ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the formulation and testing of a specific Nitrate Pollution Index for groundwater in agricultural areas in the United States (US) It is concerned with conceptual information related to the development of an index. The chapter focuses on the developed index and its testing via the use of groundwater nitrate data for three geographical areas in the US Factor identification basically consists of delineating key factors that can be used as indicators of environmental quality, or susceptibility to pollution, or the pollution potential of the source type. The development of scaling or evaluation approaches should be based on the collective professional judgment of knowledgeable individuals relative to the environmental media or pollution source, category. In areas where the aquifer is unconfined or where the confining layer is not continuous, recharge to the aquifer can occur readily, and the nitrate pollution potential is enhanced.
