Groundwater Pollution Risk Assessment Research Articles

Distributed data collection and web-based integration for more efficient and informative groundwater pollution risk assessment

We present a web-based software platform for assimilation of field data on groundwater vulnerability and assessment of groundwater pollution risk. Groundwater vulnerability and risk assessments couple hydrogeologic characterization and pollution source information to provide a relative measure of risk to a groundwater supply. Vulnerability is based solely on hydrogeologic factors, while risk also considers pollution hazards. Previous studies have identified two key limitations in the collection of pollution hazards information: detailed investigations throughout a study area are extremely time-consuming, and pollution inventories are not regularly updated to reflect changes in land use. This paper presents a methodology to address these two limitations by allowing broad-based effort to collect pollution hazard parameters in the field using GPS-tagged smartphone forms and incorporating the new information rapidly into a web-based risk modelling framework. To demonstrate this approach, a case-study is presented from the Natuf Basin in the Ramallah-Al Bireh Governorate of Palestine.

A modified SINTACS method for groundwater vulnerability and pollution risk assessment in highly anthropized regions based on NO3− and SO42− concentrations

Groundwater vulnerability and risk assessment are worldwide tools in supporting groundwater protection and land planning. In this study, we used three of these different methodologies applied to the Campanian Plain located in southern Italy: SINTACS, AVI and LOS. However, their capability to describe the observed chemical pollution of the area has resulted quite poor. For such a reason, a modified SINTACS method has been then implemented in the area in order to get a more reliable view of groundwater vulnerability. NO3− and SO42− from more than 400 monitoring wells were used for specific vulnerability assessment. Land use was chosen as key parameter to infer the risk of groundwater pollution in our area. The new methodology seems to show a higher correlation with observed NO3− concentrations and a more reliable identification of aquifer's pollution hot spots. The main sources of NO3− were found in sub-urban areas, where vulnerability and risk are higher than in other areas. Otherwise due to reducing conditions triggered by the presence of elevated sedimentary organic matter and peat, concentrations below agricultural areas were lower than in sub-urban areas. The SO42− specific vulnerability map showed a positive correlation with observed concentrations, due to geogenic and anthropogenic SO42− sources present in the area. The combination of both NO3− and SO42− derived risk maps becomes essential to improve the conceptual model of aquifer pollution in this severely anthropized area. The application of this new and original approach shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of each of the described previous methods and clearly showed how anthropogenic activities have to be taken into account in the assessment process.

A GIS-based LVF model for semiquantitative assessment of groundwater pollution risk: A case study in Shenyang, NE China

ABSTRACTGroundwater pollution risk assessment is a useful tool to prevent and control groundwater pollution, but its quantitative research is still relatively immature. In this study, a geographic information system based LVF model for a semiquantitative assessment of groundwater pollution risk is established, based on the groundwater pollution source load (L), groundwater vulnerability (V), and groundwater function value (F). Further, the pollution source load is characterized by seven specific pollution sources, the vulnerability is calculated by the modified DRASTIC method, and the groundwater function value is evaluated with the water quality and quantity. The model was used to assess the risk of shallow groundwater pollution in Shenyang city, Northeast China, with an area of 8,263 km2. The results show that highest risk areas account for 16.3% of the study area and are mainly distributed in the east of the study area. High risk areas are significantly affected by a shallow buried depth of groundwater and many types of harmful pollutants from industrial, agricultural, and domestic pollution sources. The evaluation results reflect the risk of groundwater pollution in the Shenyang area, which is relevant to the management and sustainable use of groundwater resources in the area.

Evaluation of groundwater vulnerability in El-Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt, using modelling and GIS techniques: A case study

