water quality
Water Quality Monitoring
Using monitoring techniques to track the water quality of an ecosystem is an integral part of the Clean Water Act equation. Monitoring can be used to assess the types and sources of pollution loading into a watershed, to determine the progress of current water quality programs, and to document the health of watersheds. Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act requires all states to provide a report on the status of their water bodies on a biennial basis. The ten elements in a statewide monitoring program that are required in the Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy are:
The Water Quality Monitoring Workgroup, which consists of representatives from NEIWPCC, our member states, and U.S. EPA, meets three times a year to discuss relevant policy, funding and scientific issues related to water quality monitoring. In the last few years, NEIWPCC has been working with our member states to establish a water quality monitoring network. This network consists of volunteer monitoring groups as well as private and public institutions with monitoring programs. Developing this network is vitally important, because it will increase communication between the different monitoring groups and help to provide a better overall picture of the water quality in New England, New York State, and New Jersey.
For more information, please contact Becky Weidman, the coordinator of our Water Quality Monitoring Workgroup.