Better Monitoring Techniques Are Needed To Assess The Quality Of Rivers And Streams, Volume 1
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Geological Survey use sampling networks to assess the quality of the Nation's rivers and streams. The Council on Environmental Quality strongly endorses this approach and uses the water quality data from the networks in its annual environmental reports. Water quality is far too complex to be monitored by these networks. Small samples, generally taken monthly, cannot account for water quality at individual sites and cannot accurately represent other locations on the same river. Nationwide reports based on data from the networks are not reliable. Special studies of individual rivers or river segments would yield more scientifically sound and useful information on water quality. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Geological Survey should stop using their networks and shift their resources and attention to a program of welt-managed special studies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 1981
- Accession Number
- AD1121725
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office