Many people think of groundwater contamination as a problem caused solely by commercial and industrial activity. According to the Hicksville Water District this is simply not true. The activities of the average homeowner can also have a detrimental impact on our water supply. Pesticides and fertilizers when improperly applied can have an adverse impact on our drinking water supply.

"The proper selection, storage and use of garden products are the primary measures that can be taken to prevent contamination," said Hicksville Water District Commissioner and Board Chairman Richard A Humann. "Chemicals must be kept in well-ventilated, cool, dry locations and must also be sealed in clearly labeled original leak proof containers. It is imperative that spills be quickly contained, cleaned or neutralized and properly disposed of. Homeowners should always apply a minimum amount of pesticides and fertilizers in accordance with the manufacturer's label instructions. While purchasing the proper amount of chemicals to complete the specific job will also minimize the amount to be disposed of later on."

According to Humann, using more chemicals than is necessary will cause more harm to the environment than good. He suggests that when applying pesticides and fertilizers a homeowner should always use common sense and become familiar with the chemical product to determine the impact of use. "Just imagine the amount of fertilizer applied to the typical Long Island lawn every year," he said. "Maybe it's four 50-pound bags throughout the season. Now multiply that by the approximately 750,000 homes across Nassau and Suffolk counties. That's a lot of fertilizer."

Humann added, "Asking the question 'is the product suitable for the application?' and always following the label directions for use and disposal is an absolute must. Homeowners should always look for alternative 'non' or less hazardous products for performing the job. For example, nitrogen pollution can be prevented by using recommended amounts of slow-release fertilizer instead of fast-release fertilizer."

Organic fertilizers are excellent because they break down slowly and release small quantities of nitrates. Cottonseed meal, bone meal and manure are examples of organic fertilizers. Consumers should also choose biodegradable insecticides and fungicides. These biodegradable chemicals break down into harmless substances in two to 21 days depending upon chemical composition.

Homeowners can play an important significant role in the protection of our groundwater supply. By employing simple common sense measures, homeowners can safely use fertilizers and lawn chemicals without adversely impacting the environment and our precious groundwater supply.