Monitoring of source water quality is important for identifying potential pollutant problems and sources (to target protection efforts), and for verifying the effectiveness of source water protection programs (including monitoring the effectiveness of BMPs at AFOs). Many monitoring programs target both dry and wet (storm event) sampling of their source water and upstream locations, since the primary pollutant source may vary depending on the amount and recent frequency of rainfall and runoff, the amount of fixed discharges (e.g., public sewage treatment plants), and other factors. Monitoring programs are used as a primary intake water protection measure by many utilities that have no other means of controlling outside activities in their source water area, including utilities drawing source water from major rivers with extensive watersheds.
Some of the key parameters to potentially monitor include the following:
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