Water, Sanitation, Hygiene
According to the Centers for Disease Control, global access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene education can reduce illness and death from disease, leading to improved health, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development. However, many countries are challenged to provide these basic necessities to their populations, leaving people at risk for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related diseases. Resources available within this theme offer information on providing access to safe water and appropriate sanitation facilities, and introducing sound hygiene behaviors.
Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Resources
Water 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 StatesNational Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA)
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July 21, 2021The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) has produced scientific data and knowledge that is used by national, regional, state, and local agencies to develop science-based policies and management strategies to improve and protect water resources used for drinking water, recreation, irrigation,...Read more
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United StatesUrban Land Use and Water Quality
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July 21, 2021In urbanized areas, small streams are often overlooked or forgotten, but these streams can reduce contamination, ease flash flooding, and improve the esthetics and livability of our daily environment. Contaminants, habitat destruction, and streamflow flashiness resulting from urban development...Read more
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United StatesPublic Supply Wells
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July 21, 2021The USGS National Water Quality Program investigates the quality of water pumped from public-supply wells across the United States. These wells are the source of drinking water and water for other household needs for more than one-third of the U.S. population. There are about 140,000 public water...Read more
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United StatesRain and Precipitation
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July 21, 2021Rain and snow are key elements in the Earth's water cycle, which is vital to all life on Earth. Rainfall is the main way that the water in the skies comes down to Earth, where it fills our lakes and rivers, recharges the underground aquifers, and provides drinks to plants and animals. Water...Read more
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United StatesAgriculture and the Quality of the Nation's Waters
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July 21, 2021Intensive studies by the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project in agricultural areas provide insight into how agricultural activities have altered the natural flow of water and the way that agricultural chemicals enter streams and aquifers, and in particular how nutrients affect...Read more
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United StatesSediment Sampling and Data Processing
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July 21, 2021Sediment can be transported as suspended load (moves with the flow of the river) or as bedload (rolls along the riverbed) or can be deposited on the riverbed or bank. Sediment is naturally occurring and essential to supporting the ecological function of a water body. High sediment concentrations in...Read more
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United StatesRapid Fluctuations in Groundwater Quality
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July 21, 2021As part of the National Water Quality Program, USGS scientists are investigating why, in some areas and at some depths, groundwater quality changes at short timescales: years to months to days to even hours, rather than decades. These fluctuations often occur in areas where groundwater and surface...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.