In 2006, Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) began sampling the water features within and adjacent to natural areas owned by the County and managed by ERM. The intent of this program is to provide scientific water quality data that will provide a baseline of water quality conditions and assist in land management decisions. Its intent is to assess the baseline conditions, detect temporal change, and to evaluate the extent of change (multivariate trend analyses) that may exceed the natural variations of the water quality within each natural area. ERM developed the Natural Areas Water Quality Monitoring to monitor twenty-eight (28) water quality monitoring stations within thirteen (13) natural areas. Prior to this time very little or no data was available to make scientific decisions related to habitat productivity, development, and sustainability. The monitoring program is designed to assist this effort. Standard parameters are included, and sampling protocol can provide both temporal and spatial variability. Bimonthly monitoring of these parcels provide the information needed to determine a baseline water quality for individual parcels.
Regional ecosystem assessment - A floral or faunal project that has a relatively large geographic footprint
Trend analyses - Project is long-term; may be an "ambient" monitoring project of long duration
Habitat assessment - Project is related to floral/faunal species health, diversity or abundance
Salt water intrusion - Groundwater monitoring project that focuses on water level, and total dissolved solids, sulfates, specific conductance, or chloride measurements
Regulatory - Refers to projects or permits for modifying environmental conditions or features; project monitoring mandated by a government agency
Research - Primary intent of project is educational/research
Resource management - Project monitoring results are used to assess the necessity for, or effectiveness of, management activities
Potable water supply - Project monitors Class I waters, reservoirs, drinking water, or public water supply
Other - This project's purpose is not represented in any of the predefined themes
Health and safety - Project monitors locations or events that affect human health and safety, such as beaches, shellfish, potable water wells