Why should you avoid filling pesticide equipment next to surface waters?

Filling pesticide equipment next to surface waters should be avoided primarily to prevent contamination of water sources. Pesticides can easily wash off or spill into nearby bodies of water, which poses a significant risk to aquatic life and can compromise drinking water supplies. Contaminated water can have hazardous effects not just on the ecosystem, but also on human health, leading to potential legal and environmental consequences. By choosing to fill equipment away from these areas, applicators can significantly reduce the risk of accidental pesticide runoff and help ensure safe and responsible pesticide usage.

While the other reasons provided may have some merit, they do not directly address the critical issue of environmental safety and public health that arises from contaminating waterways.