ABSTRACT
The water quality assessment process has evolved into a set of sophisticated monitoring activities including the use of water chemistry, particulate material and aquatic biota. This chapter presents the combined use of water, particulate matter and biological monitoring in order to produce comprehensive water quality assessments for the principal types of freshwater bodies. It concentrates on the whole assessment process, in different types of water bodies. The main reason for the assessment of the quality of the aquatic environment has been, traditionally, the need to verify whether the observed water quality is suitable for intended uses. The quality of water and particulate matter is estimated through physical and chemical analysis. Laboratories must be selected or set up to meet the objectives of each assessment programme. Water quality assessment should always be seen in the wider context of the management of water resources, encompassing both the quality and quantity aspects.