The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer (NSSA) is the main groundwater resource of the El-Bahariya Oasis, which is located in the middle of the Western Desert of Egypt. This aquifer is composed mainly of continental clastic sediments of sandstone with shale and clay intercalations of saturated thickness ranging between 100 and 1500 m. Vulnerability assessment to delineate areas that are more susceptible to contamination from anthropogenic sources has become an important element for sustainable resources management and land use planning. Accordingly, this research aims to estimate the vulnerability of NSSA by applying the DRASTIC model as well as utilising sensitivity analyses to evaluate the relative importance of the model parameters for aquifer vulnerability in the study area. The main objective is to demonstrate the combined use of the DRASTIC and the GIS techniques as an effective method for groundwater pollution risk assessment, and mapping the areas that are prone to deterioration of groundwater quality and quantity. Based on DRASTIC index (DI) values, a groundwater vulnerability map was produced using the GIS. The aquifer analysis in the study area highlighted the following key points: the northeastern and western parts of the NSSA were dominated by ‘High’ vulnerability classes while the northwestern and southeastern parts were characterised by ‘Medium’ vulnerability classes. The elevated central part of the study area displayed ‘Low’ aquifer vulnerability. The vulnerability map shows a relatively greater risk imposed on the northeastern part of the NSSA due to the larger pollution potential of intensive vegetable cultivation. Depth-to-water, topography and hydraulic conductivity parameters were found to be more effective in assessing aquifer vulnerability.

Landfill Risk Assessment on Groundwater Based on Vulnerability and Pollution Index

Many existing risk assessment methodologies heavily rely on complex physical models and probabilistic concepts, which are difficult to use and not suitable for a first-cut analysis. Meanwhile, most groundwater pollution risk assessment indices generally are solely based on groundwater vulnerability and ignore the consideration of the hazard of pollution source. In this paper, we developed a simple groundwater pollution risk index approach, which can be easily utilized in many developing countries. The approach is developed according to vulnerability of the aquifers and pollution source index, which is based on landfill treatment technology. Applications of this risk index approach to 22 formal landfill sites in Beijing show that 1, 2, 4, 10, 5 landfill sites can be classified as of high, medium high, medium, medium low, low risk level respectively. These results demonstrate that vulnerability assessment alone is not sufficient to groundwater pollution risk assessment. This simple risk assessment method is most suitable for a comparative assessment of a large number of pollution sources at a regional scale due to its lower cost and easy operability. It also allows prioritizes landfills for reclamation interventions and recommendation of required actions such that an efficient management of landfills could be accomplished.

Mapping the groundwater vulnerability for pollution at the pan African scale

We estimated vulnerability and pollution risk of groundwater at the pan-African scale. We therefore compiled the most recent continental scale information on soil, land use, geology, hydrogeology and climate in a Geographical Information System (GIS) at a resolution of 15km×15km and at the scale of 1:60,000,000. The groundwater vulnerability map was constructed by means of the DRASTIC method. The map reveals that groundwater is highly vulnerable in Central and West Africa, where the watertable is very low. In addition, very low vulnerability is found in the large sedimentary basins of the African deserts where groundwater is situated in very deep aquifers. The groundwater pollution risk map is obtained by overlaying the DRASTIC vulnerability map with land use. The northern, central and western part of the African continent is dominated by high pollution risk classes and this is very strongly related to shallow groundwater systems and the development of agricultural activities. Subsequently, we performed a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the relative importance of each parameter on groundwater vulnerability and pollution risk. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the removal of the impact of vadose zone, the depth of the groundwater, the hydraulic conductivity and the net recharge causes a large variation in the mapped vulnerability and pollution risk. The mapping model was validated using nitrate concentration data of groundwater as a proxy of pollution risk. Pan-African concentration data were inferred from a meta-analysis of literature data. Results shows a good match between nitrate concentration and the groundwater pollution risk classes. The pan African assessment of groundwater vulnerability and pollution risk is expected to be of particular value for water policy and for designing groundwater resources management programs. We expect, however, that this assessment can be strongly improved when better pan African monitoring data related to groundwater pollution will be integrated in the assessment methodology.

A GIS based DRASTIC model for assessing groundwater vulnerability of Katri Watershed, Dhanbad, India

Groundwater vulnerability assessment could be defined as the degree of assimilation capacity of the area to the contaminant from surrounding surface above the aquifer. It has become an important element for sustainable natural resource management and proper landuse planning. This study aims at estimating shallow aquifer vulnerability by applying the GIS based DRASTIC model in Katri watershed, Dhanbad, Jharkhand. The probable groundwater quality decline due to various anthropogenic activities within the Katri watershed has necessitated this study using a combination of DRASTIC and GIS method as an effective method for groundwater pollution risk assessment. This model is based on the seven hydrogeological data layers that provide the input to the modelling. It corresponds to the initials of seven layers i.e. Depth of water, net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of vadose zone and hydraulic Conductivity. The mapping of the DRASTIC index allows us to delineate zones with various degrees of pollution vulnerability. The study reveals that about 16.91 % of the watershed area is exposed to high-risk, 30.69 % exposed to medium-risk, and 52.4 % exposed to low risk. The south eastern and south western parts of the watershed are dominated by high vulnerability classes while the south, north western and lower middle portions are characterized by moderate vulnerability classes. The elevated northern, north eastern, and middle part of the study area displayed low aquifer vulnerability.

