Water quality comparisons typically focus on Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), chloride, and nitrates.
Water quality varies from source to source and is influenced by natural and human factors.
The origin of water pollution is generally characterized as either being from nonpoint (diffuse) or point sources.
A watershed is a gathering place for water. It is an area of land from which all runoff flows and gathers to form creeks, rivers, and eventually makes its way to a larger body of water.