Monitoring and Assessment
The Division of Water (DOW) maintains a comprehensive water quality monitoring and assessment program to support the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the Commonwealth's water resources. Surface and groundwater monitoring programs rely on an array of standardized and reproducible scientific methods to measure the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of various waterbody types. These methods include water chemistry sampling to measure conventional and toxic pollutants and emerging contaminants, standardized biological surveys that describe the richness and functional diversity of aquatic communities, and response-based sampling activities that inform recreators of increased health risks. For more information on these methods please visit the Division's QA/QC and SOP page. Depending on the objectives of a particular monitoring program, sampling designs may include targeted or randomly selected waters and are situated throughout the many unique biogeographic regions of the state. As required by Sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, every two years the Division conducts formal assessments on the health and condition of waters. Assessment methodologies are derived from the regulatory framework of Kentucky's water quality standards, which define designated uses for all waters and the minimum conditions (criteria) that are required to support those uses.