Groundwater vulnerability and pollution risk assessment with disparate models in karstic, porous, and fissured rock aquifers using remote sensing techniques and GIS in Anthemountas basin, Greece

Disparate methods of intrinsic groundwater vulnerability and remote sensing were applied in Anthemountas river basin (North Greece), covering an area of 374 km2. Three types of aquifers are present within the basin: porous, karstic, and aquifers of fissured rocks. Vulnerability and risk pollution maps were produced using the DRASTIC, EPIK, AVI, and DRASTIC-FM methods in a Geographic information system (GIS) context, and the results were compared and evaluated. The methods used different numbers of parameters with different weightings and produced relatively different results. The original DRASTIC method underestimates the vulnerability degrees in fissured rock aquifers, while in porous aquifers the discretization is poor, in contrast with the AVI method which gives more satisfactory results. The vulnerability of the fissured rock aquifer as estimated by the DRASTIC-FM method shows significant differences compared to the original DRASTIC method. Groundwater pollution risk is strongly dependant on vulnerability, and consequently the use of specialized vulnerability methods provides representative and more accurate results.

Risk assessment of groundwater pollution with a new methodological framework: application of Dempster–Shafer theory and GIS

Managing natural groundwater resources is challenged by nitrate pollution resulting from agricultural activities. This issue is emerging as an important environmental concern that needs to be addressed through effective groundwater management. Groundwater assessment is an important aspect of groundwater management, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This study focused on the Kerman Plain, which is exposed to intensive agricultural activities and land exploitation that result in intense land pollution. The effects of nitrate pollution may be controlled by applying specific measures. Dempster–Shafer theory (DST) was applied in this study to develop a new methodology for assessing pollution risk. Applying this theory as a pioneering approach to assessing groundwater pollution risk is the novel component of this research. This approach provides a major advantage by dealing with varying levels of precision related to information. The spatial association between DRASTIC parameters including D (depth of water), R (net recharge), A (aquifer media), S (soil media), T (topography), I (impact of vadose zone) and C (hydraulic conductivity) and underground nitrate occurrence was evaluated by applying bivariate DST to assign mass functions. Dempster’s rule of combination using GIS was then applied to determine a series of combined mass functions for multiple hydrogeological data layers. The uncertainty of system responses was directly addressed by the proposed methodology. Finally, the modified DRASTIC map with the highest validity and accuracy was selected and combined with the damage map. The comparison between nitrate distribution and vulnerability and the risk maps exhibit high similarity between different vulnerability degrees and nitrate concentrations. Long-term planning of preventive measures and associated developments can be aided by the regions with low and very low risks located in the northeast, northwest, and central regions.

Groundwater vulnerability and pollution risk assessment of porous aquifers to nitrate: Modifying the DRASTIC method using quantitative parameters

In the present study the DRASTIC method was modified to estimate vulnerability and pollution risk of porous aquifers to nitrate. The qualitative parameters of aquifer type, soil and impact of the vadose zone were replaced with the quantitative parameters of aquifer thickness, nitrogen losses from soil and hydraulic resistance. Nitrogen losses from soil were estimated based on climatic, soil and topographic data using indices produced by the GLEAMS model. Additionally, the class range of each parameter and the final index were modified using nitrate concentration correlation with four grading methods (natural breaks, equal interval, quantile and geometrical intervals). For this reason, seventy-seven (77) groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for nitrate. Land uses were added to estimate the pollution risk to nitrates. The two new methods, DRASTIC-PA and DRASTIC-PAN, were then applied in the porous aquifer of Anthemountas basin together with the initial versions of DRASTIC and the LOSN-PN index. The two modified methods displayed the highest correlations with nitrate concentrations. The two new methods provided higher discretisation of the vulnerability and pollution risk, whereas the high variance of the (ANOVA) F statistic confirmed the increase of the average concentrations of NO3−, increasing from low to high between the vulnerability and pollution risk classes. The importance of the parameters of hydraulic resistance of the vadose zone, aquifer thickness and land use was confirmed by single-parameter sensitivity analysis.

