Many pesticides applied to lawns move in the soil with water. Overwatering may cause the pesticide to leach and eventually contaminate the groundwater. On a square foot basis many homeowners use large quantities of fertilizers on their lawns. Fertilizer over-use can negatively impact the environment. Fertilizers can run off the soil surface and contaminate nearby streams and lakes.
Fertilizers also have the potential to contaminate groundwater when over-applied.
The nitrogen applied to lawns is converted to nitrate by biological processes in the soil. Nitrate is mobile in soils and can leach into the groundwater. High levels of nitrates in water collected from wells can be hazardous to your health. Fertilizer over-use can negatively impact the health of your lawn. The combination of large amounts of fertilizer, too much water, and water at the wrong time of day sets up the perfect environment for many turfgrass diseases.