Environmental staff routinely conducts surface water monitoring to measure the chemical and physical characteristics of each waterbody.

Water Quality Standards protect water resources by setting limits on the amount of pollutants allowed to enter a waterbody. Standards are set by defining the goals of a waterbody and designating the uses of the waterbody, and then setting criteria to protect those uses. Under the Clean Water Act, each state is required to establish Water Quality Standards for waters within their jurisdictions. Federally recognized tribes are eligible to set their own Water Quality Standards, Morongo has begun this process.

In 1972 the Clean Water Act (CWA) was developed to address growing environmental and public health concerns related to water pollution. The Act created mechanisms to regulate the discharge of pollutants and to ensure water quality protection. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary federal agency responsible for administering the CWA. Federally recognized tribes are eligible to administer certain activities of the CWA including the development of water quality programs and standards.