Water "quality" is defined as the physical, chemical, and biological condition of water as applied to a specific use. Federal and state guidelines set water quality standards based on the water's intended use, that is, whether it is for recreation, fishing, drinking, navigation, shellfish harvesting, or agriculture.
To assess water quality within 16 South Florida counties, the South Florida Water Management District monitors surface water in a variety of locations, including canals, pumping stations, agricultural discharges, and many other types of aquatic environments. The District also monitors sediments and fish for a variety of pollutants, including nutrients, trace metals and pesticides, which can be conveyed by water.
The majority of the District's water quality monitoring programs provide data for legal mandates, such as the Everglades Forever Act and the Lake Okeechobee Protection Plan, and memoranda of agreement with other agencies and public groups. In addition, multiple permits issued to the District to operate the water management system require ongoing water quality monitoring. The remaining programs support various District research projects and other District needs.
While the District conducts most sample collection and analyses, other government agencies assist in water quality sampling in Florida Bay, Everglades National Park and Biscayne Bay. Some state, federal, and private laboratories also assist with water quality analyses.
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