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Water Quality Conditions in the United States, an EPA Report
Information provided by the Environmental Protection Agency--A Profile from the 1998 National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress
The 1998 water quality inventory assessed close to 32% of U.S. waters. The report found that about 40% of U.S. streams, lakes, and estuaries that were tested, were found not to be clean enough to support uses such as fishing and swimming. Leading pollutants in water are: siltation, bacteria, nutrients, and metals. Primary sources for these pollutants are runoff from agricultural lands and urban areas.
This report has found that more than 291,000 miles of assessed rivers and streams do
not meet water quality standards. Poor water quality affects aquatic life, fish
consumption, swimming, and drinking water.
- 5% of the nation's ocean shoreline miles were assessed and 12% are impaired, due to
bacteria, turbidity, and excess nutrients. Primary sources of pollution include
urban runoff, storm sewers, and land disposal of wastes.
- 90% of the Great Lakes shorelines were assessed, finding that 96% are impaired due to
pollutants in fish tissue at levels that exceed standards to protect human health.
- Close to 100,000 acres per year of wetlands are being lost through: conversion for
agricultural uses, road construction, and residential developments.
- Groundwater quality was reported as good, however negative impacts have been detected
and are commonly traced back to sources such as leaking underground storage tanks, septic
systems, and landfills.
Summary of Quality of Assessed Rivers, Lakes, and Estuaries
| Waterbody Type |
Rivers (miles) |
Lakes (acres) |
Estuaries (sq. miles) |
| Total Size |
3,662,255 |
41,376,729 |
90,465 |
| Amount Assessed * (% of total) |
842,426 (23%) |
17,390,370 (42%) |
28,687 (32%) |
| Good
(% of assessed) |
463,441 (55%) |
7,927,486 (46%) |
13,439 (47%) |
| Good but Threatened
(% of assessed) |
85,544 (10%) |
1,565,175 (9%) |
2,766 (10%) |
| Polluted
(% of assessed) |
291,264 (35%) |
7,897,110 (45%) |
12,482 (44%) |
*Includes waterbodies assessed as not attainable for one or more uses.
Note: percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Leading Pollutants and Sources Causing Impairment in Assessed Rivers, Lakes, and Estuaries
|
Rivers and Streams |
Lakes, Ponds, Reservoirs |
Estuaries |
| Pollutants: |
Siltation |
Nutrients |
Pathogens (Bacteria) |
|
Pathogens (Bacteria) |
Metals |
Organic Enrichment/ Low Dissolved Oxygen |
|
Nutrients |
Siltation |
Metals |
| Sources: |
Agriculture |
Agriculture |
Municipal Point Source |
|
Hydromodification |
Hydromodification |
Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers |
|
Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers |
Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers |
Atmospheric Deposition |
For a copy of the National Water Quality Inventory: 1998 Report to Congress (EPA841-R-00-001), visit www.epa.gov/305b or call EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications at 1-800-490-9198.
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