The goal of the Arkansas Groundwater Monitoring program is to prevent the state's ground water from being polluted by agricultural chemicals and, if pollution is found, to respond appropriately. This goal provides for the protection of the public health and welfare, the propagation and protection of terrestrial and aquatic life, the protection of the environment, the operation of existing industries and agriculture, and the maintenance and enhancement of the long-term economic health of the state. The agency recognizes that preserving groundwater quality is far less costly and more ecologically sound than restoring groundwater to its natural state, a process that may not be technically or economically viable.

The agency monitors groundwater in areas that may be considered vulnerable to agricultural pesticide contamination based on area use patterns and the concentration of agricultural production land in the vicinity. The agency has been monitoring groundwater since 2004 using an EPA approved Pesticide Management Plan which allows the agency to work with the Arkansas Department of Health to determine actions to be taken in the event pesticide contamination is confirmed.

The Ground Water Program is a voluntary program that offers quality lab testing of groundwater samples from agricultural wells to help ensure that producers and applicators are safely using pesticides in accordance with label directions to protect and preserve groundwater. Find a collection sites map for samples taken in Arkansas.

The Ground Water Monitoring program targets both point source and nonpoint source contamination by investigating possible causes of contamination when a pesticide is detected in a groundwater sample. The best way to avoid groundwater contamination is to implement best management practices for pesticide use. Find a collection sites map for samples taken in Arkansas. This does not guarantee that contamination will not occur, but taking these steps is a preventative method to protect the groundwater resources of Arkansas.