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NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM N ...,. CJ! W . BACKGROUND In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey began a 4-year transition from a pilot National Water-Quality Assessment (NA WQA) pro- gram to a full-scale program. The design concepts to be implemented in the full-scale program are based in part on the pilot program that began in 1986. The long-term goals ofthe NA'VQA program are to describe the status and trends in the quality of a large, representative part of the Nation's surfacc- and ground-water resources and to provide a sound, scientific understanding of the primary natural and human factors affecting the quality of these resources. In meeting these goals, the pro- gram will produce a wealth of water-quality information that will be useful to policy makers and managers at the national, state, and local levels. PROGRAM DESIGN A major design feature of the NA WQA program will enable water-quality information at different spatial scales to be integrated. Thc program consists of two major components- study-unit investigations and national assessment activities. Study-Unit Investigations The principal building blocks of the NA WQA program are the study-unit investigations of hydrologic systems that include parts of most major river basins and aquifer systems. The study units (:over areas of t ,200 to more than 60,(){X) square miles. The progralll will be accomplished through investigations of 60 study areas that arc distrihuted throughout the Nation and that ir\('qrporate ahout 60 to 70 percent of the Nation's water use :n:d population served by public water supply. To make the program manageable, intensive assessment aL'liviti,~s in each of the study unils will hc conducted on a rota- tional rather than a continuous basis. One-third of the study units will he studied intensively at a givcn time. For each study unit, ) to 4 year periods oj' intensive data collection and analysis will he alternated with 6 W 7 year periods during which the assess- ment adivitics will be less intensive. In the initial assessment pcri<xi in each study unit, the prescnt watcr--quality conditions and the factors that influence thesc con- ditions will be described. Subsequent intensive assessment periods will focus on improving this understanding and assess- ing changes that are occurring over time. Long-term assessment activities in the study units are a key attribute of the program-'Ilot only to define trends-but also to build an evolving understanding of water quality in each of the study units. This understanding will _be achieved through _r:::~J""~ _!> ;z:,,:.r <;.-- c"-C'J e- e.. j~ uS V-.r 11 ,1 OF THE INTERIOR J ~ J careful analysis and interpretation of long-term data sets on the chemical and biological characteristics of the water resource rela- tive to carefully compiled data on physical hydrology and changes in land use and management practices within the study units. Intensive assessment of these. individual hydrologic systems will form a firm base of knowledge for resource decision making within the study units. National Assessment Activities The NA WQA program will focus on integrating results from the study-unit investigations and other programs to provide information at regional and national scales. The national assess- ment component of the program will address specific water. quality issues that are of concern in many areas of the Nation. A framework has been established to assure consistency nation- wide in approach to each study, in field and laboratory methods, in water-quality measurements, and in supporting data requirements. The first two national topics will focus on pesticides and on nutrients and sediment. Specific questions related to pesticides that will be addressed by the program include: . What are the occurrcnces and concentrations of pesticides in selected river basins and aquifer systems nationwide? . What is the relation of pesticide concentrations in surface and ground water to natural factors, changes in hydrologic conditions, pesticide use, chemical properties, and land- management practices? e What significance do key findings have on current water- quality monitoring, management, and regulatory practices? 11 T:IC NA WQA program is dcsigncd to address national water- quality concerns through comparative studies in a large set of hydrologic systems that are distributed ill a wide range of environmental scttings throughout the Nation. COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION Communication and coordination between Geological Survey personnel and other interested scientists and water-management organizations are critical components of the NA WQA program. Each of the study-unit investigations will have a local liaison committee consisting of representatives who have water-resource responsibilities from Federal, State, and local agencies, univer- sities, and the private sector. Specific activities of each liaison committee will include (1) the exchange of information about water-quality issues of regional and local interest, (2) the iden- tification of sources of data and information, (3) assistance in the design and scope of project products, and (4) the review of , ..,;,1