USGS collects data at the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway

Noteworthy

National & Regional Science:

• OFR 2012-5228: Organic contaminants, trace and major elements, and nutrients in water and sediment sampled in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
• Fact Sheet: Tracking and Forecasting the Nation's Water Quality Priorities and Strategies for 2013–2023
• An Economic Value of Remote-Sensing Information: Application to Agricultural Production and Maintaining Groundwater Quality
• WaterNow: Get current water conditions by text or email
• Press Release: Research, Response for Future Oil Spills: Lessons Learned from Deepwater Horizon

Local Science Features:

• Arkansas: No Contamination from Fayetteville Shale Exploration Found in Sampled Wells
• Kansas: Cyanobacteria and associated toxins in the Kansas River

Past listings...

Water Quality Data

National Water Information System (NWIS)

NWIS provides current and historical water-quality data.

Today's Water Conditions

Water-Quality Watch provides continuous real-time water-quality measurements.

Water-Quality Web Services

Web services automate the sharing of USGS and USEPA water-quality monitoring data.

For More Data

Additional water-quality data resources are available.

USGS Water Science Areas

• Water Resources
• Groundwater
• Surface Water
• Water Quality
• Water Use

USGS Water-Quality Information Pages

The U.S. Geological Survey provides scientific and technical expertise, leadership, and coordination in addressing issues concerning the quality of the Nation's water resources. Our scientists:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret water-quality data.
• Engage in field and laboratory research and methods development.
• Work with local, State, and Federal agencies and the citizenry to identify and understand environmental issues and concerns.

Water-Quality Basics What is water quality? Is my water safe? Where can I find information about water hardness or alkalinity in the United States? Water science for schools More water-quality questions & answers Assessing Our Nation's Water Quality USGS studied the occurrence of radium in groundwater in major aquifers of the United States. Regional Assessments on Water-Quality Status and Trends Selected National and Regional USGS Water-Quality Maps Applied Research on Toxic Substances in Water USGS Programs that Investigate National Water-Quality Conditions and Issues Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Methods: Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation National Field Manual: Sampling equipment, procedures, measurements Factsheet: Water-Quality Sampling by the USGS — Standard Protocols and Procedures Section 6.6 Alkalinity and Acid Neutralizing Capacity, Version 4 Section 5.6.4.A Arsenic Speciation, Version 2.0 [2.52MB PDF] Continuous Water-Quality Monitors USGS Laboratories Quality Assurance Software for Geochemical & Water-Quality Applications More Water-Quality Methods... For More Information View the Office of Water Quality contact information page. Contact the Office of Water Quality through our online form or call 703-648-6862. For general USGS questions, Ask USGS online or call 1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747).

USGS Responds to Water-Quality Hazards The USGS responds to major events, including natural hazards, that can affect our Nation's water quality by working with local, State, and Federal agencies and the citizenry to identify, quantify, and understand environmental issues and concerns. USGS Water-Quality Sampling after Hurricane Sandy USGS Measures Fallout from Fukushima in US NADP Precipitation Samples Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: USGS Water-Quality Response Resources and Information OFR 2012-5228: Organic contaminants, trace and major elements, and nutrients in water and sediment sampled in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Press Release: Research, Response for Future Oil Spills: Lessons Learned from Deepwater Horizon Learn More... Water-Quality Topics USGS collects data and information on topics such as the transport, fate, and remediation of contaminants. Learn more about: Hydraulic Fracturing Agriculture & Livestock Arsenic, Mercury Drinking water Groundwater & Aquifers Heavy Metals Mining Nutrients Pesticides & Herbicides Petroleum Products Radionuclides Surface & Recreational Waters Viruses & Other Pathogens Water-Quality Standards More water quality topics... USGS in Your Area Learn more about local water quality by visiting the web site for the USGS Water Science Center located in your state: