How can surface water be protected from contamination?

Protecting surface water from contamination is best achieved through watershed management practices and regulations. This approach involves a comprehensive strategy that addresses land use, pollution sources, and water quality within a watershed — the area of land that drains into a common water body. Effective watershed management aims to maintain and restore the natural functions of the watershed, promote sustainable practices, and implement regulations that limit activities leading to contamination.

This can include establishing buffer zones along waterways, implementing erosion control measures, regulating agricultural runoff, managing stormwater, and protecting wetlands, all of which help to prevent pollutants from entering surface water. By focusing on the entire watershed rather than just the water source, comprehensive management ensures that all potential sources of contamination are addressed, effectively safeguarding the water quality over the long term.

Other options might suggest various methods, but they do not encompass the holistic framework required for effective surface water protection. Reducing the number of users might have a limited impact on contamination, as fewer users do not necessarily ensure that existing users or land practices are not contributing to pollution. Treating all water with chemicals could potentially address existing contamination but does not prevent new contamination from occurring. Similarly, preventing rainwater runoff could mitigate some issues, but is not as comprehensive as addressing the entire watershed context.