ASSESSING PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION TO GROUND-WATER - A RAPID APPROACH

A methodology has been developed for identifying hazardous pesticides/site combinations threatening ground-water contamination. Screening methodologies are required to determine which locations and pesticides now in use should receive the greatest attention to safeguard the public health. The presented method uses a hazard to ground-water hydrogeological screening model (DRASTIC) and employs a one-dimensional pesticide transport model (CMLS). The method is an efficient and practical technique to identify where particular combinations of pesticides, water management practices, soils, and geology result in the greatest potential hazard to ground-water contamination. Use of the presented approach can reduce sampling needs and expense.