The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in principal aquifers of the United States, 1991-2010
Links
- Documents:
- Additional Report Piece: Report low resolution (69.35 MB pdf)
- Appendixes:
- Appendices 1-3 (282 KB xlsx) Appendix 1. Water-quality constituents included in this study. Appendix 2. Frequency of contaminant concentrations that exceeded human-health benchmarks and non-health guidelines in Principal Aquifers. Appendix 3, Table A3–A. Pesticides detected at any concentration. Appendix 3, Table A3–B. Pesticides detected at concentrations greater than 0.1 microgram per liter. Appendix 3, Table A3–C. VOCs detected at any concentration. Appendix 3, Table A3–D. VOCs detected at concentrations greater than 0.2 microgram per liter
- Appendix 4 (2.8 MB pdf)
- Companion File: Data archive (2.8 MB zip)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
About 130 million people in the United States rely on groundwater for drinking water, and the need for high-quality drinking-water supplies becomes more urgent as our population grows. Although groundwater is a safe, reliable source of drinking water for millions of people nationwide, high concentrations of some chemical constituents can pose potential human-health concerns. Some of these contaminants come from the rocks and sediments of the aquifers themselves, and others are chemicals that we use in agriculture, industry, and day-to-day life. When groundwater supplies are contaminated, millions of dollars can be required for treatment so that the supplies can be usable. Contaminants in groundwater can also affect the health of our streams and valuable coastal waters. By knowing where contaminants occur in groundwater, what factors control contaminant concentrations, and what kinds of changes in groundwater quality might be expected in the future, we can ensure the availability and quality of this vital natural resource in the future.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in principal aquifers of the United States, 1991-2010 |
| Series title | Circular |
| Series number | 1360 |
| DOI | 10.3133/cir1360 |
| Year Published | 2015 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | National Water Quality Assessment Program |
| Description | Report: vi, 150 p.; 4 Appendices; Data archive |
| Public Comments | National Water-Quality Assessment Program |
| Time Range Start | 1991-01-01 |
| Time Range End | 2010-12-31 |
| Country | United States |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | Y |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |