Water

The nation's water resources have immeasurable value. These resources encompass lakes, streams, ground water, coastal waters, wetlands, and other waters; their associated ecosystems; and the human uses they support (e.g., drinking water, recreation, and fish consumption). The extent of water resources (their amount and distribution) and their condition (physical, chemical, and biological attributes) are critical to ecosystems, human uses, and the overall function and sustainability of the hydrologic cycle.

Because the extent and condition of water can affect human health, ecosystems, and critical environmental processes, protecting water resources is integral to EPA's mission. EPA works in partnership with other government agencies that are also interested in the extent and condition of water resources, both at the federal level and at the state, local, or tribal level.

The ROE indicators address seven fundamental questions about the state of the nation's waters:

Indicators: Fresh Surface Waters

• What are the trends in the extent and condition of fresh surface waters and their effects on human health and the environment? This question focuses on the nation's rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.
  • Acidity in Lakes and Streams
  • Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Wadeable Streams
  • Cyanobacteria in Lakes  
  • Freshwater Withdrawals
  • Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Agricultural Streams
  • Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Large Rivers
  • Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Wadeable Streams
  • Pesticides in Agricultural Streams
  • Stream Flows
  • Streambed Stability

Indicators: Ground Waters

• What are the trends in the extent and condition of ground water and their effects on human health and the environment? This question addresses subsurface water that occurs in saturated soils and geological formations.
  • Freshwater Withdrawals
  • Nitrate and Pesticides in Ground Water

Indicators: Wetlands

• What are the trends in the extent and condition of wetlands and their effects on human health and the environment? Wetlands—including swamps, bogs, marshes, and similar areas—are areas inundated or saturated by surface or ground water often and long enough to support vegetation that is adapted for life in saturated soil.
  • Wetlands

Indicators: Coastal Waters

• What are the trends in the extent and condition of coastal waters and their effects on human health and the environment? Indicators in this report present data for waters that are generally within 3 miles of the coastline (except the Hypoxia in Gulf of Mexico and Long Island Sound indicator).
  • Coastal Benthic Communities
  • Coastal Fish Tissue
  • Coastal Sediment Quality
  • Hypoxia in Gulf of Mexico and Long Island Sound
  • Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in Chesapeake Bay
  • Trophic State of Coastal Waters
  • Wetlands

Indicators: Drinking Water

• What are the trends in the quality of drinking water and their effects on human health? People drink tap water, which comes from both public and private sources. Sources of drinking water can include both surface water (rivers, lakes, and reservoirs) and ground water.
  • Drinking Water

Indicators: Recreational Waters

• What are the trends in the condition of recreational waters and their effects on human health and the environment? This question addresses water used for a wide variety of purposes, such as swimming, fishing, and boating. The ROE currently features one indicator relevant to all three of these activities.
  • Cyanobacteria in Lakes  

Indicators: Consumable Fish and Shellfish

• What are the trends in the condition of consumable fish and shellfish and their effects on human health? This question focuses on the suitability of fish and shellfish for human consumption.
  • Coastal Fish Tissue
  • Lake Fish Tissue