Water Quality Monitoring

Background

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection's (NDEP) Bureau of Water Quality Planning (BWQP) oversees the collection of environmental data that is used to characterize the physical, chemical and biological conditions of water bodies throughout Nevada.

Water Quality Monitoring Program

The water quality monitoring program includes routine sampling at more than 70 sites on the State's major river and stream systems.

Mercury Water Quality Data

• Excell Data File - period of record (2,119 KB File)

Water Quality Standards 

Water quality standards define the water quality goals of a water body by designating beneficial uses of the water and setting numeric or narrative criteria necessary to protect those uses. Beneficial uses established in the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 445A.122 include:

• watering of livestock
• irrigation
• aquatic life
• recreation involving contact with water
• recreation not involving contact with water
• municipal or domestic supply
• industrial supply
• propagation of wildlife
• waters of extraordinary ecological or aesthetic value, and
• enhancement of water quality

Water quality standards are adopted by the State Environmental Commission (SEC) and are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water quality standards for metals (including mercury) and other toxic compounds are contained in the NAC 445A.144. The standards are based on concentrations found in the water column and do not include standards for fish tissue.

Nevada Water Quality Standards:

• Nevada water quality standards (NAC 445A.11704 - NAC 445A.225)
• Standards for toxic materials including mercury (NAC 445A.144)