This site provides information on the environmental fate of pesticides, how water may become contaminated with pesticides, and how contamination can be prevented.

Groundwater/Surface Water

Protecting Water from Pesticide Pollution

Water is one of our most important resources. The Earth's freshwater is stored in lakes, rivers, and streams, or below ground in aquifers. Water collecting on the ground, or in a stream, river, lake, sea or ocean, is called surface water. Groundwater is below the soil surface and develops from the seepage or infiltration of water into the ground. As water moves, both on the surface, and under the ground, suspended or dissolved substances such as pesticides can move with it. Because surface and groundwater are interconnected, cross contamination can occur.

This site provides information on the environmental fate of pesticides, how water may become contaminated with pesticides, and how contamination can be prevented. A glossary of important terms is located at the end.

Photos courtesy of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Ron Gardner

• Follow these links for pesticide stewardship information on Pesticidestewardship.org
  • -Pesticide fate after application is explained
  • -Pesticide runoff is explained.
  • -Pesticide leaching is explained.
  • -Practices that prevent contamination are provided on this page.
  • -How do pesticides contaminate well water is explained.
  • -Glossary of surface and groundwater terms
  • -Resources and References for Protecting Water

Authored by Ronald D. Gardner

--Rongardner 18:31, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

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