The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced the Water Quality Indicators (WQI) tool, an interface that allows users to compare data from water monitoring stations across the country. Released on September 18, 2024, the WQI is designed to facilitate the exploration of nutrient and pathogen data and identify potential sources contributing to water quality issues.
The tool enables users to observe pollutant level trends from nearby monitoring stations and make comparisons with other stations nationwide. It also provides information on facilities, including compliance records and environmental justice indicators gathered through EJScreen, EPA’s environmental justice screening and mapping tool.
“Every community in the United States deserves healthy rivers and streams. Whenever that is not the case, EPA wants communities to have access to information about water pollution and possible sources of any unsafe conditions,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA’s new Water Quality Indicators Tool will help communities understand local nutrient and pathogen pollution and help communities develop solutions to water pollution challenges.”
The Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) collaborates with state regulatory partners to enforce permit limits under the Clean Water Act. The WQI tool is part of OECA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website, which also provides inspection, violation, and enforcement information for permitted dischargers.
To assist users in navigating the WQI tool, EPA is developing a short video tutorial that will be available on the ECHO Video Tutorials page upon completion.
Further details about EPA's efforts to address nutrient pollution can be found on their website. Nutrient pollution arises when excess nitrogen and phosphorus from various sources enter waterways, impacting human health, environmental health, and the economy.
Additionally, information regarding EPA's initiatives to protect recreational water bodies from pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms is available online.
EPA encourages public participation in protecting the environment through its Report an Environmental Violation web page where individuals can report suspected violations or harmful activities in their community or workplace.
A webinar demonstrating how to use the WQI tool will be held on Tuesday October 1, 2024, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. EST. Registration for this webinar can be completed at the WQI Tool – Public Training Exit EPA’s website page.
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