Diffuse agricultural nitrate pollution of groundwaters in India

Nitrate pollution of groundwater due to urban waste and industrial effluents usually centres around cities. This study has shown that nitrate levels in groundwater over vast agricultural areas can be correlated with intensive irrigated agriculture, corresponding use of nitrogenous fertilizers and groundwater development, and consequent diffuse agricultural pollution has already endangered the safety of potable groundwater for future generations in both rural and urban areas. Chemical and bacterial treatment of groundwater for nitrate removal relies on advanced technology and is considered costly even in the developed world. In a country like India where economic resources are inadequate, action on the suggested preventive measures may be taken without delay at this stage when alarming trends have been recorded. (C) 1999 IAWQ Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.