Policy experience with groundwater protection from diffuse pollution - a review

This concise international review focuses on policy experience with the protection of groundwater against diffuse pollution-one of today's greatest environmental challenges. Diffuse pollution encompasses those forms of contaminant load generation, such as agricultural land use practices and urban housing in situ sanitation, that occur on a widespread geographical basis. This cannot be tackled directly through legislation but must be addressed by implementing land use control policies with the relevant stakeholders in appropriate zones. The review also looks at the technical advances in defining priority land areas for protection together with the selection of practical measures for controlling agricultural practices and urban in situ sanitation.

Automated summary

This review discusses the challenge of protecting groundwater from diffuse pollution caused by agricultural and urban activities, emphasizing the need for land use control policies and practical measures. Collaboration with stakeholders, identifying priority areas for protection, and leveraging technological advances are crucial in addressing this environmental issue.