Runoff is defined as excess water that the ground does not absorb after a storm. Runoff collects various particles on its way down, such as pesticides and nutrients, from the surrounding area, and moves them to nearby bodies of water. Some nutrients carried by runoff include: nitrate, ammonium and phosphate; all of which are found in golf course turf fertilizer (experience). When these excess chemicals enter the water, they create an imbalance in the ecosystem. This imbalance can be harmful to residents both in and around the body of water. Affected individuals in water may be subject to decreased dissolved oxygen levels, making it more difficult for animals to breathe. Water acidity levels can increase, causing mutations or other physical harm to animals. Many land animals consume their water and sometimes even their food from nearby bodies of water; such as lakes, streams, rivers and oceans. Ingesting excessive amounts of chemicals would most likely make animals very ill or even die. If the chemicals themselves do not harm land animals, the lack of aquatic animals to feed on will diminish, causing them to go hungry or forcing them to move to new habitats. (Thesis)Some North Carolina golf courses participated in a surface water quality study uncovering the movement of fertilizers and pesticides (Ryals, Genter, and Leidy, 1998). Water samples were taken every two weeks. Ryals, Genter and Leidy (1998) accounted for four pesticides (atrazine, chlorothalonil [Daconil®], chlorpyrifos [Dursban®] and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and two nutrients (nitrogen and phosphate). Data taken from the stud farm......amidst papery plants and algae......c showed minimal impact on rangeland surface water (Perlman, 2013). The recommended phosphate (PO4) level for a body of fresh water is 0.1 to 1 mg/L (Bartenhagen, 2013). Ammonium (NH4) levels vary with freshwater temperature and pH (Bartenhagen, 2013) (DeBrosse, 2013). With a healthy pH of 7 or 8, the corresponding ammonium level should be around 0.1 to 1 mg/L. Ammonium only exists in the atmosphere before transforming into nitrate for about five to ten days through nitrification. Since healthy pH levels are between 7 and 8, extreme values ​​would make fresh water too acidic or too basic, making it inhospitable to life (DeBrosse, 2013). Recommended levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) in cold fresh water are between 6 and 8 mg/L. The temperature of fresh water varies depending on the temperature of the outside air. If all these characteristics are met, the body of water will have reached its eutrophic state..