Quantitative assessment of groundwater pollution intensity on typical contaminated sites in China using grey relational analysis and numerical simulation

Groundwater vulnerability assessment is an important method for groundwater pollution risk assessment. However, vulnerability assessment results rarely consider groundwater pollution concentration. Few quantitative studies consider groundwater pollutant concentration in different hydrogeological conditions. HYDRUS-1D software can simulate different concentrations of pollutants reaching the shallow aquifer under some vadose zone conditions. However, HYDRUS-1D simulation parameter settings are complicated; thus, it is difficult to simulate groundwater pollution intensity (GPI) on the site with limited information. In this study, the issue of site data constraints for model predictions is solved. Ammonia–nitrogen is selected as an indicator, and a method for quantitative groundwater pollution assessment based on grey relational analysis (GRA) is proposed. According to two factors (inherent, extrinsic) of groundwater vulnerability assessment, and on the basis of the information from 18 contaminated sites, primary GPI control factors, including emission concentration, hydraulic conductivity, soil density and diffusion coefficient, are filtered using GRA. These four factors are utilized as variables to establish a multiple linear regression (MLR) equation, which is used to predict the GPI of polluted sites. Compared with a HYDRUS-1D simulation, the proposed GPI prediction method can effectively predict GPI with simpler input conditions. The established MLR equation satisfies a significance test and small error analysis. Comparative results between simulation values and regression values on the established case show that the regression values are closer to the measured value. Hence, the MLR equation is practical and can be applied for sensible groundwater source management and land use planning.

Risk assessment of groundwater pollution using Monte Carlo approach in an agricultural region: An example from Kerman Plain, Iran

In groundwater resource management, the risk assessment of groundwater pollution is an effective tool in arid and semi-arid regions, such as Kerman Plain, Iran. In addition to risk assessment, and the mapping of damage and pollution probability occurrence is considered as a fundamental phase of protective groundwater management in agricultural regions. To characterize risk index affecting the study area, a novel approach was developed by combining both damage map which was obtained by multiplying seven hydrogeological parameters of modified DRASTIC model with pollution and probability of pollution occurrence with consideration of uncertainty. The study area is located in an agricultural land; therefore, nitrate was used as a pollution parameter. The spatial distribution of nitrate concentration in the area was investigated by ordinary kriging. In addition, Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and normal distribution function were used to evaluate the uncertainty of this parameter and the probability of pollution occurrence in the study area. Risk assessment parameters were constructed, classified, and integrated in a GIS environment. Groundwater movement induces the transport of pollutants underground. Thus, we proposed a new methodology combining damage map and Monte Carlo simulation for probability and parameters uncertainty. The proposed method can be used to monitor pollution damage on a regional scale and ensure effective groundwater resource management for reducing the amount of pollution for future. Damage index and risk classification were compared; results indicate a high degree of similarity. The regions with low and very low risks are located in the northeast, northwest, and central parts, where further studies could be conducted for the subsequent development and long-term design of protective measures.

Assessing groundwater quality for irrigation using indicator kriging method

One of the key parameters influencing sprinkler irrigation performance is water quality. In this study, the spatial variability of groundwater quality parameters (EC, SAR, Na+, Cl−, HCO3 − and pH) was investigated by geostatistical methods and the most suitable areas for implementation of sprinkler irrigation systems in terms of water quality are determined. The study was performed in Fasa county of Fars province using 91 water samples. Results indicated that all parameters are moderately to strongly spatially correlated over the study area. The spatial distribution of pH and HCO3 − was mapped using ordinary kriging. The probability of concentrations of EC, SAR, Na+ and Cl− exceeding a threshold limit in groundwater was obtained using indicator kriging (IK). The experimental indicator semivariograms were often fitted well by a spherical model for SAR, EC, Na+ and Cl−. For HCO3 − and pH, an exponential model was fitted to the experimental semivariograms. Probability maps showed that the risk of EC, SAR, Na+ and Cl− exceeding the given critical threshold is higher in lower half of the study area. The most proper agricultural lands for sprinkler irrigation implementation were identified by evaluating all probability maps. The suitable areas for sprinkler irrigation design were determined to be 25,240 hectares, which is about 34 percent of total agricultural lands and are located in northern and eastern parts. Overall the results of this study showed that IK is an appropriate approach for risk assessment of groundwater pollution, which is useful for a proper groundwater resources management.

