Elements needed in design of a ground-water quality monitoring network in the Hawaiian Islands

Abstract

The elements needed in the design of a ground-water-quality monitoring network in the Hawaiian Islands are described and summarized. The elements are given by geohydrologic units which represent areas where there are similarities in the occurrence of ground water or in the geology pertinent to the occurrence of ground water. The goal is to establish a network of observation points to inventory and maintain surveillance of existing and potential sources of pollution of ground wazer. Of principal concern to Hawaii's environment is pollution of the potable ground-water supplies and of the near-shore recreational waters, the latter by the discharge of polluted ground water. Existing monitoring efforts, although intensive in many areas, are not adequate because they are geared more toward detection and surveillance of pollutants in the conveyances of ground water instead of in the sources of ground water, and also in the monitoring of extensive nonpoint sources of pollution instead of from discrete point sources.