Pesticides and Water Quality

When you apply a pesticide, it may drift in the air or be washed into a storm drain by irrigation or rain.

• During application, airborne particles can drift and land on surface water, or rain can wash particles from the air.
• For several days after pesticide application, irrigation and rain may wash pesticide residues into storm drains.
• Chemicals may also enter storm drains directly or indirectly through spills, illegal dumping, or rinse water from product containers.
• Stormwater runoff empties into creeks and creeks empty into rivers.

• Since problems with runoff may even occur when products are used properly, avoid use of pesticides and use alternatives to pesticides whenever possible.
• Follow all instructions on proper use of pesticides and other chemicals.
• Store and dispose of all pesticides properly.

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Illustration by Celeste Rusconi