Water-Quality Assessment of Part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, Minnesota and Wisconsin—Ground-Water Quality along a Flow System in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, 1997-98

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is committed to serve the Nation with accurate and timely
scientific information that helps enhance and protect the overall quality of life, and facilitates
effective management of water, biological, energy, and mineral resources. (http://www.usgs.
gov/). Information on the quality of the Nation’s water resources is of critical interest to the
USGS because it is so integrally linked to the long-term availability of water that is clean and
safe for drinking and recreation and that is suitable for industry, irrigation, and habitat for fish
and wildlife. Escalating population growth and increasing demands for the multiple water uses
make water availability, now measured in terms of quantity and quality, even more critical to the
long-term sustainability of our communities and ecosystems.