National Water Quality Laboratory

World-class environmental analysis and research laboratory located on the campus of Denver, Colorado.

Analytical Services

Environmental analytical capabilities to analyze over 800 inorganic and organic contaminants primarily in water, sediment, and fish tissue.

Methods, Research and Development

Formed in 1987 to address national-level concerns about toxic contaminants in the nation's water resources.

Quality Assurance

Provides oversight of all quality programs documented in the NWQL's comprehensive Quality Management System.

USGS News

National Water Quality Laboratory

Our National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) priority is to continue the important work of the Department of the Interior and the USGS, while also maintaining the health and safety of our employees and community. Based on guidance from the White House, the CDC, and state and local authorities, we are shifting our operations to a virtual mode and have minimal staffing within our offices.

Water Science

Analytical Methods Research and Development, Chemical, Radiological and Biological Analysis...

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Award Winning Capabilities

In-house, Commercial Laboratories and other USGS Laboratories...

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News

October 29, 2021

A comprehensive statewide spatiotemporal stream assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in an agricultural region of the United States

March 16, 2021

Loss of Scientific Integrity Finding at USGS National Water Quality Lab

August 25, 2016

More than a Century of USGS Water Quality Studies in National Parks

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Publications

December 30, 2021

Food, beverage, and feedstock processing facility wastewater: a unique and underappreciated source of contaminants to U.S. streams

Process wastewaters from food, beverage, and feedstock facilities, although regulated, are an under-investigated environmental contaminant source. Food process wastewaters (FPWWs) from 23 facilities in 17 U.S. states were sampled and documented for a plethora of chemical and microbial contaminants. Of the 576 analyzed organics, 184 (32%) were detected at least once, with concentrations as large as

Water Resources, Kansas Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, National Water Quality Laboratory

May 18, 2021

Pilot-scale expanded assessment of inorganic and organic tapwater exposures and predicted effects in Puerto Rico, USA

A pilot-scale expanded target assessment of mixtures of inorganic and organic contaminants in point-of-consumption drinking water (tapwater, TW) was conducted in Puerto Rico (PR) to continue to inform TW exposures and corresponding estimations of cumulative human-health risks across the US. In August 2018, a spatial synoptic pilot assessment of than 524 organic, 37 inorganic, and select microbiolo

Water Resources, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), National Water Quality Laboratory

April 27, 2021

Quality control at the U.S. Geological Survey, National Water Quality Laboratory

No abstract available.

Water Resources, National Water Quality Laboratory

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