Nitrate is one of the most common contaminants in ground water in Arizona, exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL) in many aquifers in the state. Excessive nitrate concentrations in water supplies pose serious public health risks.
This study enables ADEQ and other decision-makers to predict ground water vulnerability to nitrate contamination in areas of the state where nitrate information is not available. Using predicted probabilities, based on a number of parameters, probability maps for Arizona were generated that identify locations where nitrate contamination in ground water is most likely to occur.
This study was funded through the University of Arizona Water Sustainability Program and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.