Improperly maintained turfgrass will require more resource inputs and provide significantly less benefit to society. In general, highly water-soluble chemicals leach faster than the less soluble ones, although high solubility alone does not imply that a chemical will contaminate groundwater. Depending on their composition, most compounds are more or less strongly adsorbed on soil organic matter, the thatch layer and clay. Adsorbed chemicals do not move in bulk with the water, but are retained while the water moves toward the groundwater-saturated zone. Adsorbed compounds are gradually released back into the soil solution where they are broken down.
Most modern chemicals are moderately persistent or non-persistent.
Persistence is reported as half-life, that is, the time it takes for about half of a given amount to break down. None of the above factors, taken by itself, should be used to condemn a pesticide. However, a pesticide with high mobility, low adsorption and moderate to high persistence is more prone to contaminate than one with low mobility, high adsorption and low persistence. All equipment that is used to spread or spray nutrients and pesticides should be calibrated frequently to ensure accurate delivery and placement of materials. Over-applying can cause injury to turf, humans or water supplies.