Goal 4: Increase Quality of Water

Improve quality of drinking water, irrigation water, and in-stream flows to protect human and environmental health. 

Objectives

  • Increase conjunctive management of new and recycled water from multiple sources
  • Improve water quality for human uses and as a consequence of human use
  • Protect the natural systems that maintain water quality

Associated Indicators

Percent Recycled Water

Use of recycled water as a percent of total water used. Re-using water reduces the demand on existing and new water sources and reduces costs and impacts.

Periphyton Cover and Biomass

The amount and extent of cover of algae attached to the benthos and other underwater surfaces. Excess algae can harm aquatic ecosystems and reflects a combination of effects of land and water use on aquatic ecosystems.

Pollutant and Bacteria Index

An index composed of indicators of chemical and bacterial pollution. Indices lack the precision of individual component indicators, but can provide evidence of overall condition.

Potentially Unhealthy Water Supply

Number of people whose drinking water supply is potentially unhealthy. Whether or not water is unhealthy to drink will depend on the concentrations of specific contaminants as well as synergistic effects of multiple contaminants.

Stream Condition Index

This is a biological index, composed of indicators & metrics representing the condition of the benthic invertebrate communities living in streams and rivers. The presence and abundance of aquatic plants and animals can provide an indication of waterway and landscape disturbance, geomorphic conditions, appropriate water availability, and water quality. Comparing the measured presence (observed) of native species or groups to the expected presence of these species or groups is one way of measuring watershed and waterway conditions.

Upstream Protected Lands (WRI)

Upstream protected land measures the percentage of total water supply that originates from protected ecosystems. Modified land use can affect the health of freshwater ecosystems and have severe downstream impacts on both water quality and quantity. The World Resources Institute used this indicator in the Aqueduct 2.0 project.