How can groundwater become contaminated?
Several sources can contaminate groundwater: • Nature can contaminate groundwater by dissolving rocks and minerals that create very high salt content in groundwater, making it undrinkable. Shallow groundwater may become contaminated with bacteria or pathogens, and as organic matter decomposes, with nitrates. • Agriculture can contaminate water with waste from animal feedlots or confinement areas and with agricultural chemicals such as plant nutrients and pesticides. • Industry and municipalities contaminate groundwater with wastes, runoff and sewage disposal. • Household septic systems can contaminate groundwater. Groundwater or well contamination? Well water contamination can be caused by the sources listed above. However, well water may only be contaminated locally. Contamination comes through the walls of the well. Groundwater contamination implies a much larger land area as a contaminate source. People who work with groundwater quality usually use two broad terms to describe the or
