The role of routine water quality surveillance was investigated, including a delineation of the objectives of a state water quality program based upon the state and federal laws. Seven specific objectives are listed under the two general objectives of prevention and abatement: planning, research, aid programs, technical assistance, regulation, enforcement, and data collection, processing, and dissemination. Each objective was broken down into the general activities required for its accomplishment and the data needed for each activity were identified. A survey of systems for grab sampling, automatic monitoring, and remote sensing was performed, each data acquisition technique being analyzed for capabilities, reliability, and cost. A procedure was developed for designing a state water quality surveillance program responsive to objectives. Financial and manpower constraints are considered. (Modified author abstract)