Water Quality Monitoring

Importance of Water Quality Monitoring

Water quality is the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water. It is usually a measure in respect of the suitability of water for a specific purpose, such as drinking or agriculture. Water quality monitoring is important because it provides empirical evidence to facilitate sound decisions related to the management of water quality today and in the future. Monitoring water quality is used to identify changes or trends that in water bodies over the long or short term; to detect current problems, or those that could emerge in the future; and to determine whether there is compliance with standards and thus protect the water for its uses. Furthermore, results from monitoring water quality are used to formulate policies related to water; to evaluate whether these water policies are effective, and revise, if necessary, to ensure the protection of human health and the environment (Myers, n.d.).

Reference

Myers, D. (n.d.). Environment: Why monitor water quality?
https://water.usgs.gov/owq/WhyMonitorWaterQuality.pdf