Every month, ecologists from the Northern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) collect water samples from dozens of monitoring sites within and close to ten National Park Service units in Utah and Colorado. After analyzing the samples, they report the results to park managers. Professional LCRA monitors also perform tests to evaluate water quality, providing an early warning system for potential water contamination. It is essential to understand the quality of water in our lakes, reservoirs and rivers, as low-quality water can affect aquatic habitat and make it unsuitable for healthy fish populations. Monitoring source water supplies is also necessary to ensure our drinking water is safe for use.
In Colorado, we use our lakes, reservoirs and rivers for recreational purposes, so any contamination can be a public health hazard. The Water Quality Control Commission sets state standards for surface and groundwater, reporting to the Colorado State Department of Public Health (& Environment). Most of the parks in the NCPN are located in semiarid or arid environments, where water is a major factor in determining the distribution of flora, fauna and historical human presence. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was enacted in 1974 to protect public drinking water supplies. The Geological Survey carries out water monitoring activities in Colorado as part of national research projects, collecting and analyzing chemical, physical and biological properties of water, sediment and tissue samples from across the state. In certain parts of the state, some soils naturally contain potentially contaminating substances like selenium, which can be accelerated into surface and groundwater through irrigation and livestock grazing activities.
The Colorado Geological Survey's Water Quality web page has general information on water quality in Colorado, with links to documents related to its current projects. The city also goes beyond regulatory requirements by monitoring more than 450 substances related to water quality, including basic chemicals, nutrients, bacteria, metals, disinfection byproducts, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, hormones and radionuclides. Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants are primarily required to set effluent limits based on technology or water quality. Domestic wastewater usually receives substantial treatment before it is discharged into Colorado streams; however this can still increase concentrations of ammonia, nutrients and pathogens while reducing oxygen levels in the receiving water source. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act was created in 1948 as one of the first major laws to address water pollution in the United States. Colorado State University experts have also developed an online evaluation tool to interpret the results of a water sample.
Sedimentation can impair food sources or fill in shallow slow-moving habitats that provide important cover and shelter for aquatic life. However, under Colorado legislation agricultural stormwater runoff, irrigation return flows and certain water management activities related to storage or supply are exempt from regulation. The results are reported to the Water Quality Control Division which uses them to determine if dischargers meet permit requirements or if legal action is necessary for compliance. At NCPN we understand how important it is to monitor water quality in North-Central Colorado. We take our responsibility seriously when it comes to protecting our environment from potential contamination. Our team of ecologists collects samples from dozens of monitoring sites every month and reports their findings to park managers.
We also collaborate with other organizations such as LCRA monitors who provide an early warning system for potential contamination. We also work closely with the Water Quality Control Commission who sets state standards for surface and groundwater. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was enacted in 1974 to protect public drinking water supplies while the Geological Survey carries out research projects collecting and analyzing chemical, physical and biological properties of water samples from across the state. Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants are required to set effluent limits based on technology or water quality while domestic wastewater usually receives substantial treatment before it is discharged into Colorado streams. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act was created in 1948 as one of the first major laws to address water pollution in the United States. Colorado State University experts have also developed an online evaluation tool to interpret the results of a water sample. At NCPN we strive to ensure that our lakes, reservoirs and rivers are safe for recreational purposes as well as providing safe drinking water for our communities. We take all necessary steps to monitor source waters supplies and protect our environment from potential contamination.
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