Groundwater levels have dropped (from the 1960s until 2000) -5-10 m regionally, >15 m locally. Severe reduction m ^^tural'background'grcHjneKvater quality ^/an'issue, ^1998 u°nt!l itWfthe'ie^d^f'dat^avaHabfot-^idSpread but moderate N and pathogens pollution due to Abstraction of groundwater exerts pressure, local and moderate increased pumping lifts, reduced borehole yields and baseflow, as well as degradation of ecosystems. Widespread and severe naturally occurring As at 10-200 pg/l, widespread but moderate N0S at up to 200 mg/l and pesticides at up to 0.1 pg/l. Some87% of the aquifer area is cropland, -5% urban/industrial area. Population -189100 (density 47 inhabitants/km').