Vulnerability mapping and risk of groundwater of the oasis of Figuig, Morocco: application of DRASTIC and AVI methods

Climate change, population growth, and agriculture contribute to a qualitative and quantitative deterioration of groundwater reserves. The protection of natural water resources is crucial, especially in arid areas. The purpose of this paper is to map the vulnerability and risk mapping of a Moroccan aquifer, i.e., the Figuig oasis, using DRASTIC (depth of water (D), net recharge (R), aquifer media (A), soil (S), topography (T), impact of the vadose zone (I), and hydraulic conductivity (C)) and AVI (aquifer vulnerability index) methods. DRASTIC vulnerability maps have been drawn up for 4 years (1995, 2004, 2008, and 2010). Thematic maps were performed by both methods using the geographic information system (GIS). The DRASTIC method was modified in order to take into account the numerous faults. The AVI method allows estimating the transfer of a pollutant from the surface to the water level. Both methods give consistent results, enhancing high, medium, and moderate vulnerability. Risk assessment of groundwater pollution by septic tanks has been achieved by integrating the modified DRASTIC vulnerability map. Three areas with high, moderate, and low risk assessment have been identified and mapped.

Groundwater Pollution Risk Assessment in the Quanzhou Area

Groundwater pollution under the intense of human activities in the Quanzhou coastal area strongly threatens the supply safety of groundwater sources. Based on hydrogeological conditions and the pollution load in this field, the multi-index evaluation method of pollution sources and improved DRASTIC model were employed to assess groundwater pollution risk. The rating and weights of each important factor were determined by expert evaluation method and three-level groundwater pollution risk index were obtained using ARCGIS software. The results show that groundwater pollution risk at the industrial-intensive areas are dominant. So it is necessary for government to control the emmision of pollutant from inducstry in the Quanzhou area.

Conceptual model for groundwater status and risk assessment - case study of the Zagreb aquifer system

This paper presents a conceptual model of the Zagreb aquifer system. The conceptual model can be applied to groundwater status risk assessment and pollution risk assessment at the local scale, thus satisfying both environmental and preventative/limitation objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Groundwater Directive (GWD). Its main purpose is to apply a risk assessment procedure, according to the WFD requirements, and to serve as a foundation for setting up a numerical model of flow in both the saturated and unsaturated zones in order to identify pressure and impact effects on groundwater quality. The model is divided into two parts, taking into account the WFD requirement to assess a risk for a wide range of source-pathway-receptor relationships. The Global Conceptual Model (GCM) provides insight into the processes and pressures at the level of the groundwater system. It contains the geological and hydrogeological characterization of the Zagreb aquifer system and the description of the most significant point and diffuse sources and pathways of pollution and processes influencing pollutant behaviour in saturated and unsaturated zone of the groundwater system. The main pollutants of the Zagreb aquifer system are potentially toxic metals, nitrates, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and chlorinated aliphatics. A Local Conceptual Model (LCM) supports parameterization of the whole groundwater system through the description of heterogeneities and flow and solute parameters of the system components at two sites representing local conditions in the saturated (Stara Loza) and unsaturated (Kosnica) zones. This concept can be regarded as an effective tool for groundwater management of the groundwater system and its compartments and for communicating the conditions in complex groundwater systems with experts, policy makers and general public in an understandable way.

Geospatial Investigation into Groundwater Pollution and Water Quality Supported by Satellite Data: A Case Study from the Evros River (Eastern Mediterranean)

Managing water resources, in terms of both quality and quantity, in transboundary rivers is a difficult and challenging task that requires efficient cross-border cooperation and transparency. Groundwater pollution risk assessment and mapping techniques over the full catchment area are important tools that could be used as part of these water resource management efforts, to estimate pollution pressures and optimize land planning processes. The Evros river catchment is the second largest river in Eastern Europe and sustains a population of 3.6 million people in three different countries (Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece). This study provides detailed information on the main pollution sources and pressures in the Evros catchment and, for the first time, applies, assesses and evaluates a groundwater pollution risk mapping technique using satellite observations (Landsat NDVI) and an extensive dataset of field measurements covering different seasons and multiple years. We found that approximately 40 % of the Greek part of the Evros catchment is characterized as of high and very high pollution risk, while 14 % of the study area is classified as of moderate risk. Both the modeled and measured water quality status of the river showed large spatiotemporal variations consistent with the strong anthropogenic pressures in this system, especially on the northern and central segments of the catchment. The pollutants identified illustrate inputs of agrochemicals and urban wastes in the river. High correlation coefficients (R between 0.79 and 0.85) were found between estimated pollution risks and measured concentrations of those chemical parameters that are mainly attributed to anthropogenic activities rather than in situ biogeochemical processes. The pollution risk method described here could be used elsewhere as a decision support tool for mitigating the impact of hazardous human activities and improving management of groundwater resources.

