The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Network—Groundwater, 2024

General Information Product 256
By: , and 

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates a National Water Quality Network (NWQN) to monitor trends in groundwater quality and assess emerging contaminants of concern. It is a “network of networks” with 81 subnetworks being sampled on a decadal time scale. Each year, 8 of the subnetworks are sampled. Subnetworks have 20–30 wells each and include studies of domestic supply wells or shallow groundwater (20–50 feet deep) underlying urban land use or agricultural land use. Currently there are 2,089 wells in the network. All wells are sampled for physical properties, nutrients, major ions, trace elements, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and a subset of wells are sampled for pesticides, volatile organic compounds, radionuclides, and microbiological contaminants.

Suggested Citation

Lindsey, B.D., Kingsbury, J.A., and Santangelo, L.M., 2025, The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Network—Groundwater, 2024: U.S. Geological Survey General Information Product 256, https://doi.org/10.3133/gip256.

ISSN: 2332-354X (online)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Network—Groundwater, 2024
Series title General Information Product
Series number 256
DOI 10.3133/gip256
Publication Date August 04, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) WMA - Earth System Processes Division
Description 1 p.
Country United States
Other Geospatial Contiguous United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details