&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
                                                        Office of Water (45G3F)'
                                                        Washington, DC 20460
EPA841-F-95-G1G
December 1995
Water Quality Conditions in the United States
A Profile from the 1994 National Water Quality Inventory
Report to Congress
 Findings

 Based on the latest information reported to EPA by States,
 Tribes, and other jurisdictions with water quality responsibili-
 ties, about 40% of the Nation's surveyed rivers, lakes, and
 estuaries are not clean enough for basic uses such as fishing
 or swimming. The results are consistent with data last
 reported in 1992 and show that rnore work is needed if
 waters are to be made clean and healthy in all communities.;

 These results are based on water quality surveys conducted in
 1992 and 1993. Nationwide, 1 7% of rivers, 42% of lakes,
 and 78% of estuaries were surveyed.

 Polluted runoff from rainstorms and snowmelt is the leading
 cause of impairment in rivers, lakes, and estuaries. For rivers
 and lakes, runoff from agricultural lands is the biggest source
 of pollution. Storm sewers and urban runoff are the leading
 sources of pollution in estuaries. Bacteria, which can cause
 illnesses in swimmers and others involved in water-contact
 sports, are the rnost common pollutants impacting rivers.
 Nutrients, such as phosphates and nitrates, are the most
 often reported pollutant in Jakes and estuaries. In excess,
 nutrients can create a chain of impacts that include algal
 blooms, fish kills, foul odors, and weed growth.
 I        =

 Background

 Water quality surveys are conducted to determine a "
 waterbody's overall health, including whether or not basic
 uses are being met. States, Tribes, or other jurisdictions define
 appropriate uses for a waterbody and incorporate these uses
 into water quaNty standards that are approved by EPA.

 States and other jurisdictions conductwater quality surveys
 and report the findings to EPA every 2 years. EPA then
 prepares a biennial Report to Congress, which represents the
 most complete and up-to-date snapshot of water quality
 conditions around the country. This report is the tenth in a
series of reports that have been prepared and submitted to
Congress since 1975.        .
                                   About 40% of the Nation's surveyed
                                 rivers, lakes, and estuaries are not clean
                                     enough to meet basic uses such
                                         as fishing or swimming.
                                      How Our Waters Are Used
                                                Aquatic Life
                                                Fish Consumption
                                                Shellfishing
                                                Swimming
                                                Other Recreational Uses
                                                Drinking Water
                                                            ssgair     -Agriculture

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 Leading Causes
 ! of Pollution i
1
2
3
4
5
; Bacteria
Siltation
', Nutrients
! Oxygen-Depleting
Substances
Metals
                         About 36% of surveyed rivers are
                         impaired - about the equivalent
                         of 100 Mississippi Rivers.
                         The U.S. has 3.5 million miles of
                         rivers and streams.
                         Surveys were conducted on
                         615,806 miles, or 17%.
                                             Leading Sources
                                              ' of Pollution
1
2
3
4
5
Agriculture
Municipal Sewage
Treatment Plants
Hydrologic/Habitat
Modification
Urban Runoff/
Storm Sewers
Resource Extraction
Leading Causes
 of Pollution
1
2
3
4
5
Nutrients
Siltation
Oxygen-Depleting
Substances
Metals
Suspended Solids
                        About 37% of surveyed lakes are
                        impaired - about the equivalent
                        of 6 Great Salt Lakes.
                        The U.S. has 41 million acres of lakes.
                        Surveys were conducted on about
                        17 million acres, or 42%.*
                      *Excludes the Great Lakes.
                                             Leading Sources
                                              of Pollution
1
2
3
' 4
5
Agriculture
Municipal Sewage
Treatment Plants
Urban Runoff/ '
Storm Sewers
Unspecified
Nonpoint Sources
Hydrologic/Habitat
Modification
Leading Causes
 of Pollution
  Nutrients
  Bacteria
  Oxygen-Depleting
  Substances
  Habitat Alterations
  Oil and Grease
                                 M Estuary Profile
• About 37% of surveyed estuaries
  are impaired - about the equiva-
  lent of 3 Chesapeake Bays.
• The U.S. has 34,400 square miles
  of estuaries.*
• Surveys were  conducted on about
  27,000 square miles, or 78%.
*Excludes an unknown number of estuaries in Alaska.
                                             Leading'Sources
                                              of Pollution
1
2
3
4
5
Urban Runoff/
Storm Sewers
Municipal Sewage
Treatment Plants
Agriculture
Industrial Point
Sources
Petroleum Activities

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