Haryana has an important source of drinking water, irrigation and industrial supply in ground water. However, the quality of groundwater varies considerably throughout the state because of variations in geology, geomorphology, rainfall, aquifer characteristics, agricultural intensity, urbanization and groundwater extraction. This mini-review compiles the findings of government reports and peer-reviewed studies on the spatial distribution, sources and impacts of salinity, fluoride and nitrate contamination in Haryana. Evidence available suggests that relatively fresh groundwater is generally found in the north-eastern districts and areas affected by river and canal recharge. Saline and sodic groundwater is more common in the arid and semi-arid western, south-western and poorly drained central districts. Parts of Panipat, Bhiwani, Hisar, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Mahendragarh and adjoining areas have reported fluoride enrichment. Nitrate contamination is more spatially diffuse and is mostly associated with fertilizer application, livestock waste, sewage leakage, septic systems and poor sanitation. These contaminants reduce the safety of drinking-water, increase non-carcinogenic health risk and affect agricultural productivity through soil salinization, sodicity and ion toxicity. Children may be especially vulnerable to health risks from fluoride and nitrate. Hence, Haryana requires aquifer-specific monitoring, village-level water-quality mapping, conjunctive use of canal and groundwater, regulation of agrochemical inputs, managed aquifer recharge, and locally appropriate water-treatment systems. The decline in ground water quality in Haryana should be viewed as an integrated problem of geography, environment, agriculture & public health, not just as a water treatment issue.