when it comes to water infrastructure. Many marginalized regions struggle to obtain reliable and clean water sources. On this episode of A Word, host Jason Johnson discusses how the...Read more
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United StatesAdverse Physical and Mental Health Effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Among Gulf Coast Children: An Environmental Justice Perspective
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July 9, 2021This study examines whether racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status affected children's health after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It explores whether these risk factors affected children's health due to direct physical exposure to crude oil or dispersant household economic...Read more
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United StatesPesticides and Water Quality
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July 21, 2021Pesticides are used in agriculture, in homes and businesses, on lawns and gardens, along roads, in recreational areas, and on pets and livestock. There are hundreds of different pesticide chemicals in use in the United States. In 2007, about 390 million kilograms (430,000 tons) of pesticides,...Read more
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United StatesRecreational Water Quality
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July 21, 2021This web page provides an overview of USGS's research about recreational water quality. It includes related research, publications, news, and a collection of data and tools. The water quality of a nearby lake, a watershed, or along the coast can be enhanced only by collecting good information...Read more
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United StatesGroundwater/Surface-Water Interaction
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July 21, 2021USGS Integrated Watershed Studies seek to better understand and quantify the exchanges at the surface water/groundwater interface. This understanding is used to forecast how the chemical quality of water will change in response to changes in climate, land use, or management practices. Integrated...Read more
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United StatesWater Quality After Wildfire
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July 21, 2021Relatively new research has been aimed at the impacts of wildfires on the quality of drinking water and on water-dependent natural resources. Wildfires are devastating and can lead to long-term changes to the landscape. With a significant amount of our Nation's drinking water sources...Read more
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United StatesGroundwater Quality
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July 21, 2021Even though the ground is an excellent mechanism for filtering out particulate matter, such as leaves, soil, and bugs, dissolved chemicals and gases can still occur in large enough concentrations in groundwater to cause problems. Underground water can get contaminated by industrial, domestic, and...Read more
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United StatesGLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring
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July 21, 2021The GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring effort brings together the expertise of the USGS with local and national partners to assess the ability of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in Great Lakes urban areas. The term "urban stormwater" refers to rainfall or snowmelt that is...Read more
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United StatesDon't see what you're looking for? You can search USWP member sites, request a resource, or contact the USWP.