Pollutant loadings: Accuracy criteria for river basin management and water quality assessment

The loading concept produces approximate values that are useful for managing tributary and point‐source inputs of deleterious substances to receiving water bodies. River loadings are subject to large measurement inaccuracies and scientific uncertainties. Simulation, using random numbers, produces calculated loads that are within the error of fluxes obtained from typical river sampling programmes. Data for which analytical quality assurance is unknown may be suitable for loadings purposes. There may be more cost‐effective ways of obtaining data for loadings purposes. Agencies that focus on analytical accuracy may be misstating their confidence in making management judgement based on loadings.