8225

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8225
• Author: Leahy, P. P., J. S. Rosenshein and D. S. Knopman.
• Title: Implementation Plan For the National Water-Quality Assessment Program.
• USFW Year: 1990.
• USFW - Doc Type: 90-174,
• Copyright Material: NO

Study-Unit Investigations
The major activities of the NAWQA Program are
organized to take place within a set of hydrologic
systems referred to as study units. Sixty study units
(fig. 1, table 1), in which both ground- and surface-
water quality will be studied, have been identified.
Collectively, the study units encompass about 45 per-
cent of the land area of the conterminous United
States, an area in which withdrawals account for 60 to
70 percent of the Nation's water use as measured by
total withdrawal and population served by public
water supply. The water resource to be emphasized in
each study-unit investigation will depend on water use
in the study unit and the nature and importance of the
ground- or surface-water-quality concerns. Coordi-
nating activities among the USGS and representatives
of Federal, State, and local interests will aid in identi-
fication of water-quality concerns. In FY 1991, plan-
ning and some limited water-quality sampling will
begin in 20 study units. Selection of these 20 units will
be based on the following criteria: (1) coverage of
major hydrologic regions, (2) coverage of agricultural
areas in keeping with the President's Water-Quality
Initiative, (3) consideration of water-quality concerns
and programs of other Federal and State agencies,
and (4) water-quality concerns of the USGS.
Investigation Phases
The assessment activities in each of the study units
will include 4 to 5 years of continuous and intensive
data collection and analysis, immediately followed by
5 years of less intensive assessment activities (chiefly
intermittent monitoring of water quality). The study-
unit investigations will be conducted so that one-third
will be in intensive assessment activities at a given
time. In 12 years (FY 1991-2002), an intensive activity
period will have been completed for all 60 study units.
The schedule of investigations by principal activity for
the NAWQA Program for FY 1991-2000 is shown in
figure 2. During the less-intensive low-level activity
period of each study-unit investigation, a project chief
and one or two support project members will be
needed to continue assessment activities. During the
intensive period, as many as 10 project members hav-
ing expertise in a wide range of scientific disciplines,
including ground- and surface-water hydrology, water
quality, geochemistry, ecology, geomorphology, and
statistics will be involved in a study-unit investigation.
Scope of Activities
Major activities to be performed as part of the
study-unit investigations include the compilation of
available water-quality information, sampling and
analysis of water quality for a wide array of physical,
chemical, and biological properties, and the
interpretation and reporting of results. Although the
NAWQA Program is designed as an operational pro-
gram, the approaches to be used will be "state-of-the-
science" techniques and methodologies. Throughout
the program, improved methods will be developed
and adapted to meet the objectives of the program.
Priority will be given to the development of
(1) improved analytical methods for quantifying the
concentrations of trace elements and trace-organic
compounds in water, sediment, and tissue; (2) biolog-
ical assessment techniques; (3) methods for evaluat-
ing ground- and surface-water quality; and (4)
statistical and deterministic techniques of data analy-
ses and interpretation on a regional and national
scale.
Water-quality data available from water-resource
agencies at all governmental levels will be assembled,
screened, and evaluated to the extent possible. These
data will be stored in the computerized USGS data
base for the study-unit investigations. Additional
water-quality data collected specifically for the study
units including quality-assurance and ancillary infor-
mation, such as local land use, will be stored in the
computerized data bases and made readily accessible.
The intent of this effort is to ensure that the data can
be used effectively and efficiently for the study-unit
investigations and for regional and national synthesis
of study-unit investigations results by USGS and other
Federal, State and local agencies, academia, and the
private sector.
Study-Unit Reports
Results of each study-unit investigation will be
presented in several reports during each period of
intensive activity. Early in each investigation, the
project team will prepare a work plan. This plan will
present refined boundaries of the study unit, describe
the hydrogeologic setting of the study unit, identify
major water-quality concerns, define specific objec-
tives of the assessment, and describe approaches that
will be used. Briefing materials on planned water-
quality assessments will be prepared and released to
the public to aid in coordinating and ensuring that
local interests are addressed by the program, and to
keep the public informed about activities in each
study-unit investigation. Informal reporting on
activities through participation in public meetings
addressing local water-quality concerns will be an
important component of the study-unit investigations.
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