Summary Cleaning ground water contaminated with one or more pesticides is complicated, time-consuming, expensive and usually not feasible. The best solution is prevention. The following management practices will help to retain pesticides in target areas and keep them out of ground-water resources. Consider the Vulnerability of the Site Determine the susceptibility of the soil to leaching. Soil texture, organic matter content, soil moisture and permeability affect pesticide movement.
Some pesticides readily move through soils that are well-drained, sandy, or low in organic matter.
Determine, to the extent possible, the depth of the water table and the relative permeability of the geologic layers between the soil surface and the ground water. If sinkholes are present, surface water runoff can quickly reach ground water with little natural soil filtering. Evaluate the Pesticide Select pesticides that are less likely to leach. Pesticides that have the greatest potential to leach to ground water are highly water soluble, relatively persistent and do not adsorb to soil. The Cooperative Extension Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service can assist you in selecting the appropriate pesticide.