Which of the following is NOT a listed way surface water can become polluted with pesticide?

• A. Drift
• B. Accidental application into water
• C. Disposal of waste at unapproved sites
• D. Filtration through soil to groundwater

Answer: (D)

Pollution of surface water from pesticides mainly happens through processes that affect water bodies at or near the surface. Spray drift can carry pesticides into streams, rivers, or ponds; accidental application into water means a spill or direct contamination of a surface water body; and disposing of waste at unapproved sites can lead to runoff or leaching that washes pesticides into surface water. These pathways involve movement on or just below the surface where water bodies reside.

Filtration through soil to groundwater, on the other hand, describes downward movement through the soil profile into the groundwater system. That affects groundwater quality rather than surface water directly, so it isn’t a listed way surface water becomes polluted.