The multivariate statistical structure of DRASTIC model

Summary An assessment of aquifer intrinsic vulnerability was conducted in the Sordo river basin, a small watershed located in the Northeast of Portugal that drains to a lake used as public resource of drinking water. The method adopted to calculate intrinsic vulnerability was the DRASTIC model, which hinges on a weighted addition of seven hydrogeologic features, but was combined with a pioneering approach for feature reduction and adjustment of feature weights to local settings, based on a multivariate statistical method. Basically, with the adopted statistical technique-Correspondence Analysis-one identified and minimized redundancy between DRASTIC features, allowing for the calculation of a composite index based on just three of them: topography, recharge and aquifer material. The combined algorithm was coined vector-DRASTIC and proved to describe more realistically intrinsic vulnerability than DRASTC. The proof resulted from a validation of DRASTIC and vector-DRASTIC by the results of a groundwater pollution risk assessment standing on the spatial distribution of land uses and nitrate concentrations in groundwater, referred to as [ NO 3 - ]-DRASTIC method. Vector-DRASTIC and [ NO 3 - ]-DRASTIC portray the Sordo river basin as an environment with a self-capability to neutralize contaminants, preventing its propagation downstream. This observation was confirmed by long-standing low nitrate concentrations in the lake water and constitutes additional validation of vector-DRASTIC results. Nevertheless, some general recommendations are proposed in regard to agriculture management practices for water quality protection, as part of an overall watershed approach.

Health risk assessment of groundwater pollution—A case study of typical city in North China plain

This article presents an application of assessing human health risk in typical city of North China plain. Combined with water quality and multi-element analysis, Pb, Cd, Cr6+, Mn, NO3−, F−, and As in groundwater samples were chosen to be used for human health risk assessment of drinking water pathway and dermal contact pathway, and results show a good effect. Results indicate that (1) poor water quality is caused by salinity and hardness overstandard; (2) in noncarcinogenic risk, samples that do not pose noncarcinogenic risk only account for 28.46%; in carcinogenic risk, samples that do not pose carcinogenic risk account for 73.08%; (3) the noncarcinogenic risk in the study area decreased in the following order: NO3−>Mn>As>F−>Cr6+>Cd>Pb and the carcinogenic risk of the study area decreased in the following order: As>Cd=NO3−=Mn=F−=Cr6+=Cd=Pb=0, because the slop factors were not available for the other pollutants, except for As; and (4) in terms of whole study area, the main contribute order of drinking water pathway and dermal contact pathway in human body is drinking water pathway>dermal contact pathway.

Risk evaluation of groundwater pollution by pesticides in China: a short review

Abstract The development of agriculture is closely related to the application of pesticides in China. Excessive use of pesticides has indeed prevented harm by pests and largely improved the product of crops but has also resulted in high groundwater pollution risks. It is increasingly important to recognize groundwater pollution in agricultural areas and evaluate the groundwater pollution risk caused by pesticides. In this research, four major methods of risk evaluation are reviewed. To provide useful advice on the screening of these methods in actual application, the advantages and limitations of each method are stated in detail. Domestic and international research conditions are also reviewed in this paper. Recently, combined use of the existing evaluation methods has become the focus of international research. Some domestic researchers have attempted to use such combined methods to evaluate groundwater pollution risks, but most are based on the DRASTIC index method. Aiming at the deficiencies of the research in this field in China, prospects are considered for the development of risk assessment for groundwater pollution by pesticides. Four aspects were evaluated, including the establishment of a theoretical system, comprehensive consideration of the impact factors, the development of validation methods and combined evaluation methods, and the strengthening of monitoring work and groundwater pollution risk assessment in arid areas. This work enhances the understanding of groundwater pollution risks and provides useful advice on the development of risk evaluation for groundwater pollution by pesticides.