What is one way water could become contaminated by pesticides?

Runoff is a significant pathway through which pesticides can contaminate water. When rainfall occurs or when fields are irrigated, water can flow over the land and pick up pesticides that have been applied to crops or soil. This process can lead to the movement of these harmful chemicals into nearby streams, rivers, lakes, or groundwater sources.

Pesticides may adhere to soil particles or dissolve in water to some extent, and when the water moves, it carries these substances along with it, potentially impacting aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies. Understanding runoff is crucial for implementing effective environmental protection measures and for making responsible decisions concerning pesticide application.

Other factors mentioned, like decreased temperatures, increased soil fertility, and high plant growth, do not directly contribute to the contamination of water with pesticides. Instead, they represent conditions that might influence pesticide application or efficacy but do not facilitate the movement of pesticides into water sources.