The real concern is not the water, but the dissolved or suspended materials it carries. Despite the fact that water is used on a daily basis, its protection is sometimes overlooked. When it becomes contaminated, it may become unusable or it may become a vehicle to carry pollution off the nursery. What is out of sight is often out of mind, but water quality should be at the forefront of pollution prevention planning. Pollutants may be loosely defined as any material that degrades the environment.
Fertilizers promote growth of algae and aquatic vegetation beyond what is naturally sustainable.
This growth reduces water clarity, often covering the entire surface of a pond or lake. Excess nitrate levels from fertilizer can contaminate drinking water supplies. This is particularly a problem in ground water. Many pesticides are harmful to aquatic organisms, and some are dangerous to humans as well. Insecticides are a particular concern because of their effects on aquatic insects, which many other organisms rely upon as a food source.