Watershed Conditions Assessment

Watershed conditions assessment is a fundamental tool in the management of metropolitan north Georgia’s water resources. The Metro Water District’s local management measures for watershed conditions assessment and associated standards and methodologies provide for comprehensive and consistent watershed-based water quality monitoring and biological and habitat assessments across the District.  Both long-term water quality trend monitoring and biological and habitat evaluations provide a means of demonstrating progress towards meeting watershed management goals as the Watershed Management Plan is implemented.  Data will also help refine future management strategies to address watershed management and water quality protection within the Metro Water District.

The Metro Water District’s monitoring measures help local governments meet their existing regulatory monitoring requirements, including those of MS4 stormwater programs, watershed assessment plans and TMDL programs.  It is intended to consolidate the many current local monitoring requirements into a larger, comprehensive program that provides consistency in sampling methodologies and effort across the District. This will provide the ability to better compare and analyze data across jurisdictional and watershed boundaries, as well as provide for reduced redundancies and the more effective use of financial resources.

Download the Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water Quality Monitoring (PDF)