The USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Project (NAWQA) is now part of the USGS National Water-Quality Network (NWQN). NWQN provides nationally consistent data and information on the quality of the Nation’s water. Studies provide information on current water-quality conditions, a baseline for trend evaluation, and an understanding of what factors affect water quality. Groundwater studies for the NWQN program provide information on the quality of water in shallow monitoring wells, domestic-supply wells, and public-supply wells. Surface water data collected as part of the NWQN is used in a national context to describe water quality characteristics of rivers and streams influenced by various land uses (urban, agricultural, and reference).
In 1991, Congress established the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) to address where, when, why, and how the Nation's water quality has changed, or is likely to change in the future, in response to human activities and natural factors. The scientific data is used by national, regional, state, and local agencies to develop science-based policies and management strategies to improve and protect water resources used for drinking water, recreation, irrigation, energy development, and ecosystem needs.
Groundwater Studies
As part of the NWQN, groundwater quality is being characterized in the nation’s Principle aquifers, including the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system underlying southern New Jersey. Studies of Groundwater quality – Current Conditions and Changes Through Time at well networks.
As part of the NWQN, USGS scientists collect and record both water levels and water quality data in the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system.
The Decadal Change in Groundwater Quality web-mapping application shows how concentrations of pesticides, nutrients, metals, and organic contaminants in groundwater are changing during decadal periods across the Nation.
Surface-Water Studies
The NWQN characterizes the status and trends of water quality by monitoring ambient water-quality in rivers and streams and is the primary source of data for the systematic annual reporting of ambient conditions nationally. The NWQN includes large river coastal sites, large river inland sites, wadeable stream reference sites, wadeable stream urban sites, and wadeable stream agricultural sites.
USGS National Water Quality Monitoring Network
Two NWQN sites are currently monitored in New Jersey:
The large coastal river site Delaware River at Trenton, NJ (USGS Site ID 01463500). Water-quality samples are collected from this site 14 times per year and analyzed for:
- Field Parameters such as pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen and turbidity
- Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus species)
- Chloride and sulfate
- Total dissolved solids
- Dissolved organic and inorganic carbon
- Selected trace elements
- Suspended sediment
- Pesticides
- PFAs
The reference site McDonalds Branch in Byrne State Forest, NJ (USGS Site ID 01466500). Water-quality samples are collected from this site 18 times per year and analyzed for:
- Field Parameters such as pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen and turbidity
- Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus species)
- Chloride and sulfate
- Dissolved organic carbon
- Selected trace elements
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA)
National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Projects in New Jersey Archive
The USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Project (NAWQA) is now part of the USGS National Water-Quality Network (NWQN). NWQN provides nationally consistent data and information on the quality of the Nation’s water. Studies provide information on current water-quality conditions, a baseline for trend evaluation, and an understanding of what factors affect water quality. Groundwater studies for the NWQN program provide information on the quality of water in shallow monitoring wells, domestic-supply wells, and public-supply wells. Surface water data collected as part of the NWQN is used in a national context to describe water quality characteristics of rivers and streams influenced by various land uses (urban, agricultural, and reference).
In 1991, Congress established the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) to address where, when, why, and how the Nation's water quality has changed, or is likely to change in the future, in response to human activities and natural factors. The scientific data is used by national, regional, state, and local agencies to develop science-based policies and management strategies to improve and protect water resources used for drinking water, recreation, irrigation, energy development, and ecosystem needs.
Groundwater Studies
As part of the NWQN, groundwater quality is being characterized in the nation’s Principle aquifers, including the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system underlying southern New Jersey. Studies of Groundwater quality – Current Conditions and Changes Through Time at well networks.
As part of the NWQN, USGS scientists collect and record both water levels and water quality data in the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system.
The Decadal Change in Groundwater Quality web-mapping application shows how concentrations of pesticides, nutrients, metals, and organic contaminants in groundwater are changing during decadal periods across the Nation.
Surface-Water Studies
The NWQN characterizes the status and trends of water quality by monitoring ambient water-quality in rivers and streams and is the primary source of data for the systematic annual reporting of ambient conditions nationally. The NWQN includes large river coastal sites, large river inland sites, wadeable stream reference sites, wadeable stream urban sites, and wadeable stream agricultural sites.
USGS National Water Quality Monitoring Network
Two NWQN sites are currently monitored in New Jersey:
The large coastal river site Delaware River at Trenton, NJ (USGS Site ID 01463500). Water-quality samples are collected from this site 14 times per year and analyzed for:
- Field Parameters such as pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen and turbidity
- Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus species)
- Chloride and sulfate
- Total dissolved solids
- Dissolved organic and inorganic carbon
- Selected trace elements
- Suspended sediment
- Pesticides
- PFAs
The reference site McDonalds Branch in Byrne State Forest, NJ (USGS Site ID 01466500). Water-quality samples are collected from this site 18 times per year and analyzed for:
- Field Parameters such as pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen and turbidity
- Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus species)
- Chloride and sulfate
- Dissolved organic carbon
- Selected trace elements
Below are other science projects associated with this project.