Overview of the NAWQA Program, Selection of Basins and Development of Regional Monitoring, by Wayne Lapham & Francesca Wilde

>presented Tuesday April 17^th, 9- 10 am

It is critical to have clear and specific objectives for monitoring.  An approach should respond to the questions that each investigator needs to know i.e. elements, concentration, frequency as well as type of mixtures encountered.

Concerning the sustainability of resources, future scenarios must be considered: water quality trends, reasons changes, future trends with and without scenarios for specific management responses.

This has resulted in a lot of interest about achieving the necessary conditions that govern water quality.  One needs to know info about: land use, natural status of the resource, geochemical information, climate etc.

This has also resulted in a greater value given to the manner in which concepts used for the data in relation to objects at multiple scales: local, regional and national.

The explanation of the selection of most important aquifers from the 62 largest existing in the Usa that permitted assessment  was logical. There are  local areas with unified studies (40 areas), and regional summaries in around 20 of the principle aquifers.

Existing capacities needed,  reinforced the need to promote these activities actively. USGS possesses an “National Country Manual” to facilitate the investigation of groundwater resources.

This advocates furthermore, the constant preoccupation and investments in water quality control, testing employee procedures, lab analysis etc.

Blog Rapporteur: Jorge Santa-Cruz