The Watershed Monitoring Section (WMS) manages two statewide water quality monitoring programs, the Status Network and the Trend Network.

Each network answers questions about the conditions of Florida’s surface waters (includes rivers, streams, canals and lakes) and groundwater sites (includes unconfined and confined aquifers and two spring vents). The department uses data from both networks to develop protection and restoration goals.

WMS developed a series of report card documents to present water quality results to a variety of users. 

Status Network Report Cards

The Status Network gives a snapshot of statewide water conditions. The department uses field and laboratory results to calculate the portion of waters meeting water quality standards. This network is not designed to answer questions about specific waterbodies. Status Network report card documents are updated annually.

Trend Network Report Cards

Trends represent change over time. The Trend Network tracks long-term changes in water quality at fixed surface water and groundwater sites. Examining water quality trends helps DEP determine if waterbody conditions are staying the same, improving or declining. Trends can help the department evaluate the effectiveness of its rules and water policies. Trend Network report card documents are updated every four years.

Open one of the documents linked below to explore surface water or groundwater trends. 

What do "increasing" or "decreasing" trends mean?

For example, within surface waters, increasing trends in dissolved oxygen indicate an improved water quality condition (i.e., higher levels of oxygen support increased biodiversity in aquatic communities). In contrast, increasing trends of fecal coliforms in either surface or ground water may indicate impacts from human activities.

For example, within ground water wells, an increasing trend in the depth before reaching the water table generally indicates a decline in the availability of the ground water resource. An indication of no trend for pH in ground water may indicate more stable conditions versus an upward trend of pH indicating conditions of unfavorable change.

Last Modified: Wednesday, Jan 07, 2026 - 07:25am