Which of the following is an example of a surface-water advisory?

• A. Maintain a 66-foot buffer area between the application area and surface water sources like a stream
• B. Apply pesticide directly adjacent to surface water
• C. Wait for dry conditions
• D. No buffer required

Answer: (A)

Keeping pesticides away from surface water is about protecting water quality by reducing any chance of runoff or drift reaching streams, ponds, or lakes. A surface-water advisory promotes practices that create a safe distance between where you apply and nearby water bodies. Maintaining a buffer zone, such as a 66-foot strip between the application area and surface water sources like streams, directly implements that protection by physically separating the spray area from water. This reduces the likelihood that rain, irrigation, or wind-driven drift will carry pesticides into the water. The other options either bring application closer to water, focus on weather timing without referencing water protection, or say no buffer is needed, which do not align with safeguarding surface water. So the example of a surface-water advisory is maintaining that buffer.