In most cases, prevention is simpler and less expensive than the cure. Impacts of Land Use on Your Drinking Water Supply Activities that occur on the land surface can have a negative effect on your drinking water supply. Even if activities are well managed, accidents and spills can still happen. Aquifers close to the surface are especially vulnerable to contamination because of the relatively short travel distance from the ground surface to the aquifer. Deep aquifers are also vulnerable, especially if they are connected to the surface by fractures or sinkholes, such as in the carbonate bedrock of central and northwest Ohio.
Urban areas have many activities occurring that can potentially contaminate an aquifer.
Potential pollution sources are industry, fertilizers from lawns and gardens, construction sites, and street runoff of oil, gas and road salt. Vegetation, which normally slows the rate at which contaminants travel, is scarce in urban areas, allowing contaminants to more easily enter the soil and travel faster over land. As a homeowner, we encourage you to learn about things that can be done around your home to help protect your ground water resources.