Water quality management

Water quality protection involves water quality monitoring and assessment, establishing achievable water quality goals and controlling pollutant loadings to reach and maintain desired water quality levels. In establishing water quality goals, the desired use of the water body is determined. Specific water quality levels, often referred to as water quality standards, are established to sustain uses like providing safe drinking water, shellfish harvesting, safeguarding swimmers and bathers, and protecting aquatic life. Pollution loads that cause the degradation of water quality originate from both point and non point sources. The foundation of sound water quality management is reliable monitoring and assessment. Monitoring data result from physical, chemical and biological measurements of ambient waters, pollution sources, sediments, and biota. Each type of data plays an important role in conducting a complete assessment of the health of the water body. Once a reliable assessment of the health of a water body is made, realistic water quality goals can be developed. Based upon established levels of water quality needed to achieve and protect a desired use, it is possible to determine the total maximum daily load (TMDL) of pollutants that the water body can receive.

Case Studies

Managing livestock and water for food and fodder New Dehli, India | June 1, 2004 Livestock plays a critical role in the livelihoods of 70 percent of the world’s poor, especially in the marginal, drought-prone and water-scarce areas. Learn more

Wastewater adds value in poor farming communities

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