Images

Group of attendees at the National Water Quality Lab's 50th Anniversary Celebration, Denver, Colorado on August 12, 2026

Chemist preparing water quality samples at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). These water samples were collected for PFAS analysis.

Chemist placing water-quality samples in a centrifuge at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). These samples were collected for PFAS analysis.

Chemist reviewing the output of water-quality sample analysis at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). These water samples were collected for the analysis of pesticide contamination.

Chemist running quality-control process on lab equipment at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL)

NWQL scientist loading vials into an analysis system at the National Water Quality Laboratory.

NWQL scientist operates a water chemistry device to analyze water quality.

NWQL scientist adjusting instrumentation on an analyzer during a water‑quality testing procedure.

NWQL scientist preparing a volumetric flask solution for analysis using precise pipetting techniques.

Photograph of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Photo taken on September 8, 2023.

Graph of decadal change in Radium concentration compared to road salt application rate (Lindsay and others, 2021). Increases in concentrations of radium are correlated with road-salt application, and multiple lines of evidence support that the relation is causal. 

Physical Properties

Macroinvertebrates

Building 95

The National Water Quality Lab (Building 95) at the Denver Federal Center, Colorado.

NWQL at dusk

NWQL Townhall - Carlos Arozarena celebrates 50 years of service with Nwql - Usgs

 Colorado & Gunnison Basin map

NWQL

NWQL

NWQL Analytical Services Lab slider image