How do the Surface Water Treatment Rules define surface water?

How do the Surface Water Treatment Rules define surface water?

• A. All water that infiltrates from the surface to the groundwater
• B. All water open to the atmosphere and but not subject to surface runoff
• C. All water open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff
• D. Marine water that intrudes on aquifers

Answer: (C)

Surface water is defined as water that is open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff. This includes water in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds—essentially any water on the surface that rainfall and runoff can influence. The importance of this definition lies in identifying sources that are more exposed to contamination from surface activities and weather events, which is why the Surface Water Treatment Rules apply more stringent treatment requirements to these sources. Infiltration waters moving toward groundwater, water open to the atmosphere but not affected by runoff, and marine intrusion into aquifers do not fit this definition, so they are not considered surface water under the rules.

Surface water is defined as water that is open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff. This includes water in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds—essentially any water on the surface that rainfall and runoff can influence. The importance of this definition lies in identifying sources that are more exposed to contamination from surface activities and weather events, which is why the Surface Water Treatment Rules apply more stringent treatment requirements to these sources. Infiltration waters moving toward groundwater, water open to the atmosphere but not affected by runoff, and marine intrusion into aquifers do not fit this definition, so they are not considered surface water under the rules.