Survey of Phosphate and ABS Concentrations in Illinois Streams

The rapid increase in the use of synthetic detergents during the past decade has undoubtedly led to the presence of greater quantities of synthetic detergent compounds in sewage effluents and, as a consequence, in certain surface water supplies. Questions have been raised concerning the persistence of these substances in natural waters amd their possible effects on water treatment processes. This article presents data on ortho‐ and condensed phosphates, alkyl benzene sulfonate (ABS), and water quality from a survey of Illinois surface waters made during the period 1955‐57, in which 204 surface water samples were collected and analyzed. The four parts of the Illinois survey are described, along with rainfall and streamflow discharge from this same period, and survey results.