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quantity in storage in these deep aquifers is believed to be greater than in the shallower aquifers. This water is not used extensively at present because of poor chemical quality and the excessive cost of pumping. Although the current withdrawal rate is small in comparison to the indicated total amount of ground water in storage, water tables are declining at some places in the Missouri Basin. The principal scattered locations adversely affected are in the southern extreme edge of the basin in Missouri; westernmost Kansas; along tribu taries in the middle reach of the South Platte River in Colorado and Wyoming; northwestern Nebraska; and along the middle reach of the Platte River and in the Blue River Basin in south-central Nebraska. The pressure in artesian areas also is declining in northeastern Wyoming, western and southwestern South Dakota, most of eastern South Dakota, and the southeastern part of North Dakota. In the south-central part of Nebraska there is also a significant area showing a rise in water table caused by seepage of water from canals and applied surface irrigation water. It is believed generally that some reduction in the water table of near-surface aquifers and near points of natural discharge will eliminate or reduce evapotranspiration losses by phreato- phytes; offsetting to some extent the man-made with- drawals and consumption. It is agreed generally that the ground water does provide a most valuable resource which can support considerable economic development. WATER QUALITY Surface Water Quality Pure water in streams and lakes is practically unavailable. Water is a solvent and it dissolves and carries in solu tion certain materials derived from the soils and rocks over which it flows or through which it percolates. In fact, precipitation by the time it reaches the ground has picked up some materials from the atmosphere. In addition to the natural sources of dissolved solids, human activity in many endeavors either directly or indirectly contributes dissolved solids to streams. Streams also may transport many undissolved solid wastes accumulated from natural overland runoff, or deliberately discharged to the streams as wastes. Water quality, therefore, is largely a product of both the natu.fal-and-hu-man-envif0nments:---- Water quality is judged largely in terms of the requirements of various water uses. Within the Missouri Basin, the primary water uses are domestic, industrial (including power generation and cooling water), irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife, and navigation. Water quality demands vary for each use. and also may vary within a region for a given type of use. For example, recreation and fishery water quality require- 64 ments in the cold mountain trout streams are judged differently than for the warmer plains streams. The principal water quality characteristics that concern the suitability of water for uses within the basin are the dissolved solids content that affects the health of humans and plant and animal life; temperatures that affect the fishery and aquatic environment; pathogens that affect health; and taste, odor, and floating materials that may affec.t adversely the water potability and the general environment. Bacterial and biological pollutants in the form of microorganisms not only may endanger health, but also may reduce the dissolved oxygen content of streams and lakes, and make them less desirable as fishery habitat. Temperature changes due to water use often have complex effects upon the biological regime and fishery. Undissolved solids such as floating material, oils, sludges, and sediments are visible and, when observed, often generate a demand from the public for remedial measures. The amount and kinds of water quality data obtained within the basin largely have been responsive to problems encountered in the use of water. Historically, and aside from bacterial and biological aspects, the principal concern has been the concentrations of these dissolved solids that affect domestic, industrial, and irrigation uses. Figure 29 shows the total dissolved solids concentration in surface waters in milligrams per liter for general areas as derived from 77 stream-sampling stations. Similar additional data were derived for critical parameters such as sulfates and chlorides, and sodium adsorption ratios. In 1965 there were 1,773 municipal water systems in the basin serving 6.3 million peopie. Of these 465 had no sewerage systems; 1,009 provided secondary treatment of municipal wastes; 198 had primary treatment; and 101 provided no treatment. Of their gross pollution load before treatment, including the industrial plants under municipal systems, of 16.8 million population equivalent (P .E.), existing treatment reduces this to about 9.1 million P.E. This existing situation but with an assumed requirement for 85 percent BO 0 removal would require the enlargement of 1,009 secondary treatment facilities; the addition of secondary treatment works to the existing 198 primary treatment plants; and the construction of 566 new secondary treatment facilities. Sewage collection systems are needed for 465 places. During 1965 about 602 industrial plants for which da-ta--afe-availab le,and-whiGh-have-outlets-sep ar.a.te-f.r.om municipal systems, contributed 10 million P.E. Of these, 282 had ad~quate treatment; III provided inadequate treatment; 195 had no treatment; and 14 did not report the treatment provided. Prior to the advent of large cattle feedlots there was little public concern about pollution from livestock originating from confined feeding of cattle, hogs, and poultry. The magnitude of potential pollution from such