In an effort to protect surface water, ERM monitors the water quality within estuaries, lakes, and canals containing both fresh and salt water. Presently there are over 20 years of data that ERM has collected on the water quality in Palm Beach County. This data is used in the biannual assessment of water quality conditions throughout Florida and the determination of impaired water bodies, as well as for the County's NPDES permit.
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