We hear the term a lot. And not only do we hear the term a lot, we also know that the term is important; it’s essential for our families and for our lifestyles.
That term is water quality. But what, in fact, does it really mean, and how is it achieved?
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a range of resources regarding one of our most important resources. One of those resources is “A Primer on Water Quality.” The USGS can then be our guide for helping us understand what water quality means and how it is achieved or measured.
First, the USGS says water quality is determined by “measur[ing] and analyz[ing] characteristics of the water such as temperature, dissolved mineral content and number of bacteria.” The results are then measured against standards and guidelines. The measurements will then determine whether or not the water tested is suitable for a particular use.
So for example, water quality for drinking might be different than water quality for recreational purposes. Ingesting water is much different than swimming or boating in it. That’s why water quality tests are associated with its particular or intended use.
Second, and perhaps most important, the USGS reports that public water suppliers are required to supply water quality data on an annual basis. In addition, state agencies that focus on health and the environment are also good resources for water quality issues.
So while the term gets thrown around a lot and sometimes without any context or background information, it’s good to know that water quality is a definable term. And, it’s good to know that we, the public, have recourse in finding out water quality issues in our specific locations.
Related posts:
- The New York Times on the Subject of Water Quality in America
- How is America’s Quality of Water?
- The Effects of Agricultural Chemicals in Your Water
- Global Warming and Recreational Water Quality
- Water Shortages Cause Increased Use of Reclaimed Water
