National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project

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USGS Circular 1350: Nutrients in the Nation's Streams and Groundwater

A comprehensive national analysis of nutrients in streams and groundwater from 1992 through 2004 is provided by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Findings describe nutrient occurrence, key sources of nutrients, potential effects on humans and aquatic life, and changes in concentrations since the early 1990s. Results show that excessive nutrient enrichment is a widespread cause of ecological degradation in streams and that nitrate contamination of groundwater used for drinking water, particularly in shallow domestic wells in agricultural areas, is a continuing human-health concern. Despite major Federal, State, and local efforts to control point and non-point sources and transport of nutrients, concentrations of nutrients have remained the same or increased in many streams and aquifers across the Nation since the early 1990s.

Findings touch on many environmental issues, including those related to (1) developing nutrient criteria for surface water bodies, (2) reducing nutrient loadings to receiving waters, (3) setting realistic expectations for water-quality improvements following nutrient reduction strategies, and (4) managing elevated nutrients in drinking water from surface-water intakes and wells.

The results of this study are described in two USGS publications: a USGS Fact Sheet (2010-3078) highlights selected national findings and their implications, and serves as a companion product to the complete analysis reported in the USGS Circular (1350) titled “The Quality of Our Nation’s Waters—Nutrients in the Nation’s Streams and Groundwater, 1992–2004”. Both publications can be downloaded in PDF format (see below).

Publications

Press Release

Podcast

Frequently Asked Questions

Presentation of Findings to Congress on September 24, 2010

Supporting Information (Graphics, Tables, Nutrients Data)

Selected related links:

For additional information on the study, please contact:

Neil Dubrovsky, USGS, Chief, NAWQA Nutrients National Synthesis
Placer Hall -- 6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6129
Email: nmdubrov@usgs.gov
Phone:  (916) 278-3078

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