standards for each water use based on a thorough knowledge of the water 

 quality requirements for each use. I reached this conclusion because: 



1) Such standards would be uniform over large areas, everyone 

 would be required to meet them, and no economic advantage 

 could be acquired by anyone through exemption from treat- 

 ment; 



2) requirements would apply to all sections of the country, 

 and thus there would be no incentive to move to escape 

 them; 



3) standards would be based on carefully determined require- 

 ments, and no one would be required to treat more than the 

 essential amount; and 



4) the standard, based on scientifically determined require- 

 ments, would provide a firm base for legal actions to 

 abate pollution. 



Since standards should be based on water quality requirements, the 

 first task in a pollution abatement program is to determine water quality 

 requirements. Because a water that is favorable for aquatic life is 

 suitable for all other uses with recourse to available treatment methods, 

 with the possible exception of NO3 in drinking water and bathing waters, 

 discussions of research in this review have been confined to those dealing 

 with the requirements for aquatic life and water supply. Essential 

 research that is to be considered is, therefore, that which is directed 

 toward the determination of water quality requirements for aquatic life. 



Because the determination of water quality requirements for aquatic 

 life is largely a research problem in environmental requirements, ecology, 

 and toxicity, a well-trained, effective, and motivated scientific staff is 

 required along with money for the program, facilities, and equipment 

 essential for the research. Because many of the biologists working in the 

 U.S. Public Health Service regions felt isolated, a conference for all 

 aquatic biologists in the Service associated with any phase of water pollu- 

 tion research and investigations was held in Washington, D.C. in the fall 

 of 1950. This conference raised morale, fostered cooperation, promoted the 

 exchange of ideas and data, and improved the research effort. 



Steps were taken to acquaint the leading conservation organizations 

 with the use and value of water quality standards in a pollution abatement 

 program. Groups contacted were the Sport Fishing Institute, the Isaac 

 Walton League, the National Wildlife Federation, the Wildlife Management 

 Institute, the Audubon Society, and the National Fisheries Institute. 

 Contacts with these groups were continued through the 1950's. I discussed 

 the need and value of water quality standards in six papers published 

 between 1957 and 1962. 



In 1934 an annual literature review was begun by the Sewage Works 

 Journal, now the Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation. Over 



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