Alabama Water Quality Information System

— Choose a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) —


	1.-		How are the conditions in NPDES permits enforced by EPA and the states?


	2.-		How can biological water quality criteria be used in a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program?


	3.-		How can sampling affect variability of bioassay laboratory tests for whole effluent toxicity (WET)?


	4.-		How do we measure water quality?


	5.-		How do you access the STORET water quality data, which originates from many sources but is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?


	6.-		How does the liquid pH test kit work?


	7.-		How is an index of biological integrity (IBI) developed for wetlands?


	8.-		How long does a bioassay test for acute whole effluent toxicity (WET) take?


	9.-		How long does a bioassay test for chronic whole effluent toxicity (WET) take?


	10.-		How much does beach water quality monitoring cost?


	11.-		How much would it cost to implement state-wide biological water quality monitoring?


	12.-		How should a state or authorized tribe determine whether nutrient criteria are attained in a particular water source?


	13.-		How will implementing biological criteria benefit State water quality programs?


	14.-		Should all beaches be monitored?


	15.-		Should we be worried about ecological and/or human health effects of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) showing up in our water sources including drinking water at the tap?


	16.-		What are biological assessments of wetlands?


	17.-		What are buffer solutions and how are they used to calibrate pH test meters?


	18.-		What are some concerns of dischargers for using biological criteria to monitor water quality and pollution impacts?


	19.-		What are the differences between bioassay tests for acute and chronic whole effluent toxicity (WET)?


	20.-		What can cause variability in bioassay tests for whole effluent toxicity (WET) in laboratory samples?


	21.-		What concerns do environmentalists have about the use of biological criteria to monitor water quality and pollution impacts?


	22.-		What do Aquatic Scientists Study?


	23.-		What expertise and staff will be needed to implement a biological criteria program for water quality and pollution assessment?


	24.-		What happens to water quality monitoring data and where can it be accessed?


	25.-		What is a bioassay test for whole effluent toxicity (WET)?


	26.-		What is a bioassay?


	27.-		What is an index of biological integrity (IBI) for determining wetland health?


	28.-		What is biological integrity?


	29.-		What is water quality monitoring?


	30.-		What organisms are used for bioassay testing of whole effluent toxicity (WET)?

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This website was developed by the ACES Water Quality Team, under the leadership of Dr. James E. Hairston. It is funded, in part, by USDA-CSREES water quality grant support under Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998.