Pesticides in the Nation's Streams and Ground Water

In a ten-year national assessment of the quality of the nation's water released March 3, 2006, the USGS found that pesticides are present in most streams in urban and agricultural areas but are less commonly found in ground water. While pesticide concentrations are not at levels typically harmful to humans, they may affect aquatic life or fish-eating wildlife. The report, The Quality of Our Nation's Waters: Pesticides in the Nation's Streams and Ground Water, 1992-2001 is available full-text online at the USGS web site. Also available are companion fact sheets and technical documentation.