Water pollution by pesticides

The pesticides most commonly found in groundwater include the weed-killers alachlor, atrazine and cyanazine. Without exposure to air and sunlight, pesticides that would have normally broken down in two months may last 6 months to a year underground. According to health officials, the shallow wells used by most farm families are more prone to contamination because the people drink the water straight whereas in industrial areas the water is treated. Even the best treatment available is not significantly reducing the concentration of pesticides in water and the only way to reduce health risks is to prevent the pollution in the first place.