Water quality is the qualitative description of the health of a body of water. Good water quality means the water is safe for aquatic life and for human consumption. Poor water quality means the water is not suitable to sustain aquatic life or for human use.

In recent years the issue of water quality has become a very visible and emotional topic. Extinction of marine species, large fish kills and loss of human life have all been blamed on poor water quality.

Even though most of the developed world has the infrastructure to provide clean water to its citizens, a consistent record of good water quality still eludes most societies.

Many factors impact water quality, including land use, industrial discharges, agricultural run-off, urban run-off. Most societies recognize that ensuring good water quality takes a lot of work and that citizens must look at water resources as something to protect.

Topics on water quality:
Water Quality Instrument Flexibility In Groundwater Monitoring
Automated Water Quality Monitoring Field Manual
Continuous water quality monitoring opens a window on the world's largest water reclamation district
Environmental Home Page