What step can be taken to prevent the spread of contamination from a polluted well?

Installing proper monitoring and remediation systems is crucial for preventing the spread of contamination from a polluted well. These systems allow for ongoing observation of water quality and detection of contaminants, which is essential for managing and mitigating pollution. Monitoring helps identify changes in the water chemistry over time, while remediation strategies can be put in place to clean up contaminants or to treat the groundwater to ensure it meets safety standards. This proactive approach is key to protecting public health and the environment.

Other methods, while they may contribute to the overall management of well contamination, do not directly address the immediacy of contamination issues as effectively as monitoring and remediation systems. Drilling deeper wells may not guarantee a source of clean water, as deeper aquifers can also be affected by the same pollution. Eliminating agricultural activities, while potentially helpful, is not always practical or feasible and doesn't tackle existing contamination. Covering the well with a solid cap can prevent physical contaminants from entering but does not address the issues of existing pollution or the need for ongoing monitoring.