PEBAT – Groundwater Nitrate

This data layer is the Groundwater Nitrate Metric of the Parcel Environment Benefit Assessment Tool (PEBAT). It was developed by the University of Minnesota. PEBAT was created to assist in the prioritization of public land acquisitions in Minnesota. It uses the 40-acre public land survey parcels as summary units and has 11 metrics. The Groundwater Nitrate Metric predicts areas where the groundwater is susceptible to increased levels of nitrate. It combines information on drinking water supply management areas, sensitivity to surface contamination, and agricultural activities. High levels of nitrate in groundwater are a threat to human health and can increase water treatment costs.