Which statement best describes nutrient runoff prevention?

• A. Keeping fertilizers from reaching impervious surfaces is part of prevention
• B. Ignoring gutters prevents runoff
• C. Fertilizers on driveways promote runoff
• D. None of the above

Answer: (A)

Preventing nutrient runoff means stopping fertilizers from reaching surfaces that water cannot soak into. Water runs off impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and roofs and can carry nutrients straight into storm drains and nearby rivers or lakes. When fertilizer is kept off these surfaces and applied directly to the soil or lawn in appropriate amounts, more of the nutrients stay in the soil where plants can use them, rather than being washed away. That’s why keeping fertilizers from reaching impervious surfaces is the best description of prevention. Ignoring gutters doesn’t prevent runoff, and fertilizers left on driveways actually promote runoff, so those options don’t describe prevention.