Introduction:
Fertilizers are essential for enhancing crop productivity, but they can also become a significant source of water pollution when not managed properly. Here are some ways in which fertilizers contribute to water pollution:

Leaching:
- When fertilizers are applied in excess or at the wrong time, they can leach into the soil and eventually make their way into water bodies through runoff. This can lead to an increase in nutrient levels in the water, causing eutrophication.

Surface Runoff:
- During heavy rainfall or irrigation, fertilizers can be washed off the soil surface and into nearby rivers, lakes, and streams. This runoff carries excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can disrupt the ecological balance of aquatic ecosystems.

Groundwater Contamination:
- Fertilizers can seep into the groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources. High levels of nitrates in drinking water can pose serious health risks, especially for infants and pregnant women.

Toxic Algal Blooms:
- Excessive nutrients from fertilizers can fuel the growth of algae in water bodies, leading to harmful algal blooms. These blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to aquatic life and even humans.

Solutions:
- Farmers can adopt precision agriculture techniques to reduce fertilizer use and minimize runoff.
- Implementing buffer strips and vegetative cover can help absorb excess nutrients before they reach water bodies.
- Using slow-release fertilizers and organic alternatives can also reduce the risk of water pollution.