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
Quick Resource: Stormwater Quality
Published:
December 1, 2013The National Institutes for Water Resources
To combat the threat and elusive nature of nonpoint source pollution, the EPA has turned to Green Infrastructure (GI) to help treat runoff. Green infrastructure is an effective pollution prevention option for nonpoint source pollution in several ways.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaQuick Resource: Stormwater Quantity
Published:
December 1, 2013The National Institutes for Water Resources
Rainwater harvesting can help ameliorate the effects of development on natural hydrology. In fact, a major goal of low impact development (LID) is to mimic a site's natural hydrology as much as possible. LID practices can even restore a watershed's hydrological functions. Water harvesting...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaField Manual for Water Quality Sampling
Published:
July 1, 1996The National Institutes for Water Resources
The overriding objective of this manual is to provide consistent field sampling protocols for the numerous agencies and individuals who require water quality information. However, it is not intended to replace any sampling plan. The Spanish-language version of this manual also is available to help...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater Quality Management in Pond Fish Culture
Published:
January 1, 1979U.S. Agency for International Development
Presents a study of the variables in waste quality as they affect the survival, reproduction, growth, production, or management of fish. An attempt is made to define 'good' water quality. Information is presented which will be of help in: determining the potential of a body of water for...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaEffect of Agricultural Use on Water Quality for Downstream Use for Irrigation
Published:
July 1, 1973U.S. Agency for International Development
Studies the effect of irrigation return flow on downstream irrigation water quality in the Sevier, Colorado, and Rio Grande river systems, and in the Imperial Valley of Southern California. The report begins by reviewing significant literature on irrigation return flow. Next, water quality criteria...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaHow Trees Can Retain Stormwater Runoff
Published:
December 31, 1969The National Institutes for Water Resources
Trees in our communities provide many services beyond the inherent beauty they lend to streets and properties. One of the most overlooked and underappreciated is their ability to reduce the volume of water rushing through gutters and pipes following a storm. This means less investment in expensive...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaMethods of Analysis for Waters, Organic Matter, and Pond Bottom Soils Used in Fisheries Research
Published:
January 1, 1969U.S. Agency for International Development
This report provides guidance on water quality testing with respect to fisheries and increasing fish production and the methods to doing so.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaNutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Lakes and Reservoirs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This manual details the U.S. EPA's scientific recommendations regarding ambient concentrations of nutrients that protect resource quality and aquatic life. The guidance manual is intended to help the user develop criteria useful for abating cultural eutrophication.Read more
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North AmericaUnited StatesBuilding Regional Threat Based Networks for Estuaries in the Western United States
Published:
January 1, 2011The Nature Conservancy
This study categorizes estuaries of the western United States into hierarchical networks that share similar threat characteristics to analyze the spatial extent of estuary threats. Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaUSGS WaterQualityWatch and National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Data Warehouse
Published:
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 StatesNorth AmericaDon't see what you're looking for? You can search USWP member sites, request a resource, or contact the USWP.