ABSTRACT
Pollution abatement strategies for water resources in India and other developing countries have given priority to point sources of pollution (Banadda et al. 2009; Ongley 1996). However, it is increasingly becoming evident that improvement of the quality of surface and groundwater will also require the control of pollution from nonpoint sources (NPS) (Ribaudo 1992). 1 Controlling NPS pollution is particularly crucial in rural areas where groundwater is an important source of drinking water. Groundwater nitrate (NO3) concentration can be considered as an indicator of NPS pollution (Engel et al. 1996).
